Bollywood legend, 88, dies of heart attack

Bollywood star Dev Anand has died in London aged 88.

The actor, producer and director suffered a heart attack at the Washington Mayfair Hotel in central London.

A spokesman for the hotel confirmed that Anand was a guest there and had died.

Tributes to the veteran star flooded in from all corners of the globe. His nephew, Shekhar Kapur, thanked fans for the thousands of messages of support.

“Dev Anand lived and died at his own terms,” he posted on Twitter. “He was working one minute. Sat down and smiled. And was gone the next.”

Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan tweeted: “An era has come to an end. Dev Anand leaves a void never perhaps to be filled again. He never gave up belief, his joy of life.” He said he had met Mr Anand at a film premiere recently adding: “He was weak but full of spirit”.

Writer Sir Salman Rushdie said: “Grew up watching your films. Sorry to say goodbye.”

Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt added: “As the new dawn breaks over Mumbai I salute the memory of this star who has left us with the glow of his smile.”