British filmmaker Richard Attenborough, best remembered for his 1982 Oscar-winning "Gandhi", passed away on Sunday at the age of 90. He was in poor health for a long time.
His six-decades-long film career is still highlighted by the epic "Gandhi" based on the life of Indian freedom-struggle leader Mahatma Gandhi. It had won eight Oscars, including the Best Picture award, and had fetched Attenborough the 'Best Director' honour.
The film showed the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi from his days as a lawyer in South Africa to his leadership of the Indian Independence movement against the British rule.
Ben Kingsley, who played the iconic character of Gandhi in the eponymous film expressed grief at Attenborough's demise, and said he would "miss him dearly".
"When he gave me the part of Gandhi it was with great grace and joy. He placed in me an absolute trust and in turn I placed an absolute trust in him and grew to love him," ITV quoted Kingsley.
I along with millions of others whom he touched through his life and work will miss him dearly," Kingsley said.
Attenborough had also acted in 74 films before he turned to direction, and fans will instantly recognize him as the 'theme park developer' in Steven Spielberg's "Jurassic Park" in 1993.
Apart from films, Attenborough was also involved in humanitarian causes and also worked as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.
Attenborough was knighted in 1976, even before he made Gandhi, for his films.
British Prime Minister David Cameron, in his tweet, called him "one of the greats of cinema".
His acting in "Brighton Rock" was brilliant, his directing of "Gandhi" was stunning - Richard Attenborough was one of the greats of cinema.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) August 24, 2014
He was the older sibling of television presenter and documentary filmmaker David Attenborough. Reports suggested that he lived in a home for the elderly along with his wife since 2008.
He is survived by his wife, son and daughter.
