Calcutta, Oct. 27: Actor Tarun Kumar died this morning. He was 72.

Kumar was hospitalised on October 17 after he vomited blood. He later went into a coma.

Buroda, as he was known, was the younger brother of Bengali cinema’s greatest star, Uttam Kumar.

But he had cut a niche for himself in Bengali films with films like Deya Neya, Jhinder Bandi, Rater Rajanigandha, Shesh Anka, Stree, Banpalashir Padabali and Pratham Kadam Phool among others.

Kumar acted in over 500 films since making his debut with Hrod in 1954.

He received the President’s award for Dadathakur in 1966. Equally successful on stage, Nahabat, in which he had one of the main roles, ran for about seven years. Actors of all age groups and the chief minister condoled his death.

“It is a great loss for us and for Bengal’s cultural sphere,” he said in a message.

Kumar left behind his wife and daughter.

As soon as the news of his death spread, cinema and stage actors dropped in at his Girish Mukherjee Road residence to pay their last respects. Among those present were Madhabi Mukherjee, Supriya Devi and Debashree Roy. His body was finally taken to Uttam Mancha, the auditorium built in the memory of elder brother.