Shammi Kapoor a cheerful and nice human being: Lata Mangeshkar

Expressing grief over the death of veteran actor Shammi Kapoor, legendary playback singer Lata Mangeshkar remembered him as a "cheerful and courageous" person.

"I am saddened with the death of Shammi Kapoorji. He was a big star of the film industry and also a very good human being. He was very lively person... courageous, faced all difficulties very bravely," Lata said on micro-blogging site Twitter.

The 79-year-old actor passed away this morning due to chronic renal failure at Breach Candy hospital in Mumbai.

"He was on dialysis for quite sometime. Even though he had to take treatment thrice a week he was a very cheerful and happy-go-lucky person. He used to attend functions also. When he had received Dinanath Mangeshkar award he had come to Pune... at that time he was not on dialysis and used to drive," she said.

"Also, Shammiji was a very good singer. He has learnt music and used to call me his sister. I am feeling awful by his death and may his soul rest in peace," she added.