The remains of veteran filmmaker Dr Ramanand Sagar, who passed away late last night, have been consigned to flames in the presence of close family members and friends. The funeral procession of Dr Sagar, 87, began from his home Sagar Villa in Juhu this morning to the Juhu-Vile Parle crematorium.

Among those who paid their last respects were actors Arun Govil and Deepika, who essayed the roles of Lord Ram and Sita, respectively, in Sagar's popular television serial Ramayana [Images], music composer Ravindra Jain and actresses Bhagyashree and Poonam Dhillon.

The last rites were performed by Sagar's eldest son Subhash Sagar. His other three sons -- Anand, Prem and Moti Sagar -- and several family members were also present.

Padmashree Dr Sagar, who made a number of popular Hindi movies, was directing the television serial Saibaba, which has replaced Kaun Banega Crorepati on Sunday night since Amitabh Bachchan's [Images] hospitalisation. Sagar had been unwell for the last three months, his son Prem said.

He is survived by his wife, five sons and a daughter.  

Sagar, born at Asal Guru Ke near Lahore [Images], Pakistan, in 1917, began his film career with the silent movie Raiders of the Rail Road in 1936. One of his life's masterpieces include the critically acclaimed novel Aur Insaan Mar Gaya. In 1950, he established his own film production company Sagar Art Corporation with Mehmaan being the first creation.

He has to his credit as many as 50 films, including masterpieces like Insaniyat, Kohinoor, Pegaam, Ghunghat, Zindagi, Aankhen [Images], Lalkar, Aarzoo, Geet and Bagavat. Sagar also created history with the longest running serial, Ramayana.

With inputs from UNI and PTI