TN Guv, Vaiko, Haasan condole Dilip Kumar's demise

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit, MDMK chief Vaiko and actor-politician Kamal Haasan on Wednesday condoled the death of legendary actor Dilip Kumar.

Expressing shock and grief over the death of the veteran actor, Purohit said Kumar was regarded as one of the greatest actors that India has ever seen and the thespian was honoured with several awards including the Dadasaheb Phalke, the highest honour in the field of cinema.

''Mohammed Yusuf Khan, known professionally and popularly as Dilip Kumar was a nice gentleman, who spent his life time for Hindi cinema.'' Dilip Kumar's demise is an irreparable loss to the people and particularly Indian cinema, the Governor said in a statement.

''I convey my deep condolences to the bereaved members of the family and pray to the Almighty God to rest his soul in peace and give strength to his family to overcome this unfathomable loss.'' MDMK chief Vaiko said Kumar had millions of fans through his realistic acting skills and recalled his interactions with the actor when he was a member of the Rajya Sabha.

A nice man and a good actor, Kumar's fame would linger on forever, he said.

Top Tamil star and Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan tweeted saying Kumar's career taught many actors like him a standard and commitment in performance.

''Truly one of the greatest actors of India leaves us today but leaves us with a treasure trove of his brilliance through his acting.

His understated approach is still tried by contemporary actors who are brave enough to attempt it.'' Dilip Kumar died at a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday after prolonged illness. He was 98.