Renowned actor, director, and producer Dheeraj Kumar breathed his last on Tuesday, July 15. He was 79. He had been battling acute pneumonia and was admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on Saturday (July 12) evening.
Dheeraj Kumar dies
A report in IANS states that he died at 11:40 am. His son Ashutosh Kumar was present at the hospital during his final moments. The cremation is likely to take place on Wednesday (July 16), as his relatives from Punjab are expected to arrive.
IANS quoted the family's statement as saying, "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dheeraj Kumar, a renowned actor, producer, and director, who left us due to cardiac arrest. He was under treatment at Kokilaben Hospital in Andheri West and was on ventilator support. The industry mourns the loss of a talented professional who contributed significantly to the world of entertainment. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace."
Earlier, in a statement, his family and production team had said, "Dheeraj Kumar is under the close supervision of doctors and is undergoing treatment. The family is praying for his speedy recovery and also requests everyone to maintain his privacy during this difficult time."
Dheeraj Kumar career
Dheeraj Kumar entered the entertainment industry in 1965 and worked in Hindi cinema during the 1970s and the 80s. He mostly played supporting roles in movies like Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), which starred Manoj Kumar and Zeenat Aman. His other films includes Swami, Shreeman Shrimati, Kranti, Raaton Ka Raja and more. Kumar also worked in 21 Punjabi films, where he played lead roles.
Dheeraj Kumar was also a known personality of the television industry. He owned his production company, Creative Eye Limited, and backed some of the successful TV shows, especially in the mythological genre. Popular shows like Om Namah Shivay, Shree Ganesh, Jai Santoshi Maa, Jai Ma Vaishanvdevi, Om Namo Narayan and Jap Tap Vratt, among others, were produced under his banner. Adalat, Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann, Hamari Bhau Tulsi, Maayka, Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam, Rishton Ke Bhanwar Mein Uljhi Niyati, etc. are some of other popular television shows which he produced.
