MUMBAI: Writer-director BR Ishara, who was recently diagnosed with tuberculosis and was undergoing treatment at Criticare hospital in Juhu, has passed away.

Ishara shot into prominence with his first film Chetna that starred Rehana Sultan, whom he later married, and Anil Dhawan. The film was completed in just twenty five days.

Starting his career as a tea boy, Ishara went on to make as many as 34 Bollywood films between 1969 and 1996. Notable among his films besides Chetna were Hum Do Hamare Do, Charitraheen, Aurat and Kaaran.

Ishara is survived by his actress wife Rehana Sultan.