Kundan Shah’s knack of tackling alternate cinema with satirical themes in a film like “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro” and a show like “Nukkad” made him a master storyteller, members of Indian showbiz said as they mourned the sudden demise of the filmmaker on Saturday.

Celebrities like Karan Johar, Mahesh Bhatt, Subhash Ghai and Raveena Tandon paid condolences to the family of the filmmaker, who passed away here early on Saturday. He was 69.

His “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro” and “Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa” apart, Shah built his own brand of entertainment with the Doordarshan comedy series “Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi”. His “Wagle Ki Duniya”, based on cartoonist R.K. Laxman’s character was much loved by the audience. His last film “P se PM Tak” hit the screens in 2014.

Here’s what the celebrities had to say:

Mahesh Bhatt:

A brave man Kundan Shah, who added vigour to the alternate cinema stream with movies like Jaane bhi do yaaro has left us. Adieux Kundan 🙏🙏🙏

— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) October 7, 2017

Satish Kaushik:

RIP Kundan Shah. We will be always indebted to u for Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron.a cult classic.u gave comedy a new face.indian cinema will miss u.

— satish kaushik (@satishkaushik2) October 7, 2017

Suchitra Krishnamoorthy:

‘Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa’ Dir by Kundan Shah, what a beautiful film! Kundan Shah ji won Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film for KHKN -Sad pic.twitter.com/YSlFksN2di

— Moses Sapir (@MosesSapir) October 7, 2017

Farah Khan:

Saddened 2 hear my favourite director Kundan Shah is no more.. i learnt a lot frm him whilst filming kabbhihaankabhina..quiet genius he was

— Farah Khan (@TheFarahKhan) October 7, 2017

Riteish Deshmukh:

Rip Kundan Shah…. A master storyteller no more. Condolences to the family and loved ones.

— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) October 7, 2017

Farhan Akhtar:

Saddened to learn that Kundan Shah is no more. Will never forget his genuineness, his cinematic knowledge & his unique sense of humour. RIP

— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) October 7, 2017

Karan Johar:

RIP Kundan Shah…. a cult filmmaker …a solid story teller…..

— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) October 7, 2017

Nandita Das:

Had a few interactions with Kundan Shah, a fine human being and yes, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro will remain a cult film… https://t.co/kMgUI8dfpg

— Nandita Das (@nanditadas) October 7, 2017

Omung Kumar:

My privilege that I could work with you on a film as an art director. You will always be missed. RIP…. genius Kundan Shah

— Omung Kumar (@OmungKumar) October 7, 2017

Shekhar Suman:

Kundan Shah an icon,iconoclast, one of the most celebrated directors is no more..What a colossal tragedy..what an immense loss.Bon Voyage!

— Shekhar Suman (@shekharsuman7) October 7, 2017

Madhur Bhandarkar:

Shocked 2 know abt demise of Kundan Shah ji.Will b remembered 4 his cult classic #JaneBhiDoYaaro & his contribution 2 films n Tv. #OmShanti🙏 pic.twitter.com/lDmAXBdDTo

— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) October 7, 2017

Hansal Mehta:

Jaane bhi do yaaron… RIP Kundan Shah. 🙏🏻 Sad news.

— Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) October 7, 2017

Ashoke Pandit: Sad to know about the demise of one of our finest directors Kundan Shah. Will miss you sir! ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro’.

Vikram Bhatt:

Kundan Shah, the man who gave us the unforgettable Jaane bhi do yaaro leaves us. He is gone… He lives on…

— Vikram Bhatt (@TheVikramBhatt) October 7, 2017

Sudhir Mishra:

Kundanmy teacher,friend,once my Partner n always a inspiration.Was wise,crazy,academic, imaginative n mourned d impossibility of true love.

— Sudhir Mishra (@IAmSudhirMishra) October 7, 2017

Abhishek Kapoor:

V have has lost another gem,#KundanShah showed us tht u dnt hve 2 hve 300 films in ur filmography 2have made it.1 #JaaneBhiDoYaaron is = 500

— Abhishek Kapoor (@Abhishekapoor) October 7, 2017

Rasika Dugal:

#RIP Kundan Shah. Your films and your generosity will remain with me forever. Till we meet again.

— Rasika Dugal (@RasikaDugal) October 7, 2017