The Nepali film world mourned the death of Pratap Subba, veteran filmmaker from Darjeeling. He was 76.

Subba breathed his last at Siliguri on Thursday after a long spell of illness. On Saturday, hundreds paid their tribute to him at the Gorkha Dukha Niwarak Sammelan Ground in Darjeeling where his body was kept before being taken to the crematorium.

Subba made his debut as a feature film director with Paralko Aago in 1978, after which he made films such as Bachna Chahane Haru in 1982, Mashal in 1985, Kahi Andhyaro Kahi Ujyalo in 1988, Didi in 1992, Chatyang in 1994 and Bhisma Pratigy in 1995.

Bollywood actor Danny Denzongpa made his Nepali film debut in Subba’s Mashal.

Paralko Aago made Subba a household name not just in and around Darjeeling but also in Nepal. The female lead in the film was Nepal’s Basundhara Bhusal.

Subba’s work courted controversy during the politically volatile Darjeeling and the premiere of Kahi Andhyaro Kahi Ujyalo had to be scaled down in 1988. “Subba then went to Kathmandu, and though his base remained Darjeeling, he spent a lot of time in Nepal,” said a family source.

In Nepal, popular actor Nir Shah asked him to foray into TV serials. Subba made telefilms like Kanchk Chura and Sapana Shakti, among others, in Nepal. Nir Shah had taken part in a documentary, Sahish Keta, which Subba had directed before his feature film debut. Subba’s other documentary Deuraliko Maya was dubbed both in Bengali and English.

Lalit Golay, one of the most talented actors from Darjeeling hills, said: “I learnt the ABC of cinema from him.”

Prakash Shyami, a film director from Kathmandu, said: “His contribution to our films is immense.”