Sir Christopher Lee who played Jinnah dies at 93

Christopher described his role as Jinnah as 'the most important role I have ever played'

Sir Christopher Lee who played Jinnah in his 1998 biopic  has died aged 93.

The legendary actor, who also appeared in Lord of the Rings, passed away on Sunday at London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, sources close to his family told the Telegraph.

In an interview with a local radio show Christopher described Jinnah as an 'important film' and cited a number of different reasons for doing it. "I think that the film Jinnah, is an extremely important film for many reasons and it should be seen now. The reasons, and there are quite a few of them: One, it shows the true meaning of Islam, Islam means submission to the will of God, it does not mean terrorism, fundamentalism.

"Secondly it shows the creation of a Muslim state and how it came into being. How the founder of that nation achieved this and again, it has nothing to do with all the dreadful things that are happening recently," said the actor.

He was full of praises for the Father of the Nation and for him it was the most important role he played as an actor.

"It is a story of a true Muslim and the people around him who decided that the Muslims of India need a country of their own," he said. "They say there are still seven million Muslims living in India but of course Pakistan was created in 1947. The man responsible for this was Muhammad Ali Jinnah: known of course to Pakistan as the Quaid-e-Azam which means 'the great leader'.”

The actor who was knighted in 2009 for his services to drama and charity had once said about Jinnah, "For me as an actor, it is certainly the most important role I have ever played, because the responsibility on my shoulders was immense. I went to the country he founded. I was there for ten weeks playing the leader of the nation, the creator of the nation in the country he created in front of his own people," said Christopher.

Sir Christopher had been treated at the hospital for respiratory problems and heart failure in the last three weeks.

According to the publication, Lady Lee opted to delay the news of his death until family members were told.

The star has played a number of memorable roles, like Saruman in the Lord of the Rings film franchise. He also made a name for himself as Bond villain Francisco Scaramanga in the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun in 1974 and played Count Dooku in two Star Wars motion pictures.

Besides Jinnah and Lord of the Rings, Christopher appeared alongside Veronica Carlson in Dracula has Risen from the Grave, as well as The Wicker Tree, Dark Shadows, Hugo and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies last year.

He was due to star in Lars Ole Hansen movie The 11th.

Here's what the legendary actor has to say about playing Jinnah:

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Hearing about his death, people took to Twitter to express their sorrow:

Oh this is just DEVASTATING! I grew up on Hammer Horrors, and frankly best thing about Pak that #ChristopherLee once played Jinnah.

— Faiza S Khan (@BhopalHouse) June 11, 2015

#ChristopherLee dies aged 93 - an actor who will be remembered forever I'm sure - from his Hammer Horrers to Jinnah to LordOfTheRings #RIP

— Saima Mohsin (@SaimaMohsin) June 11, 2015

https://twitter.com/aurAdil/status/608971399261134848

Met Christopher Lee many times during the filming of Jinnah. A giant in every way. RIP.

— Bina Shah (@BinaShah) June 11, 2015

RIP Christopher Lee. The ultimate badass. pic.twitter.com/ujDHnc272S

— George Aylett (@GeorgeAylett) June 11, 2015

God speed Saruman of many Colors #ChristopherLee

— Faisal Rafi (@faisalrafi) June 11, 2015

My favorite Christopher Lee performance will always be The Wicker Man. Him prancing and leading that cult down to the beach seared me. #RIP

— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) June 11, 2015

So sad to hear that Christopher Lee has died. He was so many great characters, the best one being himself. #RIP

— Daniel Parsons (@dkparsonswriter) June 11, 2015

R.I.P. Christopher lee...he will always be alive thru his various entertaining characters...especially scaramanga...😢 pic.twitter.com/Ci4brq0VEe

— Sajid Khan (@SimplySajidK) June 11, 2015

https://twitter.com/tomwarren/status/608967064129294336

RIP #ChristopherLee one of the best horror actors pic.twitter.com/YZFhcFFhB3

— Jenna (@Satanika66613) June 11, 2015

https://twitter.com/VicArmstrong/status/608973683705675776