President Ram Nath Kovind condoles death of filmmaker Kalpana Lajmi, lauds her 'rare sensitivity'Sep 23 (AZINS) President of India Ram Nath Kovind condoled the death of critically-acclaimed writer-director Kalpana Lajmi, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 64.

The filmmaker, who was suffering from kidney ailment, breathed her last at Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital early morning.

In his condolence message to her family and friends on Twitter, Kovind lauded Lajmi for her 'rare sensitivity' in depicting 'strong and resilient women' on screen.

He also praised her for presenting picturesque Assam on the celluloid.

"Sorry to hear of the passing of Kalpana Lajmi, a film-maker of rare sensitivity. The repertoire of her work, from depicting strong and resilient women to cinematic renditions of Assamese life, was remarkable. Condolences to her family and well-wishers #PresidentKovind," the post from official Twitter account of Rashtrapati Bhavan read.

Kalpana Lajmi debuted as an assistant director under renowned film director Shyam Benegal, who was also her uncle. She went on to work as an assistant costume designer in Shyam's Bhumika: The Role (1977), starring Smita Patil, Amol Palekar and Naseeruddin Shah, among others.

She made her directorial debut with the documentary, D.G. Movie Pioneer in 1978. Known for making fiery films with women at the core of her stories, her filmography boasts of movies like Ek Pal, Rudaali, Daman, Darmiyaan and Chingaari (2006), her last directorial.

Kalpana Lajmi's brother, Dev, said the last rites of the director will be conducted on Sunday.