President A P J Abdul Kalam has condoled the death of noted film maker Ramanand Sagar who passed away on Monday night at his residence in Juhu in Mumbai.

The President sent a personal letter to Sagar's wife Lilawati, expressing grief over the loss of the great film maker.

The Man behind the Ramayan

"Shri Sagar was known for his creativity throughout his life. He will be remembered for his contribution to changing the face of Indian Television through the many serials that he directed and produced for the small screen, and also for his movies which were box office hits," Kalam said in his message.

Eighty-seven-year-old producer and director Ramanand Sagar is survived by his wife Lilawati, five sons and a daughter.

President Kalam's reference to his contribution to changing the face of Indian television is an indirect reference to the popularity of Sagar's mega-tele serial Ramayan that brought him fame than any of his film ventures.