Veteran Indian actor Vinod Khanna passed away in a Mumbai hospital on Thursday. He was 70 and had been suffering from cancer.

There were rumours that he was actually being treated for bladder cancer. Some days after we was taken to hospital, Vinod Khanna’s son Rahul Khanna told news agency Press Trust of Inida, ‘Dad was hospitalised on Friday for severe dehydration. The situation was quickly brought under control, he’s doing much better and the doctors are looking to discharge him soon. Our family is most grateful for the extraordinary care he’s been receiving at the hospital and we are touched by all the good wishes pouring in.’

A photo of a very frail Khanna in hospital was circulated a while ago, prompting angry posts on social media asking that the actor’s privacy be respected.

Vinod Khanna was one of the top stars of the Seventies and Eighties and was known for his macho image. He made his debut in 1968 film Mann Ka Meet, playing the villain opposite Sunil Dutt. He continued playing negative roles and supporting characters in films like 1970’s Purab Aur Paschim and 1971’s Mera Gaon Mera Desh. In the same year, he was cast as the lead actor in Hum Tum Aur Woh and then in the Gulzar-directed Mere Apne.