[Ifroham4]

Veteran actor Hangal (988) died early Sundaymorning due to brief illness aggravated by a fracture in his thigh bone at Asha Parekh Hospital in suburban Mumbai. Hangal is survived by his 74-year-old son Vijay as his wife Manorama predeceased him. He was cremated at Pawan Hans crematorium in Vile Parle, Mumbai, at around 1 PM.

Character artists including Rakesh Bedi, Raza Murad, Avatar Gill, singer-actress Ila Arun and a few others were seen at the crematorium, but there were no big Bollywood stars.

Hangal started working with Balraj Sahni and Kaifi Azmi in Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA). In his late 40s, Hangal was offered the part of Raj Kapoor's brother in 1966 film "Teesri Kasam" by director Basu Bhattacharya but his scenes were removed from the film. He then worked in over 200 movies as a father, uncle, grandfather and that of a meek and harassed old man.

He earned the wrath of Shiv Sena leader Bal Thakrey in 1993 when he applied for visa to visit his birthplace in Pakistan. He was invited and attended the Pakistan day celebrations by the consulate in Mumbai. Bal Thackeray called him a traitor. A call to boycott his films was made, his effigies were burnt and his scenes were deleted from films. He bounced back after two years with character roles in Amitabh Bachchan's home production "Tere Mere Sapne" and Aamir Khan's "Lagaan". He last shot for Shah Rukh Khan starrer "Paheli" in 2005. He was awarded Padma Bhushan for his contribution to Hindi cinema in 2006.

The actor led a life in penury. His son Vijay, a retired still cameraman in Bollywood, married to Manorama, appealed for help after failing to meet Hangal's medical expenses. Several Bollywood celebrities like the Bachchans, producer-director Vipul Shah, and actors Mithun Chakraborty, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan came forward to help him. After 7 years, Hangal was seen in face TV show Madhubala'.