Mumbai, Aug 14 :  Union minister and former Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh passed away in a Chennai hospital
Tuesday following a prolonged illness. The Hindi film fraternity wished peace to the departed soul and strength to the late minister's family, including his actor-son Riteish.

Vilasrao was 67 and is survived by his wife and three sons.

Celebrities like Madhuri Dixit and Karan Johar extended condolences to the bereaved family through Twitter.

Here's what they wrote:

Madhuri Dixit: Sorry to hear that Vilasrao Deshmukh has passed away. Our condolences go out to his family.

Karan Johar: RIP Vilasrao sir. Thoughts and prayers with the family... love you Riteish, all the strength and all the courage.

Siddharth: Deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh. Praying they find the strength to face this terrible loss.

Bipasha Basu: RIP Vilasrao Deshmukh sir! Strength to you Riteish and family! Extremely sad news!

Dia Mirza: This is just so sad... My heart goes out to the entire Deshmukh family.

Raveena Tandon: Rest in peace Vilasrao Deshmukh. Condolences to the bereaved family, Riteish and (his wife) Genelia, words cannot express the shock and grief we (are) feeling.

Shreyas Talpade: RIP Vilasraoji. May god give strength to the family to overcome this grief.

Ken Ghosh: Prayers for Vilasrao Deshmukh strength to the family.

Aftab Shivdasani: Shocked and sad to hear of the passing of Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh. Prayers and peace to Riteish and the whole family.

Vishal Dadlani: RIP Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh. I wish Riteish and his family, strength and forbearance to cope with this tragic loss.

© IANS