Junoon fame actor Mangal Dhillon dies of cancer

Just a week before of his birthday, famous Punjabi cine star, director and producer Mangal Dhillon, who was battling cancer, passed away in a hospital in Ludhiana on Sunday. He was 78.

Hyderabad: Mangal Dhillon, of Junoon and Buniyaad fame, succumbed to cancer on Sunday. He had been receiving treatment at a Ludhiana hospital for some time, but his condition became grave a few days ago.

Actor Mita Vashishth posted the news on Instagram, writing, "Mangal Singh Dhillon left at 1.30 am to return home....may the rain shower upon him peace and joy, as he makes his way to the Divine Source from which we all have come." Aum Shanti! Wahe Guru Satnam

Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed his sympathies on Twitter. The tweet read: "Saddened to learn of the death of noted actor, writer, director, and producer of Punjabi cinema Mr Mangal Dhillon."

"It's a huge blow to the Indian film industry. Many people will miss his fascinating voice and theatrical performances. My sincere condolences go out to the bereaved family, friends, and admirers," he added.

Dhillon, who was from Faridkot in Punjab, had built a name for himself in the worlds of film and television. He did commercial voiceover in New Delhi and Mumbai for a few years, as well as Doordarshan and radio dramas. Mangal Dhillon worked in both the television and film industries.

He first appeared as Lubhaya Ram in the 1986 television series Buniyaad, and then as an advocate in the 1988 film Khoon Bhari Maang, starring Rekha. He went on to feature in several more films before returning to television with Junoon in 1993, in which he played Sumer Rajvansh. He also portrayed Akbar in the 2000 television series Noorjahan.

Swarg Yahan, Pyar Ka Devta, Ranbhoomi, Narak Yahan, Vishwatma, Dil Tera Aashiq, and Train to Pakistan were some of his prominent films. He also appeared in Fardeen Khan's 2003 film Janasheen.