Prominent journalist-film producer Pritish Nandy dies of cardiac arrest at 73

Pritish Nandy was known for producing several critically successful films including Jhankaar Beats, Chameli, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena, Ankahee, Pyaar Ke Side Effects, Bow Barracks Forever, among many others.

On Wednesday, his friend, veteran actor Anupam Kher shared the news of Nandy's demise along with a long heartfelt post.

The actor wrote, "Deeply deeply saddened and shocked to know about the demise of one of my dearest and closest friends #PritishNandy!"

Besides films, Nandy had a wide-span of a career in journalism and continued as a columnist for The Times of India, Dainik Bhaskar, Divya Bhaskar, and Sangbad Pratidin.  He served as the publishing director of The Times of India between 1982 and 1991 and the managing editor of The Illustrated Weekly of India during its most successful decade. He was also editor and publisher of 'The Independent', a newspaper launched by the same group, and popular magazine ‘'Filmfare'.

On the political front, Pritish Nandy was elected to the Rajya Sabha representing Maharashtra, the upper house of the Indian parliament, in July 1998. He was elected on a Shiv Sena ticket.

He was a member of parliament for six years and was on a number of committees including the National Committee to Celebrate 50 Years of Independence, the Parliamentary Committee for Defence, the Parliamentary Committee for Communications, and the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Affairs.

Nandy headed the Expert Committee for the upgradation of the International Film Festival of India set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and submitted its findings to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in 2011.