The President, the vice president and the prime minister on Wednesday led the nation in condoling the death of versatile actor and Union Sports Minister Sunil Dutt.

In a condolence message to his son Sanjay Dutt [Images] from St Petersburg [Images], where he is on a State visit, President A P J Abdul Kalam, said Sunil Dutt had made significant contributions to the fields of art and public life and he was "shocked to learn about the sudden and untimely demise your father. May his soul rest in peace."

• The last Sunil Dutt interview

"Kindly accept my heartfelt condolences and convey them to the rest of the members of your family," Kalam said in the message.

Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat expressed his heart-felt grief over the sudden demise of the veteran actor, parliamentarian, philanthropist and social worker. Describing him as a "champion of peace and brotherhood", he said Dutt was a multi-faceted personality who excelled in every field. The Union Cabinet, at its emergency meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images], condoled Dutt's death and declared a day's national mourning.

• You will be missed Mr Dutt

Singh has left for Mumbai to attend Dutt's funeral. Congress chief Sonia Gandhi [Images], who is also attending the funeral, described Dutt as "a special human being".