Veteran filmmaker, writer, and lyricist Saawan Kumar Tak passed away at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital yesterday, at 86. The filmmaker had a heart attack on Tuesday, and was rushed to the ICCU. His nephew, Navin Kumar Tak, confirmed the news, stating, “Saawanji was also suffering from a lung ailment. His lungs and heart were not functioning properly.”

Filmmaker-actor Rakesh Roshan, who worked with Kumar on Mother (1999), had visited him earlier in the day. He recalled, “He was on respiratory support. Whatever God wishes, happens. Saawanji’s demise is a great loss, he was a dear friend and also a brilliant writer, producer and director.”