LAHORE: Veteran theatre, television and film actor Abid Kashmiri passed away in Lahore. He was 74.

Kashmiri was a chronic diabetic and had multiple health issues.

According to his widow, he had contracted malaria a few days back but died of a heart attack on Friday.

Kashmiri was settled in the US; however, he used to visit Pakistan frequently. He came here about a month back to meet his old friends and record some TV shows.

He was also planning to stage a play. His widow said Kashmiri had a return flight for New York on Oct 20.

The late actor was celebrated for his extensive contributions to television, stage and film and had a prolificcareer, featuring in hundreds of dramas and films.

He was known for his versatile acting skills and receivedwidespread acclaim for his performances, especially in TV dramas in the 1980s. The late actor is survived by two sons and two daughters and a wife.

Kashmiri was also honored with the Nigar Award for comedy for his role in the 1988 film `Bazaar-e-Husn`. The performing artiste had a long-standing career as one of the veterans in Lahore with his work getting immense acclaim in theatre, television and films. Some of his celebrated works include Lohari Gate, Suraj Ke Sath Sath, Samundar, Apnay Log and Teesra Kinara among others.

Kashmiri was a true Lahori. He was born in the Misri Shah area of Lahore in 1950 and lived there all his life until his move abroad. Despite his migration, he kept the house there.

He had a great taste for Desi food. He started doing theatre back in the 1980s. He performed in a number of stage plays at Alhamra. He was a close friend of actor Aurangzeb Leghari and producer director Qaiser Javed.

Talking to Dawn, Javed said he had lost a brother and a wonderful artiste in the form of Kashmiri who was a great human being too besides being an artiste. He said that Kashmiri and he (Javed) did many stage plays together at Alhamra and he had an association with the actor spanning over 30 years.

Veteran actor Aurangzeb Leghari also expressed deep sorrow and grief over the sad demise of Kashmiri, saying he was a great friend and a wonderful artist who used to do effortless comedy. He said Kashmiri earned countrywide fame due to his character Gullu Badshah in Samundar through his dialogue Kis Ko Keh Rahahy Ho.

Other dialogues of Kashmiri made him famous including Kaun Loag O Tussi and Kher Ho Apki in his play Raat, the latter dialogue got so famous that it was written on public transport, trucks and rickshaws.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz offered condolences to Kashmiri`s family on his death, saying `Abid Kashmiri was a versatile actor. Fans will ever miss him`.

Lahore Arts Council Chairman Razi Ahmed and Executive Director Sara Rasheed also expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of Abid Kashmiri, saying that Alhamra would hold a condolence reference for him.

Kashmiri`s relatives confirmed that Kashmiri`s children were settled abroad.

His wife said the funeral prayers for her late husband might be held on before noon on Sunday (tomorrow) after their son would reach here from the US.

The funeral prayers will be held near Shafique Centre, Amir Road, Shadbagh.