New Delhi: Veteran Bollywood  Veteran actor  and screenwriter Kader Khan passed away at the age of 81 in a Toronto hospital on Dec 31, Monday evening. He was a fine actor, director, writer and epic comedian . He passed away at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness at a hospital in Toronto in Canada. According to Ahmed Khan who is a close relative of the actor, Kader's final rites will be performed in a Toronto cemetery afterward in the day.

Worth mention here Kader is survived by his wife Hajra, son Sarfaraz, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. This year definitely has not  kicked off well for Bollywood and B-town lost a legend.

"My dad has left us. He passed away on December 31 at 6 pm as per Canadian time due to prolonged illness. He slipped into a coma in the afternoon. He was in the hospital for 16-17 weeks. The last rites will be performed here in Canada only. We have our entire family here and we live here so we are doing it," Khan's son Sarfaraz  was quoted by news agency PTI.

"We are thankful to everyone for their blessings and prayers," he further said.

The news of the demise of the actor-screenwriter came days after his son  quashed media reports of his death.

Kader was at his peak in the 1980s-90s. He had developed breathing issues and the doctors had reportedly transferred him from regular ventilator to BiPAP ventilator.