Hum Aapke Hai... Koun! producer passes away

'Most humble & amazingly knowledgable human being. Had a childlike curiosity.'
'I loved speaking to him for hours about goodness. He practiced it.'

Raj Kumar Barjatya, film-maker Sooraj Barjatya's father and the producer of Hum Aapke Hain... Koun!, Hum Saath-Saath Hain and Vivaah, passed away on Thursday, February 21, after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 75.

He passed away at 9.04 am at the Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital, south Mumbai.

Rajshri Productions's Twitter handle confirmed his passing: 'It is with profound grief that we mourn the loss of Raj Kumar Barjatya, father of Sooraj Barjatya. May his soul Rest In Peace'.

The producer had complained of back pain and was taken to the hospital on Monday, an official from Rajshri Films told PTI.

Raj Kumar Barjatya is survived by wife Sudha and son Sooraj Barjatya.

Rajshri Productions, founded by Raj Kumar Barjatya's father Tarachand Barjatya, produced critically acclaimed films like Dosti, Tapasya, Saaransh among many others.

Hum Chaar, the studio's most recent film, released last week.

Madhuri Dixit, who starred in Hum Aapke Hain... Koun! tweeted her condolences: 'A warm soul and a person I'd always look up to. Deeply saddened by the demise of #RajKumarBarjatyaji.'

'Thank you for inspiring and guiding me through my journey. Condolences to @SoorajBarjatya and family. Hope you'll find the strength to grieve this loss'.

Anupam Kher, who made his debut with Saaransh, tweeted, 'Deeply saddened to know about the demise of #RajKumarBarjatyaji. Had known him since my 1st film #Saaransh.'

'Most humble & amazingly knowledgable human being. Had a childlike curiosity. I loved speaking to him for hours about goodness. He practiced it. Will miss him'.