AK Hunhal's portrayal of Rahim Chacha in the movie 'Sholay' will remain etched forever into the hearts of every Indian who has some kind of affection for Indian Cinema. Mr. Hungal acted in scores of movies and also became a part of the small screen by doing a cameo in the serial 'Madhubala' recently. Who can forget his characters in movies like 'Namak Haram', 'Shaukeen', 'Manzil', 'Bawarchi',' 'Ainaa' and several others.

"He was a brilliant and versatile actor who could modulate his voice very effectively," says director Basu Chatterjee, who was responsible for giving the Sialkot-born actor roles in various shades during his long innings in the Indian Film Industry. The actor is survived by his only son Vijay, who is himself 75 years old.

Mr. AK Hungal had been hospitalized at Asha Parekh Hospital located in Santa Cruz following a hip joint fracture. Upon a thorough check up the doctors at the hospital understood that he had been suffering from several other ailments including shallow breathing. He was then put upon life support. But, when there seemed to be no improvement in his condition, the doctors at the hospital suggested that he should be taken off his life support. After which the actor could not survive for too long.

His death has caused much grief to all those people from the film fraternity who have known him or have ever worked with him. Actor Shabana Azmi said on Twitter, "An era comes to an end. Theatre and film were enriched by him."

What however is saddening is nobody from Bollywood was present during his funeral or for the 'Shanti Sabha' organized for the veteran actor. It raises only one question - Does Bollywood respect only the rising sun?

I cannot help but remember the scene from 'Sholay' where Hema Malini helps the blind Rahim Chacha climb down the stairs of the mosque and says that people from Rampur loved him so much that there will always be somebody to hold his hand and help him descend the stairs (translated). In real life however, the film fraternity could not ensure the same for him.