1 / 39The Indian film and television industry lost some of its gems in 2020. From Sushant Singh Rajput, Irrfan Khan, SP Balasubrahmanyam, Rishi Kapoor to Nishikant Kamat, Saroj Khan and Jagdeep, many celebrities left a void in the Indian entertainment industry. Here is a look back at all the stars who passed away this year.
2 / 39Abhilash
Veteran lyricist Abhilash died of a stomach illness in Mumbai on September 28. He was 74. In a career spanning five decades, Abhilash penned lyrics for films like Raftaar (1975), Awara Ladki (1975), Sawan Ko Aane Do (1979), Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988) and Hulchul (1995) among others. He was best known for writing the song "Itni Shakti Hamein Dena Daata" in 1986 film Ankush. The song got translated into eight languages and is played as a prayer across schools even to this day. (Photo: Divine Melodies/YouTube Screengrab)
3 / 39SP Balasubrahmanyam
Singer-actor SP Balasubrahmanyam passed away at the age of 74, on September 25 following coronavirus complications. After testing positive for Covid-19 in the first week of August, he was shifted to the ICU after his condition deteriorated. He remained on ventilator till his last breath. Fans will remember him for his unparalleled contribution to Indian music. SPB held a Guinness World record for singing over 40,000 songs. (Photo: SP Balasubrahmanyam/Facebook)
4 / 39Rockline Sudhakar
Kannada comedian Rockline Sudhakar passed away on September 23 following a cardiac arrest. The 65-year-old actor collapsed on the set of the movie Sugarless. Sudhakar acted in over 200 Kannada movies including Pancharangi, Paramathma, Drama, Mr and Mrs Ramachari, Love In Mandya and Vaastu Prakara. (Photo: Darshan Thoogudeepa/Facebook)
5 / 39Bhupesh Kumar Pandya
Theatre personality and actor Bhupesh Kumar Pandya passed away on September 23 after a battle with lung cancer. Bhupesh starred in films like Vicky Donor and Hazaron Khwahishein Aisi. (Photo: National School of Drama/Twitter)
6 / 39Ashalata Wabgaonkar
Veteran actor Ashalata Wabgaonkar died on September 22 in Satara at the age of 79. Wabgaonkar had worked in films like Woh Saat Din, Ahista Ahista, Shaukeen, Ankush and Namak Halaal. (Express Archive Photo)
7 / 39Prabeesh Chakkalakkal
Malayalam actor and dubbing artiste Prabeesh Chakkalakkal passed away on September 14 in Kochi. As per reports, the 44-year-old actor collapsed on the sets of an awareness movie and was later pronounced dead upon reaching the hospital. (Photo: Prabeesh Chakkalakkal/Facebook)
8 / 39Florent C Pereira
Tamil actor Florent C Pereira passed away in Chennai on September 14. He was 67. Pereira made his debut in Tamil cinema with Pudhiya Geethai in 2003. He shot to fame with Kayal and went on to act in movies like Dharmadurai, VIP 2, Raja Manthiri, Thodari, Mupparimanam, Kodiveeran, Enkitta Mothathe, Sathriyan, Podhuvaga En Manasu Thangam, Nagesh Thiraiyarangam and Taramaniand. Besides films, Florent C Pereira worked with Win TV, Kalaignar TV and Vijay TV. (Photo: R. Seenu Ramasamy/Twitter)
9 / 39Ajit Das
Veteran Odia actor Ajit Das, known for his performance in films such as Hakim Babu and Tunda Baida, died on September 13. He was admitted to a hospital after testing positive for Covid-19. An NSD passout, Das acted in more than 60 Odia films and produced several others. His other popular films included Maa, Nandini I Love You and Kebe Tame Naha Kebe Mu Nahi. Ishq Puni Thare was his last film. (Photo: Kalinga TV/Twitter)
10 / 39Vadivel Balaji
Tamil actor Vadivel Balaji passed away at a Chennai hospital on September 10. He was 42. According to reports, Vadivel Balaji was under treatment after suffering a heart attack. Vadivel Balaji was seen in films like Kolamaavu Kokila, Pandhayam, Sutta Pazham Sudatha Pazham, Kadhal Panchayathu, Karpanai and Yaaruda Mahesh. (Photo: Vijay TV/Twitter)
11 / 39Sravani Kondapalli
