MUMBAI: Art director Ashish Lakhia, aged 49, passed away in Ahmedabad on Sunday morning of multiple organ failure.

Said a grieving actor - director Amole Gupte, "A lot more than just art director, Ashish was a painting prodigy as a child and, in fact, had inspired me to become a painter. His passing away is an irreparable loss for me."

Remembered for his art direction in Ketan Mehta‘s Holi, Mirch Masala and Maya Memsaab among others, where he worked in tandem with his mother Meera, Lakhia was brother of actor Aditya Lakhia aka ‘Kachra‘ of Lagaan and also a cousin of director Apoorva Lakhia.

Besides being into art direction, Lakhia has also made many documentary films. Said Apoorva, "It‘s a pity that he was taken as only an art-house artiste. I only wish our industry had got him into the mainstream mould."