Ace comedian Bhagwan Dada, who made a name for himself with his distinct style of dancing and dialogue delivery died in Mumbai on Monday. He was 89.Bhagwan, whose superhit Albela was a top grosser in Bollywood, also left an indelible mark in many other films like Chori Chori. Who can forget the immortal song of Albela, Meri Piya Gayee Rangoon Kiya He Wahan Se Telephone, which was picturized on Bhagwan Dada?

It was a sad exit for an eventful but checkered career. The comedian par excellence died a pauper athis one-room tenement at Parel in central Mumbai. The bed-ridden actor had been reduced to penury because of domestic problems. A major fire, which destroyed reels of films produced by him, proved the proverbial last straw. The trauma was too much for Bhagwan. Bhagwan had a number of box-office hits to his credit. He has also directed a few films.