Telugu TV actor Sravani Kondapalli died by suicide on September 8 at her residence in Hyderabad. The 26-year-old allegedly ended her life due to the harassment by TV actor Ambati Devaraja Reddy, realtor Mangamuthula Sai Krishna Reddy and Tollywood producer Gummakonda Ashok Reddy, who have been charged with abetment to suicide. Sravani has done roles in popular TV serials such as Manasu Mamatha and Mounaragam. (Photo: Sravani Kondapalli/Facebook)
12 / 39Jaya Prakash Reddy
Telugu actor Jaya Prakash Reddy passed away at his residence in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh on September 8 after suffering a cardiac arrest. The 74-year-old actor's popular films include Samarasimha Reddy, Preminchukundam Raa, Narasimha Naidu, Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana, Julayi, Ready, Kick, Jayam Manadera, Jamba Lakidi Pamba, Avunu Valliddaru Istapaddaru, Kabaddi Kabbadi, Evadi Gola Vadidi and Kithakithalu. (Photo: Nikhil Siddhartha/Twitter)
13 / 39S. Mohinder
Veteran music composer S Mohinder passed away on September 6 at the age of 94. The popular musician, of the 50s and the 60s, composed for about 50 films including Shrimati Ji (1952), Paapi (1953), Naata (1955) and Picnic (1966). (Express Archive Photo)
14 / 39Archana Mahanta
Veteran Assamese singer Archana Mahanta passed away at a Guwahati hospital on August 27. She was 72. Mahanta had suffered a stroke in mid-July, and her condition deteriorated since. Along with her husband Khagen Mahanta, Mahanta is credited with popularising Assamese folk music. (Photo: Manishankar Pandey/Twitter)
15 / 39AB Raj
Veteran filmmaker AB Raj passed away in Chennai on August 23 following a cardiac arrest. He was 95. AB Raj directed more than 10 films in Sinhalese under the name A Bhaskar Raj. Post 1960s, he made movies in Malayalam including Football Champion, Pacha Nottukal, Sasthram Jayichu Manushyan Thottu, Kalippava, Nirthasala, Sambhavami Yuge Yuge, Marunnattil Oru Malayali, Neethi, Ezhuthatha Katha, Lottery, Ticket, Kannoor Deluxe and Kaliyalla Kalyanam. Tamil film Thulli Odum Pullimaan was his directorial debut. (Photo: B Unnikrishnan/Twitter)
16 / 39Nishikant Kamat
Director-actor Nishikant Kamat passed away on August 17 in Hyderabad’s AIG Hospitals, after a battle with liver cirrhosis. He was 50. The director was known for helming movies such as Dombivali Fast, Mumbai Meri Jaan, Force, Drishyam, Rocky Handsome and Madaari. As an actor, he was known for his performances in Daddy, Rocky Handsome, Julie 2 and Bhavesh Joshi. His directorial debut Dombivali Fast (2005) won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi. (Express Archive Photo)
17 / 39Rahat Indori
Poet and lyricist Rahat Indori passed away due to cardiorespiratory arrest on August 11. Besides his many famous poems, he was known for penning songs like “Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili” (Kareeb), “Bumbro” (Mission Kashmir), “Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai” (Meenaxi), “Dil Ko Hazar Bar” (Murder) among others. (Express Archive Photo)
18 / 39Anupama Pathak
Bhojpuri actor Anupama Pathak was found dead at her home in Mumbai on August 7. Hailing from Purnea district in Bihar, Anupama had worked in Bhojpuri films and TV shows. Police, based on the preliminary investigation, said Pathak, 40, died by suicide. (Photo: Anupama Pathak/Facebook)
19 / 39Sameer Sharma
TV actor Sameer Sharma, last seen in the Star Plus show Yeh Rishtey Hain Pyaar Ke, died by suicide at his residence in Mumbai on August 6. The 44-year-old actor was popular for his role in TV shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Left Right Left, Jyoti, Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon – Ek Baar Phir among others. He also starred in 2014 romantic drama Hasee Toh Phasee, which had Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra in the lead roles.
