Bollywood director Raj Kanwar has died on the age of fifty.

He passed on to the great beyond in Singapore after travelling there for a kidney transplant.

Kanwar is most famed for launching the career of Shah Rukh Khan in 1992 with the film Deewana. The actor led the tributes on Twitter, writing: “My friend Raj Kanwarji passed on to the great beyond. The impermanence of life, makes one feel so helpless. May his soul rest in peace. Aisi Deewangi… miss u sir.”

The director also signed up Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra for his or her first Bollywood endeavour, 2003′s Andaaz.

“Saddens me a lot, my first director Raj Kanwar kicked the bucket..RIP Rajji..You believed in me when even i did not. Andaaz taught me everything i do know ,” Chopra tweeted.

Actor Abhishek Bachchan said: “Terribly saddened by the passing of Raj Kanwar. Was the 1st person to sign me after Refugee. He made Aishwarya and my 1st film together. Dhai Akshar Prem Ke.

“Was an attractive man, always happy, smiling and joking. Have wonderful wonderful memories of him. Now not more. Thanks much Raj ji for the memories. i’ll miss you.”