Noted Hindi poet and film star Amitabh Bachchan's father Harivansh Rai Bachchan died in Mumbai on Saturday night at 2340 IST after a prolonged illness, the Bachchans' family friend and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh said.

The 95-year-old poet had been suffering from respiratory problems and his condition had deteriorated on Wednesday night, according to family sources.

Bachchan had been kept under observation at an Intensive Care Unit set up at Pratiksha, Amitabh Bachchan's residence in suburban Juhu.

He is survived by his wife Teji Bachchan and sons Amitabh and Ajitabh.