Garry Bhinder succumbs to blood cancer

by Meenakshi Shankar

Jul 07, 2008, Bangalore

Garry Bhinder, who directed a number of Balaji shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii passed away this morning. Bhinder was suffering from blood cancer and was hospitalized at Hinduja Hospital under critical condition a week ago. A close aide of the Balaji camp, Ekta Kapoor, infact, has been on an overdrive arranging blood transfusion for Garry Bhinder. Circulating SMS's amongst the television fraternity, she's infact gone to prove that she indeed takes care of the loyalist.

Writer Rekha Modi says, "My association with Garry has been from the days of Kyunki and Kahaani. Our relation was one, based on complete harmony. I would put words to his vision. He has also done shows like Kkusum, Kahiin Toh Hoga and Kasauti Zindagi Kay. He was a great human being. He didn't disclose his disease to anyone else we could have helped him. "It was only recently when he was directing Kahaani Hamaray Mahaabhaarat Ki and he had to be hospitalized that the doctors broke the news about his fatal illness."

It came as a shock to the entire unit. One day, Garry had given us the vision and next moment, he was hospitalized. It seemed surreal to all of us. He's been a friend and a guiding force to the entire unit. The loss is felt, not just by his family, but by all his near and dear ones."

Ekta Kapoor's epic mythology kick starts today on 9X. Garry was a guiding force in shaping Ekta's version of Mahabharat. We tried contacting Ekta, but till the time the story was filed, she was not reachable.