24 July 2004	Saturday	06 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

MUMBAI, July 23: Indian film comedian Mehmood Ali died on Friday in the United States, where he was being treated for a heart ailment. "He died at around 5.30 Indian Standard Time.

He had gone to Pennsylvania, in United States, for a heart bypass surgery," said his brother, Usman Ali.

The 72 year-old Mehmood Ali had more than 300 films to his credit in a career spanning more than three decades. The son of actor-dancer Mumtaj Ali, Mehmood began his career driving cars for others and running errands for a few rupees before he got a chance to step into the spotlight.

His performances in films including 1974's "Kunwaara Baap" in which Mehmood played the role of a poor rickshaw puller who raises an abandoned polio-stricken boy, won him many accolades.

Mehmood had directed a number of films, including "Sabse Bada Rupaiya", in which he also featured as an actor. Mehmood is survived by two daughters and six sons. He also has four brothers and four sisters. -AFP