'Amrapali' director and actor Lekh Tandon dies, at 88
Veteran filmmaker and actor Lekh Tandon, who directed iconic movies like 'Amrapali' (1966) and was seen in others like 'Swades' and 'Rang De Basanti', passed away yesterday. He was 88. Details haven't been released yet. In his last moments, he was with family at his Powai residence. His funeral will be held at 12 pm in Powai today.
Tandon directed movies and serials and acted in them too
Tandon, born in Lahore, has an impressive array of movies in his filmmaking kitty including 'Uttarayan' (1985), 'Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye' (1977) and 'Andolan' (1975). 'Amrapali' was India's entry at the Oscars. He also directed serials like 'Dil Dariya', 'Phir Wahi Talash' and 'Farmaan'. In 'Swades', he appeared as Dadaji; as DJ's grandfather in 'RDB'; and as Rahul's grandfather in 'Chennai Express'.
Legends honor the filmmaker on social media
"Abhineta aur film nirdeshak Lekh Tandon ji ka aaj swargwas hua.Ye sunke mujhe bahut dukh hua.Meri unko vinamra shraddhanjali," tweeted Lata Mangeshkar. "Goodbye #LekhTandon Extraordinary film maker/story teller. Never ever refused an actor at his doorstep some warmth advice n tea," posted Shekhar Kapur. According to Ashoke Pandit, Tandon had been bed-ridden since five-six months and was being fed through a pipe.