New Delhi, Jan 15 : President Pratibha Patil has condoled the passing away of the famous veteran film director and recipient of the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, Tapan Sinha.

In her condolence message, the President has said, "An acclaimed film director Tapan Sinha shall always be remembered for his films such as `Kabuliwala' and `Ek Doctor Ki Maut', which touched on social issues of our times."

In his passing away, the nation has lost a creative personality and a legendary filmmaker, the President added.

Ace story teller Tapan Sinha, who won 19 National Awards under different categories, and was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement last year, died at a hospital in Kolkata on Thursday after a prolonged illness.

According to hospital sources, “Sinha died early Thursday at the hospital. He was suffering from acute bronco-pneumonia and was on life support system.”

“His pulse rates were very low and he had stopped responding to medication since Wednesday night,” the sources added.