Hashmat Fanayee, a well-known cinema actor in the country, passed away at the age of 72 on Wednesday night, his son reported.

Relatives of Fanayee say he had been suffering from diabetes for many years and died from this disease in Kabul on Wednesday.

Fanayee’s body was buried in Kabul.

Fanayee had played roles in dozens of films and plays, including the movies "The Girl in the White Shirt" and "On the Way to Hope," as well as "Saboor and Soldier."

A number of the country's filmmakers said they consider Fanayee’s death a great loss to the country.

“When Fanayee came to Afghanistan from India, he was not able to shine in short stories and feature films. Lately, he had mostly theater projects and played roles in the theater,” said Nabi Tanha, actor.

“Fanayee passed away and joined eternity, but his eyes did not see the open gates of the country's cinema and theater like dozens of other movie and theater actors,” said Faqir Maiwand, an analyst of the media in post-war countries.

Fanayee also played a role in the film "Sin, " which was made in the 1960's.

Fanayee was born in Kabul in 1327 and completed his primary education at Hassan Meyakhail High school in Khan Abad district of Kunduz province.

He completed his engineering studies in the former Soviet Union. He has been married four times and has seven children--four sons and three daughters.