President Pratibha Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh joined millions of fans in condoling the death of legendary actor-filmmaker Dev Anand, calling him a 'true genius' and an embodiment of a life-long passion for acting and film-making.
In her condolence message, Patil said the film industry had lost a creative talent who "personified the spirit of graceful ageing with dignity".
She said Dev Anand had delighted fans with his vivacious acting and as a popular romantic hero.
Please listen to Dev Anand's best songs here
"Anand was a legendary film artiste as well as a producer, director and writer, who adorned the Hindi cinema with great distinction. He shall always be remembered by a generation of film watchers for his exemplified acting in the movies -- Taxi Driver, Munimji, Guide, Johny Mera Naam, Hare Rama Hare Krishna and Des Pardes," she said.
Vice President Ansari said the legend had entertained generations of Indians with his versatile acting, direction and production of films. He had an "intense passion for films", Ansari said.
Describing Dev Anand as a great artiste, Prime Minister Singh said the legendary actor was "an embodiment of a life-long passion for acting and film-making."
"I join millions of his fans in mourning his death," he said in a statement.
I&B Minister Ambika Soni called him a true genius and evergreen star with whose death an era has come to an end. "For a career spanning over more than five decades, Dev Anand gave us films which will stay entrenched in our minds for years on," Soni said.
Political leaders in Maharashtra paid glowing tributes to Indian cinema's legend with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan saying in Mumbai that the country has lost an iconic film personality who gave joy to countless movie buffs.
