Abhay Deol’s father, Dharmendra’s brother passes away

Mumbai: Legendary actor Dharmendra’s younger brother Ajit Singh Deol passed away in a Mumbai hospital at 6 pm today after a long battle with various illnesses.

Ajit who was at one time a well-known actor in Punjabi films was the father of actor Abhay Deol and uncle to Sunny and Bobby Deol. He was specially attached to Sunny, who on hearing of the tragic news was inconsolable. Dharmendra who has been by his ailing brother’s bedside constantly, broke down at his brother’s passing away.

Says a source, “Dharmendras brother Ajit Singh Deol ( Abhay Deol’s father) was in the hospital for complications in gall bladder surgery. Dharmendra was a caring brother and had been attending diligently to his brother. In addition, Dharmendra would visit Shaukat Azmiji who was also in the same hospital and in the bed next to his brother's bed in the ICU, recite his poetry to her and have her recite Kaifi Azmis poetry to him. He reminded her that he was a great admirer of Kaifi Saab’s work. Dharmendra also reminded Shaukat that she had worked with him in a film called Loafer decades ago. She brightened up in his presence, as did Dharmendra’s ailing brother Ajit in Javed Akhtar’s presence.”

Ajit Singh Deol acted in several Punjabi films and some Hindi films. He featured in the cast of his nephew Bobby Deol’s debut film Barsaat.