Veteran action director and stuntman Veeru Devgan passed away this morning in Mumbai. He was admitted at Surya Hospital in Santa Cruz West following complaints of breathlessness. He is survived by his wife Veena Devgan and sons Ajay Devgn and Anil Devgan. The funeral will be held at the Ville Parle West crematorium today evening.

Born in Amritsar, Punjab in 1941, Veeru Devgan has choreographed fight and action scenes in over 80 Hindi films, including Mr. Natwarlal (1979), Kranti (1981), Himmatwala (1983), Mr India (1987) and Phool Aur Kaante (1991), which marked Ajay’s Bollywood debut.

In 1999, Veeru Devgan directed and produced the action drama, Hindustan Ki Kasam. He has appeared as an actor in the films, Kranti, Sourabh and Singhasan. Known to make few public appearances, the veteran personality was last spotted at the premiere of Total Dhamaal earlier this year.

Mourning Veeru Devgan’s demise, senior stunt director Sham Kaushal tweeted:

Indian Film and Television Director’s Association (IFTDA) president Ashoke Pandit wrote: