Mumbai, Sep 19 (IANS): Udaya Tara Nayar, Bollyood actor Dilip Kumar's close friend, said Thursday he is improving and urged people to desist from spreading rumours about him.

"He is better and his health is improving steadily. He is still in the ICU (intensive care unit), but he is fine," Nayar told IANS.

Dilip Kumar was admitted Sunday evening to the Lilavati Hospital after he complained of uneasiness. Doctors later diagnosed a heart attack.

Ever since the "Devdas" star has been hospitalised, some reports have pronounced him dead. Nayar requested people not to spread such rumours about the thespian, known as one of the greatest actors of Indian cinema.

"For the past few days I have been getting some negative news. Please, stop spreading these kinds of dirty rumours," said Nayar, who also shared a picture of the actor with IANS.

Nayar informed that the 90-year-old's wife and yesteryear actress Saira Banu is by his side all the time.

"Saira has been such a great human being, she is always by his side and praying for him. She does so much for him, she is such a good wife and she has a lot of self-confidence," he said.

Also knonw as Tragedy King, Dilip Kumar was active on the big screen for six decades and from playing the lead roles in films like "Jwar Bhata" "Mela", "Naya Daur", "Tarana", "Ganga Jamuna", "Leader" and "Mughal-E-Azam". Later he got into character roles with elan in "Shakti", "Karma" and "Saudagar".

Post "Quila" in 1998, he decided to retire and since he has been away from the grease paint and arclight.