'Amrapali' director Lekh Tandon dead

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Veteran filmmaker Lekh Tandon, who directed iconic film like "Amrapali", has died, it was announced on Sunday. He was 88.

Tandon passed away at his residence here on Saturday.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit tweeted, "Sad to know about the demise of one of the finest tv and film directors Lekh Tandon ji. Your work is immoral. Will miss U. #RIP"

Born in Lahore in 1929, Tandon directed many Bollywood stalwarts like Shammi Kapoor ("Professor", 1962; "Prince", 1969), Rajender Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini, Shabana Azmi, Rekha, Rajesh Khanna to name a few. His "Amrapali" (1966), featuring Sunil Dutt and Vyjayanthimala, that was selected as Indian entry for the best foreign language film at 39th Academy awards.

He also bagged Filmfare Best Screenplay Award for his movie "Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye", along with Vrajendra Gaur and Madhusudan Kalekar in 1978.

He directed his first television serial "Dil Dariya" in 1988 through which he was also credited for discovering Shah Rukh Khan.

Tandon also acted in films like "Swadesa, "Chennai Express", "Rang De Basanti" among others.

His funeral will be held on Monday.

--IANS

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