Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who is in deep grief after hearing about veteran actor Shammi Kapoor's demise, has urged the people to envy the star for his contribution to Bollywood and "not mourn him".

"He was the man who set amazing standards in the industry with his work. He was not only a unique individual but also an amazing star so when people of such credibility pass away, they don't really pass away.

The effect of his joy will be with Bollywood always, so I request people to envy him and not to mourn him, " Bhatt told CNN-IBN news channel.

Shammi Kapoor, the star of Hindi cinema in the 1950s and 1960s, died at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital at 5 a.m Sunday after a prolonged illness. He was admitted to the hospital a week ago after renal failure. He was 79.