Mumbai: Veteran actor and theatre legend Dinyar Contractor, who appeared in films such as "Baadshah" and "Khiladi", passed away Wednesday morning here. He was 79.
According to the family sources, the actor died due to old age related health issues. Contractor will be cremated at the Worli prayer hall for Parsis at 3.30 pm on Wednesday.
The actor was best known for his comic roles in films and was awarded a Padma Shri, earlier this year.
On Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled Contractor's death, saying he is "saddened" by the veteran actor's demise.
"Padma Shri Dinyar Contractor was special because he spread lots of happiness. His versatile acting brought smiles on several faces. Be it theatre, television or films, he excelled across all mediums. Saddened by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and admirers," PM Modi tweeted, while also sharing a photo of his meeting with Contractor.
Union minister Smriti Irani called Contractor an actor "par excellence."
"He brought bursts of laughter with him wherever he went, he lit up the screen and our lives with his wit and charm. We will miss your presence Dinyar bhai. Rest in Peace Padma Shri Dinyar Contractor - theatre legend, actor par excellence," she tweeted.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
ISLAMABAD: At least two more cases of poliovirus were reported in Pakistan, taking the number of infections to 52 so far this year, a report said on Friday.
“The Regional Reference Laboratory for Polio Eradication at the National Institute of Health has confirmed the detection of two more wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases in Pakistan," an official statement said.
The fresh infections — a boy and a girl — were reported from the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
“Genetic sequencing of the samples collected from the children is underway," the statement read. Dera Ismail Khan, one of the seven polio-endemic districts of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, has reported five polio cases so far this year.
Of the 52 cases in the country this year, 24 are from Balochistan, 13 from Sindh, 13 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and one each from Punjab and Islamabad.
There is no cure for polio. Only multiple doses of the oral polio vaccine and completion of the routine vaccination schedule for all children under the age of five can keep them protected.