AK Hangal, the veteran Bollywood actor, dies at 95

Hangal acted in more than 140 movies and was last seen in the film Hamsey Hai Jahaan.

AK Hangal at a fashion event in Mumbai in February last year. AFP Photo

The Bollywood actor A K Hangal, best known for his roles in films such as Namak Haraam (1973), Sholay (1975) and Shaukeen (1982), died in Mumbai on Sunday morning after a prolonged illness aggravated by a hip fracture. He was 95.

"My father died around 9am. The cause of his death is mainly age-related. His lungs had also become weak and then collapsed," said Hangal's son Vijay, 76. "He was a spirited man and kept fighting until his last breath."

According to a hospital official, Hangal was on a life-support system during the last week but did not respond to treatment.

The veteran actor was admitted to a Mumbai hospital on August 16 following a hip fracture. He had been in and out of hospitals during the recent years.

Hangal debuted in the industry in the 1967 film Shagird, directed by Samir Ganguly. He went on to act in more than 140 other movies and was last seen on the big screen in 2008 in Humsey Hai Jahaan.

Earlier this year he appeared in a special cameo in the Indian television drama series Madhubala.

The actor made headlines last year when it was revealed he was facing severe financial hardship. His colleagues from the film industry, led by Amitabh Bachchan and Aamir Khan, offered him financial support. – IANS