Film director and screenwriter BR Ishara passed away Wednesday morning. He was suffering from tuberculosis and was undergoing treatment at Criticare Hospital Juhu, a western Mumbai suburb.
He had suffered a major paralytic attack during a directors' association meeting last year in August.
Best known for his films from the 1970s, Ishara started out in the film industry by doing odd jobs.
He is credited with launching Parveen Babi and cricketer Salim Durrani in his film
Charitra.
The late filmmaker also gave a break to many newcomers like Danny Denzongpa, Rakesh Pandey, Rehana Sultana (who later married him), Vijay Arora, Jaya Bhaduri, Amitabh Bachchan, Reena Roy, Shatrughan Sinha, Raj Kiran and Raza Murad.
Amitabh Bachchan, who had worked with him on a film, tweeted about his death, 'The well known writer director BR Ishara passed away early this morning. Brought in fresh style subject for films. Did "Ek Nazar"'
BR Ishara is survived by his former actress wife Rehana Sultan.