Indian film industry's most beloved icons we have lost in 2017
Last updated on - Dec 14, 2017, 15:45 ISTShare fbsharetwsharepinshare
01/11Indian film industry's most beloved icons we have lost in 2017
This year seemed to be quite the fruitful year for Bollywood. While quite a few celebrities tied the knot, many others had children. Bollywood seemed to be blooming with life. But through all the happiness, there were certain moments of sadness. This year also claimed lives of many talented celebrities from the world of Hindi cinema, creating a void that can never be filled. Here is a list of Indian film industry's most beloved icons we have lost in 2017.
02/11Neeraj Vora
Bollywood actor-director Neeraj Vora, who made everyone laugh on-screen with his amazing films, passed away on Thursday morning. At the age of 54, the actor succumbed to death after a year-long battle with illness. The actor passed away at 4 am on Thursday. The actor had been in a coma for the past year. Although his health had significantly improved, it suddenly deteriorated on Thursday. The actor was rushed to the hospital, but unfortunately, he passed away. He will always be remembered for his contribution to the film industry.
03/11Shashi Kapoor
Veteran Hindi film actor Shashi Kapoor passed away on 4th December, 2017, after battling prolonged illness. He has been one of the rare gems of the industry who was a part of many evergreen films which have left footprints in the sands of time. He has a number of notable films to his credit such as 'Jab Jab Phool Khile', 'Haseena Maan Jayegi', 'Aa Gale Lag Jaa', 'Junoon', Kalyug' and 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram'. The actor was even awarded the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
04/11Ram Mukerji
Rani Mukerji’s father, filmmaker Ram Mukerji passed away on 22nd October 2017 at the age of 84. He helmed films like ‘Hum Hindustani’ which starred Sunil Dutt, Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh in lead roles, and the Dilip Kumar-Vyjayanthimala starrer ‘Leader’. He also produced Rani’s debut Hindi film ‘Raja Ki Aayegi Baarat’ in 1997. Ram Mukerji was also one of the founders of Mumbai’s famous Filmalaya Studios.
05/11Lekh Tandon
Veteran filmmaker Lekh Tandon, who directed the iconic film 'Amrapali', passed away on 15th October 2017 at the age of 88. Tandon breathed his last at his Powai residence, in the presence of his family. Born in Lahore in 1929, Lekh Tandon directed many Bollywood stars like Shammi Kapoor ('Professor', 1962; 'Prince', 1969), Rajender Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini, Shabana Azmi, Rekha, Rajesh Khanna to name a few. His film 'Amrapali' (1966), featuring Sunil Dutt and Vyjayanthimala, was selected as Indian entry for the best foreign language film at 39th Academy Awards. He also bagged the Filmfare Best Screenplay Award for his movie 'Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye', along with Vrajendra Gaur and Madhusudan Kalekar in 1978.
06/11Inder Kumar
Coming as a shock to the Indian film industry, ‘Wanted’ actor Inder Kumar passed away at his residence in Mumbai on 28th July 2017 after having a heart attack. He is known for playing Salman Khan’s brother in the film ‘Wanted’ besides working in several films like ‘Baaghi’, ‘Maa Tujhhe Salaam’ and was working on his next film ‘Phati Padi Hai Yaar.’ He also became a popular face on the small screen for playing Mihir Virani in TV show ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.’ He is survived by his wife Pallavi Sarraf.
07/11Reema Lagoo
Renowned actor Reema Lagoo, who was one of the most popular TV actresses, breathed her last at a city hospital following a severe cardiac arrest on 18 May 2017. The news her sudden demise came as a shock to the entire entertainment fraternity, her fans and well-wishers alike. The actress, best known for her roles in blockbusters like 'Maine Pyaar Kiya' (1989), 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' (1994) and 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' (1998) was 58 years old.
08/11Vinod Khanna
Veteran actor Vinod Khanna, who was battling advanced bladder cancer, passed away on 28 April 2017, weeks after being admitted to a hospital with complications arising from severe dehydration. He was 70. On hearing of his passing, several Bollywood stars, sportspersons, public personalities and fans took to social media to remember the actor-politician and offer their condolences to his family. Regaled as one of the most handsome actors of the Hindi film industry, Vinod made his acting debut in 1968 with 'Man Ka Meet'. He went on to star in over 141 films, including 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Mere Apne', 'Insaaf' and 'Dilwale' starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.
09/11Om Puri
Veteran Bollywood actor Om Puri, was found dead in his Mumbai apartment after suffering a severe heart attack on 6th January 2017. The two-time National Award winner and two-time Filmfare Award winner, 66, reportedly headed home on Thursday evening (5th January) after a shoot, following which he died of a fatal heart attack while alone at home. His driver alarmed the neighbours after his doorbell went unanswered on Friday morning (6th January). A number of bigwigs and celebs from the Bollywood fraternity expressed their shock and sadness over his sudden demise and turned up in large numbers for his funeral ceremony.
10/11Sitaram Panchal
Actor Sitaram Panchal, who was struggling with lung and kidney cancer for the past three years, finally lost the battle and breathed his last on April 10th 2017. According to earlier reports, Sitaram was bed-ridden for past 10 months and was facing the worst crisis of his life. He had also sought help from fans and well-wishers through a Facebook post. Sitaram Panchal had worked in many notable films like 'Jolly LLB 2', 'Paan Singh Tomar', 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh', 'Peepli Live', and 'Bandit Queen'.
