Veteran filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee, who made directed several memorable movies including Anand that launched Amitabh Bachchan on the path to superstardom, died here at a hospital in Mumbai.
He was 84.
Mukherjee was admitted to the Leelavati hospital in June in critical condition following chronic renal failure, pneumonia and sepsis, hospital sources said.
He had been coming to the hospital regularly for dialysis.
The end came at 1630 hours.
Mukherjee's funeral is likely to be held on Monday or Tuesday after his son returns from the United States.
Mukherjee directed many a blockbuster Hindi movie, regaling the audience with the typical Hrishida touch. He won the coveted Dadasaheb Phalke award and Padma Vibhushan.
Some of his memorable films include Anand, starring Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh among others, Abhimaan, featuring Amitabh, Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri, Chupke Chupke with Amitabh, Jaya and Dharmendra in the cast and Khubsoorat starring Rekha.
Having done his apprenticeship under legendary Bimal Roy, Mukherjee started his career with Musafir in 1957 and his last work was Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate starring Anil Kapoor and Juhi Chawla, released in 1998.
