Mumbai: Bollywood Veteran actor- Comedian ‘Sholay’ fame Jagdeep (81) passes away at his residence in Mumbai on Wednesday. He is suffering from ill health due to age related issues. He took his last breath at 8.30 at his residence in Bandra in Mumbai.

He got fame with Sholay, Purana Mandir and Andaz Apna Apna. Jagdeep survived by his wife, daughters and sons. His sons were actors Javeed Jafri and TV personality Naved Jafri. Jagdeep entered in the film industry as a child artist in 1951 in movie Afsana and also worked as a child actor in films such as Hum Panchi Ek Dal Ke, Aar Paar, Ab Dilli Door Nahin, Do Bigha Zamin and Munna etc.

He rose to prominence as a leading actor with films such as Bindiya, Bhabhi and Barkha. Jagdeep’s performance in the 1968 movie Brahmachari established him as comic. Jagdeep also starred in several horror films, some of which include hit films like 1984 movie Purana Mandir and 1985’s 3D Saamri.

The legendary actor was popularly known as Jagdeep, his stage name. Among cinephiles, Jagdeep was best identified as Soorma Bhopali from Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra’s 1975 film Sholay, as Machchar from 1984 film Purana Mandir and as Bankelal Bhopali (Salman Khan’s father) in Salman and Aamir Khan’s 1994 film Andaz Apna Apna. In 1988, Jagdeep also directed the film Soorma Bhopali based on his character from Sholay.

Jagdeep was last seen in 2012 movie Gali Gali Chor Hai, in which he played the role of a police constable. In the latter part of his career, Jagdeep featured in movies such as Life Partner, Bombay To Goa and Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye. Jagdeep’s filmography from the nineties and eighties includes films such as China Gate, Hasina Aur Nagina, Phool Aur Kaante, Insaan Bana Shaitan, Andaz Apna Apna, Shahenshah, Qurbani and Phir Wohi Raat , among others.

Actors Ajay Devgn and Anil Kapoor were one of first celebs to mourn the legendary actor on Wednesday night. “Jagdeep Saab was one of the greatest actors of India… I was his huge fan and was lucky enough to have worked with him in Ek Baar Kaho and many more films… he was always extremely supportive and encouraging… sending my heartfelt condolences and prayers to my friend Jaaved and family,” tweeted Anil Kapoor.

Ajay Devgan remembered actor Jagdeep in a tweet, writing: “Heard the sad news of Jagdeep Saab’s demise. Always enjoyed watching him on screen. He brought so much joy to the audience. My deepest condolences to Jaaved and all members of the family. Prayers for Jagdeep Saab’s soul.”