MUMBAI: Anthony Minghella, who won an Oscar for directing The English Patient, has passed away at the age of 54.

Minghella began his career writing scripts for British TV shows before his play Made in Bangkok found mainstream success in London's West End in 1986.

A decade later, Minghella won an Oscar for The English Patient. He was also nominated for the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for The Talented Mr Ripley and Cold Mountain.

Paying tribute to Minghella, British PM Gordon Brown said, "He was one of Britain's greatest creative talents, one of our finest screenwriters and directors, a great champion of the British film industry, and an expert on literature and opera. He will be deeply missed, but his contribution to British culture will be remembered for many years to come."

Former PM Tony Blair said that Minghella was an artist of the highest calibre. Actor Jude Law, who starred in two films made by Minghella, said that Minghella was a brilliantly talented writer and director who wrote dialogue that was a joy to speak and then put it on to the screen in a way that always looked effortless.

Minghella was filming one of 15 short movies, collectively entitled New York, I Love You, at the time of his death.