Pakistani showbiz and political circles mourned the death of Indian film star and minister Sunil Dutt who died in Mumbai Wednesday. "The death is sad news. Sunil Dutt was a great man, very refined and very humane," tells Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.

Dutt was one of the most popular Indian figures in Pakistan and will be remembered for his services to the film industry, he added.

Dutt, who was a prime part of the Indian film industry for over 40 years, was born in village Khurd on the bank of river Jehlum in northern Punjab, now in Pakistan, June 6, 1929. He moved to India in 1947 following partition.

Cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan said he was saddened by Dutt's death. He recalled that in 1990, Dutt had helped him collect funds for his Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital.

"He participated in a campaign in Birmingham and also personally contributed for the cancer hospital," said Khan, who is also an MP.

Khan described the late actor as a very honest and sincere person.

"He was one of those people who lived for others. During my last visit to India, I invited him to Pakistan and visit my hospital for which he had helped with the initial funding," he said.

Pakistani film star Muhammad Ali said Dutt was a "true human" and will be remembered as great human being for centuries.

"His service to people through politics and films can never be replaced," he said. "The film industry would remember him for long."

Film actress Shamim Ara said: "In two days, we lost two greats of the film industry - one in Pakistan and one in India. For us, this is very sad."

Pakistani comedian Saeed Khan, also known as Rangeela, died Tuesday in Lahore after a long illness at the age of 74.