Veteran Bollywood actor-screenwriter Kader Khan dies at 81

The news of his death was conveyed by his son.

The actor, who entertained cine-goers of popular Indian cinema with his roles as either a comedian or a villain, was suffering from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a degenerative disease that causes loss of balance, difficulty in walking and dementia.

Recently he had been complaining of breathlessness and was being treated for pneumonia too.

The doctors had moved him from a regular ventilator to BiPAP ventilator.

Kader Khan, who was Afghan-born, had acted in over 300 films after his debut film in the 1973 film Daag.

While he played both villain and comedian and often the father of popular Bollywood heroes and heroines, his many roles were as comic villain.

His comic timing was also highly acclaimed and often with actors like Govinda or Shakti Kapoor or Paresh Rawal he would have the popular audience of Hindi films in splits.

He was also a prolific screenwriter for Bollywood films in the 1970s and 1980s.

He had graduated from Ismail Yusuf College affiliated to Bombay University. Before entering the film industry he was teaching Civil Engineering at M. H. Saboo Siddik College of Engineering.

He appeared as villain in films like Parvarish, Dhan Dhaulat, Lootmaar, Qurbani, Bulundi, Meri Awaaz Suno, Sanam Teri Kasam, Naseeb and Naukar Biwi Ka between 1976 to 1982.

However it was only from 1982, that he gained popularity as villain with success of films with the lead hero being either Jeetendra or Rajesh Khanna.

His first attempt at comedy was with Himmatwala and Aaj Ka Daur.

He started doing main comedy roles from 1989 onwards, with films like Sikka, Kishen Kanhaiya, Hum, Ghar Parivaar, Bol Radha Bol and continued through the 90s with comedy roles in Aankhen, Taqdeerwala, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Dulhe Raja, Coolie No.1, Saajan Chale Sasural, Sooryavamsham, Judaai, Aunty No.1 and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan among others.

Sharing screen space in several films, legendary actor Amitab Bachchan on Friday had prayed for his speedy recovery amid rumours that he had passed away.

Amitabh Bachchan hearing the news of his death tweeted: "T 3045 - Kadar Khan passes away .. sad depressing news .. my prayers and condolences .. a brilliant stage artist a most compassionate and accomplished talent on film .. a writer of eminence; in most of my very successful films.. a delightful company.. and a mathematician!!"

Union Minister and actor Smriti Irani tweeted: "If you were a late 80s-90s kid who watched Hindi films, chances are you encountered the magic of Kader Khan. Never had the privilege of meeting him but if I ever had I would say ‘ thank you for the laughter, thank you for your craft’ #RIPKaderKhan"