20 / 39Kumkum
Veteran Bollywood actor Kumkum, who featured in over 100 films and popular songs such as “Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar” and “Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi”, passed away on July 28. She was 86. The actor was best known for her roles in movies like Mr. X in Bombay, Mother India, Son Of India, Kohinoor, Ujala, Naya Daur, Shreeman Funtoosh, Ek Sapera Ek Lutera, Ganga Ki Laharen, Raja Aur Runk, Aankhen, Lalkaar, Geet and Ek Kuwara Ek Kuwari. (Express Archive Photo)
21 / 39Rajat Mukherjee
Bollywood director Rajat Mukherjee passed away on July 19 in Jaipur due to kidney-related issues. The filmmaker was known for helming films like Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, Love in Nepal, Road among others. He was in his late 50s. (Express Archive Photo)
22 / 39Jagdeep
Remembered by many as "Soorma Bhopali" of Sholay, actor Jagdeep passed away on July 8 following age-related health issues. The 81-year-old actor had to his credit over 400 films. He entertained the audience with his spot-on comic timing and later even tried his hands at directing movies. (Express Archive Photo)
23 / 39Susheel Gowda
Susheel Gowda, best known for his role in Kannada soap opera Anthapura, died by suicide on July 7. He has also played an important role in upcoming Kannada movie Salaga, which marks Duniya Vijay’s directorial debut.
24 / 39Harish Shah
Filmmaker Harish Shah passed away in Mumbai on July 7, following a long battle with cancer. He was 76. Harish Shah started his Bollywood journey by bankrolling Rajesh Khanna’s Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972). He followed it up with films like Kala Sona (1975) and Ram Tere Kitne Naam (1985). Harish’s last Bollywood production was the Sunny Deol starrer Jaal the Trap (2003). (Express Archive Photo)
25 / 39Saroj Khan
Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan passed away in Mumbai on July 3, following a cardiac arrest. She was 71. In a career spanning forty years, she choreographed nearly 2000 songs. Her most successful collaborations were with actors Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit. She choreographed songs like “Ek Do Teen”, “Hum Ko Aaj Kal Hai Intezaar”, “Dhak Dhak Karne Laga”, “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai”, and “Tamma Tamma” among others. (Express Archive Photo)
26 / 39Sushant Singh Rajput
Actor Sushant Singh Rajput passed away in Mumbai on June 14. After starring in TV shows Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil and Pavitra Rishta, Rajput made his Bollywood debut in Abhishek Kapoor’s Kai Po Che! He then starred in Shuddh Desi Romance (2013), Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015), and gave his career-best performance as MS Dhoni in 2016’s MS Dhoni: The Untold Story. In 2019, he had two big releases, the critically-acclaimed Sonchiriya, and the popular movie Chhichhore. Sushant's last film Dil Bechara had a digital release after his death. (Photo: Sushant Singh Rajput/Instagram)
27 / 39Jagesh Mukati
Television actor Jagesh Mukati, who worked in shows like Amita Ka Amit and Shree Ganesh, passed away on June 12. He was 47. Mukati also featured in Gujarati plays and shows. He was also seen in Parineeti Chopra-Sidharth Malhotra starrer Hasee Toh Phasee.
28 / 39Chiranjeevi Sarja
Kannada actor Chirranjeevi Sarja passed away on June 7 in Bengaluru, following a heart attack. He was 39. He was the brother of actor Dhruva Sarja and nephew of actor Arjun Sarja. Chirranjeevi was launched by Arjun who bankrolled the former’s debut movie Vayuputra, the remake of Tamil film Sandakozhi, in 2009. And in a career spanning about ten years, he acted in more than 20 movies. The actor was last seen in Shivarjuna.
