Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan mourn Pran's demise

Mumbai, July 13: "A gentleman of the finest order, an admirable colleague and a considerate human" is how Amitabh Bachchan described Pran, his co-star of many films, who passed away today after a prolonged illness at the age of 93.

"A gentleman of the finest order...an admirable colleague ....a thorough professional .. a master of disguise in the characters he played .. a delightful companion after 'office hours' .. and a considerate human," Bachchan wrote on his blog in his tribute to Pran.

"Pran Saheb....! Another stalwart leaves us, and this massive and imposing Film Industry edifice, tottering by the removal of the giant pillars that held it up, suffers another deathly blow.... 'At this time of our lives', as a close relative once sadly said 'we do not make friends any more, we lose them'!

"What shall remain thankfully, shall be the immense volume of documented work that they leave behind, a work that has been laboured sweated and bloodied over years and years of harsh and severe commitment! We don't make the likes of them anymore...," Bachchan wrote.

Bollywood's famous villain was instrumental in getting Bachchan his career's first hit Zanjeer, which also saw him giving one of the finest performances of his career as Sher Khan.

Bachchan, who worked with Pran in films like Amar Akbar Anthony, Kasauti, Majbor, Don, Kaalia, Naseeb, Nastik, Sharaabi, Andha Kanoon and Inquilab, said the veteran actor was a thorough professional. They last worked together in Mrityudaata where Pran had a cameo.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan tweeted:

PTI