Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.

The great director Satyajit Ray after receiving the Honorary Academic Award from Audrey Hepburn, _________ in his Kolkata home. 

breathed his last

The most appropriate option to fill in the blank is breathed his last.

Satyajit Ray was a great Indian filmmaker who received the Honorary Academic Award from Audrey Hepburn. He died in his Kolkata home a few days after receiving the award. The phrase "breathed his last" means to die. It is the most appropriate word to use in this context, as it refers to the end of Ray's life.

The other options are not as appropriate:

• Nipped in the bud means to prevent something from developing. It would not be accurate to use "nipped in the bud" in this context, as Ray's death was not preventable.
• Kept the ball rolling means to keep something moving forward. It would not be accurate to use "kept the ball rolling" in this context, as Ray's death was not a positive event.
• Dug the grave means to prepare a place for someone to be buried. It would not be accurate to use "dug the grave" in this context, as Ray's death was not something that he planned or wanted.