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Factsheet

• As a young man, fought for India's freedom against the British and spent three years in jail.
• Was forced to relocate to Mumbai after the India-Pakistan partition where he started theatre acting with IPTA (Indian People Theatre Association).
• Worked as a tailor to make a living.
• Made his Bollywood debut at the age of 50 with the movie Teesri Kasam (1966).
• Was honoured with Padma Bhushan, the country's highest civilian award, in 2006 for his contribution to Hindi cinema.
• Walked the ramp in a wheelchair in 2011 for fashion designer Riyaz Gangji.
• Remained a Communist Party (an Indian political body) member till the end of his days.
• A fractured hip bone led to his demise, as his age prevented the doctors from performing any surgery.
• Is often dubbed as the Grand Old Man of Hindi cinema.