Indian actor Saeed Jaffrey dies

Saeed Jaffrey, the actor who starred in films such as A Passage to India and Gandhi, has passed away after suffering from a brain hemorrhage.

Jaffrey collapsed in his London home at the age of 86.

The actor earned a BAFTA nomination for his part as a Pakistani businessman in My Beautiful Laundrette and starred in roles opposite the likes of Michael Caine and Sean Connery, but he was also known for his work in theatre.

Jaffrey set up an English language theatre group in Delhi in 1951 and performed everything from Shakespeare to Dylan Thomas. He was the first Indian actor to tour Shakespeare around the US and the first Indian actor to star on Broadway.

As well as roles on the West End in Kindly Monkeys and On a Foggy Day he starred in over 100 Bollywood movies.

He was married to the food writer Madhur Jaffrey who he had three children with. Their marriage ended in 1965.

In 1982 he was cast as politician Sardar Patel in Richard Attenborough's film Gandhi. In 1995 he became the first Asian actor to receive an OBE for services to drama.

The Prime Minister of India today tweeted:

Saeed Jaffrey was a multifaceted actor whose flair & versatility will always be remembered. Deepest condolences on his passing away: PM