Hrishikesh Mukherjee, who won the hearts of Indians and rose to be among the country's most acclaimed directors for films that ran the gamut from comedy to tragedy, has died after a prolonged illness, a member of his staff said Monday. He was 84.

Mukherjee passed away Sunday at Bombay's Leelavati Hospital, where he regularly received kidney dialysis and was treated in recent months for renal failure and pneumonia, said one of his employees, R. Mehta.

Popularly known as Hrishida, a Hindi term used for a much-loved elder brother, Mukherjee directed more than 45 Hindi-language movies during his nearly 50-year career. Among his best known movies were "Anand," "Guddi," "Milie" _ names of the movies' main characters _ as well as "Chupke Chupke," or "Quietly, Quietly," and "Khubsoorat," or "Beautiful."

India's President Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said of Mukherjee: "His films were known for their simplicity and examined human nature from all its aspects."

Prime Minister Singh called Mukherjee, who won numerous awards for his work, was a "humane and socially conscious filmmaker."

On Monday, Indian television stations ran programs in his memory.

Mukherjee made his directorial debut in 1957 with "Musafir," or "Traveler," followed by "Anari," or "Amateur."

The 1970s saw some of his best-loved movies, including "Anand," which told the story of a doctor treating a terminally ill cancer patient. The doctor's role launched the career of Amitabh Bachchan, who today is one of Bollywood biggest movie stars.

Mukherjee's comedies _ movies that include "Chupke Chupke," and "Golmaal," or "Confusion" _ are considered Bollywood classics and are regularly rebroadcast on Indian television.

Among the awards he won were the prestigious Padma Vibhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

"Hrishida was respected and loved. He was the greatest film director I have worked with," veteran actor Dharmendra, who only uses one name, told reporters Monday.

Mukherjee is survived by three daughters and a son. His funeral is scheduled to take place Tuesday.