December 27, 2007	Thursday	Zilhaj 16, 1428

NEW DELHI, Dec 26: Bollywood veteran G.P. Sippy, who produced Indian cinema’s biggest blockbuster, “Sholay”, died in Mumbai on Tuesday at the age of 93. Sippy died from “age-related ailments”, the Press Trust of India said.

He was best known for the legendary 1975 film, which was directed by his son Ramesh Sippy.

It tells the story of a pair of petty criminals who go after a big-time bandit for the reward money.

Sippy came from a rich family and got his start in 1955, directing the film “Marine Drive”, named after Mumbai’s beachfront road.

He produced some 20 films and directed another five across an award-winning career that spanned four decades.

A remake of “Sholay” this year, with Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan -- who played one of the heroes in the original three decades ago -- in the role of bandit Gabbar Singh, tanked.—AFP