Yester year’s actor Avtar Kishan Hangal, popularly known as A.K. Hangal, who is remembered for his role as Rahim Chacha in movie ‘Sholay’, passed away on Sunday morning in Mumbai. The actor was 95.

 “He passed away at the hospital at 9 a.m.,” his son Vijay Hangal told to a daily.

On August 16 the actor was admitted into Asha Parekh’s hospital in Santa Cruz after the actor fractured his thin bone in a fall. For the last two days, his condition was critical and he had been taken off ventilator support.

The veteran actor was cremated yesterday at around 1p.m. at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Vile Parle. Many Bollywood celebrities though were conspicuous by their absence.

But Character artists including Rakesh Bedi, Raza Murad, Avatar Gill, singer actress Ila Arun and a few others were seen at the crematorium.

“It was disappointing. The man gave 50 years of his life to this industry. I feel the busy stars could have spared at least 50 minutes of their time to pay their final respects. And to think that the crematorium in Vile Parle is not too far off from these stars' bungalows. In fact many cops were deployed in anticipation of a huge turn-out. I have to admit with a heavy heart that it's a cruel world. They didn't consider this departed soul important enough to be given an honorable sendoff. God bless,” said a very angry Murad to a daily.

The last rites were performed by his son Vijay.

“This is really a sad thing...now I am left all alone. I have no words to describe his loss. He was a strong man...he had been a great support to me,” said Vijay.

The actor was honored with the Padma Bhushan for his contribution to Hindi cinema in 2006.

His dialogue ‘Itna sannaata kyun hai bhai’ from the movie ‘Sholay’ remains an iconic dialogue till date.

We hope the actor rests in peace.