Mumbai (PTI): Filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar, best known for the movie "Parineeta", passed away at a hospital early on Friday, his wife Panchali said.

He was 67.

The director was admitted to the ICU of Lilavati hospital in suburban Bandra following a fever.

"He passed away between 3.10 am and 3.30 am at Lilavati hospital," his wife told PTI.

He had viral fever on March 22. After administering some medicines his fever subsided but not completely. So he was rushed to the hospital, she said.

"By the time we reached the hospital, his vitals started dropping. He was put on a ventilator in the ICU and was diagnosed with pneumonia. The infection attacked his lungs," the director's wife said.

"According to doctors, he had many comorbidities which weakened his immunity. His blood pressure was fluctuating. Since COVID-19 hit him in July 2022, he was quite weak," Panchali said.

Sarkar made his directorial debut with "Parineeta" in 2005. Some of his other directorial ventures include "Laaga Chunari Mein Daag" (2007), "Lafangey Parindey" (2010), "Mardaani" (2014), and "Helicopter Eela" (2018).

Many celebrities offered their condolences through social media.

Ajay Devgn said he is unable to fathom the news about Sarkar's demise.

"The news of Pradeep Sarkar's demise, 'Dada' to some of us, is still hard to digest. My deepest condolences. My prayers are with the departed and his family. RIP Dada," Devgn wrote.

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta shared a picture of the director on Twitter and wrote, "Pradeep Sarkar. Dada. RIP."

Responding to Mehta's tweet, actor Manoj Bajpayee said he was shocked.
"Ohh! That's so shocking! Rest in peace Dada!!," he said.

Filmmaker Kunal Kohli remembered him as a sweet man. He shared the clip from the song 'Pihu Bole' from the movie "Parineeta" on social media.

"Shocked and sad to hear about Dada Pradeep Sarkar. Really sweet man. Had lovely conversations about cinema with him. RIP Dada. Here's a song from your film to celebrate you and your cinema," he said in the post.

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Udupi: Police in Udupi have detained a rowdy-sheeter, Ganesh Poojary (48), a resident of Kaudoor village, under the provisions of the Goonda Act.

The action was taken following a report submitted by Udupi Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar. Based on the recommendation, Deputy Commissioner Swaroop T.K. issued the detention order on April 4. The accused has been lodged in the central prison in Kalaburagi as per the order.

According to police records, Ganesh Poojary has a total of 11 cases registered against him at the Karkala Town Police Station. These include four cases of attempted murder, one robbery, three assault cases, one case of unlawful assembly, one gambling-related case, and another miscellaneous offence.

Of these, he has been convicted in one case, acquitted in seven cases, while one case is currently under trial and two others remain under investigation.

Police said the detention was carried out to prevent further criminal activities and to maintain public order in the district.