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Veteran film, TV and stage actor and director Masood Akhtar passed away today (March 5) in Lahore. The 82-year-old who was awarded the Pride of Performance in 2005 had been hospitalised for past two months after his health deteriorated.

Sources close to Akhtar told Images that the actor passed away due to lung cancer. His funeral will be held at 4pm today in Usman Park, Lahore. The actor is to be laid to rest in Miani Sahib graveyard. He leaves a widow and two daughters.

The actor was born in Sahiwal and has made huge contribution to the art of acting by performing in many movies, TV plays and theatre productions.

He worked in around 135 films ⁠— 78 Urdu, 51 Punjabi, three double version and two Pashto, according to actor Khalid Moeen. Akhtar is the pioneer of starting stage drama at Alhamra Arts Council. One of his early plays, Paisa Bolta Hai, was staged at Alhamra in the 1970s and it earned him immense popularity.

Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has expressed his condolences over Akhtar's demise. Calling him a versatile actor, the CM said Akhtar's memorable works are still appreciated today.

Condolences pour in

Actor Ahsan Khan took to Instagram to mourn Akhtar's loss.

Actor Resham shared photos with the late actor and wrote, "Masood Akhtar was a very kind person whom I spent a lot of time with. When I started out, I had gotten small roles on TV and got the chance to work with him [Akhtar] and I count it as a blessing."