29 / 39Basu Chatterjee
Filmmaker-screenwriter Basu Chatterjee, best known for directing films like Choti Si Baat, Rajnigandha, Baaton Baaton Mein, Ek Ruka Hua Faisla and Chameli Ki Shaadi among others, passed away on June 4 in Mumbai, following age-related ailments. He was 93. Known for his distinct cinematic language, he was one of the pioneers of middle-of-the-road cinema. (Express Archive Photo)
30 / 39Anil Suri
Bollywood producer Anil Suri, who bankrolled films like Raaj Kumar-Rekha starrer Karmayogi and Raaj Tilak, passed away due to coronavirus on June 4. He was 77. (Photo: Bharati K Dubey/Twitter)
31 / 39Wajid Khan
Wajid Khan of Bollywood music composer duo Sajid-Wajid passed away due to cardiac arrest on June 1. He was 42. He was popular for his songs like “Hud Hud Dabangg”, “Jalwa”, “Chinta Ta Ta Chita Chita” and “Fevicol Se” among others.
32 / 39Yogesh Gaur
Veteran lyricist Yogesh Gaur, known as Yogesh in the film industry, passed away on May 29. He was 77. Yogesh wrote the lyrics of hit songs “Kahin duur jab din dhal jaye” and “Zindagi kaisi hai paheli” that defined the superhit film Anand (1971). He worked with many prominent names including Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee. His last outing as a lyricist was in the 2017 film Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain. (Express Archive Photo)
33 / 39Preksha Mehta
Television actor Preksha Mehta died by suicide on May 25. She acted in TV shows like Crime Patrol, Tu Aashiqui, Laal Ishq and Meri Durga. Preksha was also a part of Akshay Kumar starrer Padman. (Photo: Preksha Mehta/Instagram)
34 / 39Mohit Baghel
Actor Mohit Baghel, best known for playing Amar Chaudhary in superstar Salman Khan’s Ready, died of cancer on May 24. He was 26. Mohit has also acted in films Ekkees Toppon Ki Salaami and Gali Gali Chor Hai. (Photo: Mohit Baghel/Instagram)
35 / 39Rishi Kapoor
Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor passed away in Mumbai on April 30, following a long battle with cancer. He was 67. The actor was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and had then travelled to New York for treatment. Kapoor is survived by his wife Neetu Kapoor, and children Ranbir Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor. (Express Archive Photo)
36 / 39Irrfan Khan
Irrfan Khan breathed his last on April 29 in Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, after a long battle with cancer. He was 53. Irrfan Khan’s health had been on the decline ever since he was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in 2018. He had been travelling to London frequently for treatment. His last Hindi film was Angrezi Medium, which released on March 13 this year. (Express Archive Photo)
37 / 39Sethuraman
Tamil actor and dermatologist Dr Sethuraman passed away on March 26 in Chennai after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 34. Also known as Sethu in the Tamil film industry, Dr Sethuraman made his debut in Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya alongside Santhanam and Vishaka Singh. He went on to act in films like Vaaliba Raja, 50/50 and Sakka Podu Podu Raja.
38 / 39Nimmi
Veteran actor Nimmi passed away on March 25 at a hospital in Mumbai’s Juhu. She was 87. Born as Nawab Banoo, Nimmi made her debut in Raj Kapoor’s Barsaat. She appeared in a string of hit movies in the 50s and early 60s. Some of her memorable movies included Mehboob Khan’s Aan (1952), Daag (1952), Amar (1954), Uran Khatola (1955), Basant Bahar (1956) and Mere Mehboob (1963). (Express Archive Photo)
39 / 39Sejal Sharma
TV actor Sejal Sharma, best known for her role of Simmi Khosla in Star Plus’ Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji, reportedly, died by suicide on January 24. Besides Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji, Sharma was seen in &TV’s Laal Ishq and Zing’s Zindagi U. She also starred in Being Indian’s web series Azad Parinde. (Photo: Sejal Sharma/Instagram)