Bollywood laments the death of celebrated cinematographer Ashok Mehta

Ace cinematographer Ashok Mehta passed away yesterday after battling prolonged cancer. He was a source of inspiration for many filmmakers as well as actors in the B-Town. After struggling for a long time in Mumbai, Mehta caught the eye of actor-producer Shashi Kapoor who gave him the break of his life with 36 Chowringhee Lane. His last work is the documentary Bollywood: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told. Director Shekhar Kapoor reported on his website, I have only done one film with him (Bandit Queen). And that is because Ashok refused to come with me to the West where I pursued my creative goals. He refused to be taken away from his roots here in India. I still wish he had come. I missed him a lot. Even Pooja Bedi said, It is uncanny how Prabuddho (lensman Prabhuddha Dasgupta) who shot my Kamasutra print campaign passed away days before Ashok who shot the TV advertisement for Kamasutra. The whole nation is heart-broken by his sudden demise.