Bollywood veteran Joy Mukherjee dead

Bollywood veteran Joy Mukherjee, who acted in films like "Love in Simla", died at Lilavati Hospital here Friday, his spokesman said. He was 73.

He is survived by his wife Neelam Mukherjee and three children - two sons and a daughter.

"He died at 9.30 a.m. His wife was by his side," Mukherjee's spokesperson R.R. Pathak told IANS. "The place and time of cremation is still to be decided. But people have started gathering," he added.

Mukherjee's body will be taken to his residence in few hours after the hospital formalities are completed.

The yesteryears star was admitted to the hospital Monday in a critical condition and was put on a ventilator.

Mukherjee stepped into showbiz with 1960 hit film "Love In Simla". His popularity soared with projects like "Shagird", "Love In Tokyo", "Ziddi", "Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon" and "Ek Musafir Ek Hasina".

He comes from a film family - his father Sashadhar Mukherjee, who was married to legendary actor Ashok Kumar's sister Sati Devi - was the co-founder of Filmalaya Studios. He was the paternal uncle of actors Kajol and Tanisha Mukherjee.