Eminent film director Buddhadeb Dasgupta died at his residence in Kolkata early on Thursday due to old-age related ailments, family members said.

He was 77.

Dasgupta is survived by his wife and two daughters from his previous marriage.

The national award-winning director was having kidney ailments for a long time and undergoing dialysis twice a week regularly, family members said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled his death.

“Saddened at the passing away of eminent filmmaker Buddhadeb Dasgupta. Through his works, he infused lyricism into the language of cinema. His death comes as a great loss for the film fraternity. Condolences to his family, colleagues and admirers,” Banerjee said on Twitter.

Condoling his death, filmmaker Goutam Ghosh said, “Buddha da was making films, writing articles and active despite failing health. He had directed Tope and Urojahaz even when he was not well. It is a great loss for all of us.” 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted and condoled his family and admirers.

He wrote, “Anguished by the demise of Shri Buddhadeb Dasgupta. His diverse works struck a chord with all sections of society. He was also an eminent thinker and poet. My thoughts are with his family and several admirers in this time of grief. Om Shanti…” Minister Firhad Hakim also tweeted about the same.