The former Maharashtra Chief Minister was admitted for treatment of a liver ailment in a Chennai hospital where he passed away this afternoon.
"I am feeling very sorry. I have known Vilasrao Deshmukh for years. Riteish is a close friend of mine, I spoke to him," Shah Rukh told reporters here at an event.
"I am very sad. It is unexpected. He was a wonderful gentleman apart from being the Chief Minister. I am deeply disturbed. I am very sorry to hear this... My respects to the family," SRK added.
Actor Akshay Kumar posted on twitter, "The man who had Mumbai's Shanghai dream is no more. RIP Vilasrao Deshmukh ji, a visionary and the father of my dear friend @Riteishd. May God give you strength."
Actress Madhuri Dixit sent condolences to the family. "Sorry to hear that Vilasrao Deshmukh has passed away. Our condolences go out to his family," she posted on twitter.
Filmmaker Karan Johar wrote on the micro-blogging site: "RIP VILASRAO SIR... Thoughts and prayers with the family... love you Riteish... All the strength... And all the courage."
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Actress Raveena Tandon reached out to both Riteish and his actress wife Genelia D'Souza on twitter. "Rest In Peace Vilasrao Deshmukh. Condolences to the bereaved family, @Riteishd and @geneliad, words cannot express the shock nd grief we are feeling," she wrote.
Veteran actress Shabana Azmi offered her condolences, saying he was too young to die. "Vilasrao Deshmukh no more. Too young to die. As CM he gave Nivara a lot of support for our slum rehabilitation project. Condolences to the family."