Animation pioneer and multiple Indian National Award winner Bhimsain Khurana has died at the age of 82.
Khurana, known for films like Gharaonda and for iconic animation shorts like Ek Anek Ekta — died at a hospital in Mumbai on Tuesday while undergoing dialysis, a source said.
A prayer meet will be held on Friday evening at the Iskcon temple.
Khurana obtained his diploma in Fine Arts and Classical Music from Lucknow University. In 1970, he made his debut with his first animation short The Climb, which earned him the Silver Hugo Award in the Chicago Film Festival.
Soon after, he directed and produced several animation and advertisements. He further established his repute as a director and producer with his landmark animation short Ek Anek Ekta, which won him an Indian National Award.
He ventured into feature film production with Gharaonda, which won Filmfare Awards. This was followed by two other successful films — Doooriyan and Tum Laut Aao.
Khurana also tried his hand at TV show production. His first tryst was in 1985 with popular sitcom Choti Badi Baatein, based on superstitions. He also made documentaries.
In 1991, he made computer-aided animation serial Lok Gatha, based on folk tales, and then a 26-episode series Vartaman, aired on Doordarshan.
Khurana was also a writer, and penned six books.
His banner Climb Films has been running since the last 31 years.
Khurana is survived by his wife Neelam, sons Himaanshu and Kireet, daughters-in-law Youla and Tehzeeb and grandchildren Kabeer, Nivritti and Mohak.
