Bollywood fraternity mourns Tiger Pataudi''s demise

 Bollywood fraternity mourns Tiger Pataudi''s demiseMumbai/New Delhi, Sep 23 : Bollywood has expressed its condolences to the family of former cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, who breathed his last at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi on Thursday evening.

Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan, while expressing his condolences to Pataudi''s family, described him as a legend.

"It''s a very sad news, but I think great lives and journeys, which have inspired so much should not be mourned, they should be celebrated. So, my condolences to the family, but I think that''s a life we should celebrate," said Roshan.

Bollywood director and veteran actor Pankaj Kapur said Pataudi had a larger-than-life image, like no other.

"It''s really sad. My condolences to the family. He was a great personality and we are going to miss his presence in this world," he said.

Bollywood actor, Shahid Kapur, who was engaged in promoting his latest flick ''Mausam'', expressed his grief over the sudden demise of the legendary cricketer.

"It''s very unfortunate. He was a legend of cricket and I guess if we would have known earlier, we would have not had this event, but it''s very unfortunate and our deepest sympathies to the entire family," said Shahid Kapur.

"No, I haven''t spoken to him (Saif Ali Khan), but my condolences to the entire family," he added.

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi''s funeral will be held at the family''s burial ground in Pataudi, around 26 km from Gurgaon city this afternoon.

Seventy-year-old Pataudi was admitted to the hospital on August 29 following a severe lung infection.

Pataudi, who was nicknamed Tiger, was the ninth and last Nawab of Pataudi until 1971, when India abolished royal titles through the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of India.

Pataudi, regarded as one of the finest Indian captains, played 46 Tests for the country, scoring 2,793 runs for an average of 34.91 with an unbeaten 203 being his highest score.

In all, he smashed six centuries and 16 fifties during his career.

Pataudi is survived by his wife celebrated actress Sharmila Tagore, son Saif Ali Khan and daughters Soha Ali Khan and Saba Ali Khan. (ANI)