By: MohnishSingh
This year claimed lives of many talented celebrities from the world of Hindi cinema, creating a void that can never be filled. Here we list down top Bollywood celebrities who passed away in 2017.
Shashi Kapoor
Shashi Kapoor, the son of legendary Prithviraj Kapoor and brother of Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor, was one of the finest actors the Indian film industry has ever seen. 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. After Prithviraj Kapoor and Raj Kapoor, he was the third member of the Kapoor family to receive the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Born on 18th March 1938, the veteran actor relinquished his life on 4th December 2017 after a prolonged illness.
Ram Mukerji
Producer-director Ram Mukerji, who was one of the founding members of Mumbai’s iconic Filmayala Studio, died on 22nd October 2017 at the age of 84. He is known for directing films like Hum Hindustani with Sunil Dutt, Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh, and the Dilip Kumar-Vyjayanthimala starrer Leader. Mukerji also bankrolled his daughter Rani Mukerji’s debut film Raja Ki Aayegi Baarat.
Lekh Tandon
The man, who discovered a formidable talent like Shah Rukh Khan, directed the iconic film Amrapali, starring Vyjayanthimala and Sunil Dutt in lead roles. Besides Amrapali, notable films such as Professor and Agar Tum Na Hote are also his creation. Born in Lahore in 1929, the distinguished filmmaker breathed his last on 15th October 2017 at the age of 88.
Indra Kumar
Indra Kumar shared a great personal and professional rapport with superstar Salman Khan and is known for playing supporting roles in a number of his movies such as Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge, Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye and Wanted. The actor rested in peace on 28th July 2017 after having a heart attack. He was just 44.
Reema Lagoo
Known for playing quintessential Indian mother in blockbuster films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun…! Hum Saath-Saath Hain and Deewana Mastana, to name just a few, Reema Lagoo was a distinguished name in Marathi and Hindi cinema. Born on 21 June 1958, the seasoned actress breathed her last on 18 May 2017. She died of cardiac arrest.
Vinod Khanna
With the help of his great looks, towering personality, and incredible acting talent, Vinod Khanna cemented his position as one of the leading faces of Indian cinema during the 70s and 80s. In a career which spans across five decades, the veteran acted in a number of popular films like Amar Akbar Anthony, Mere Apne, Insaaf’ and Dabangg. The actor bid us adieu on 27 April 2017 at the age of 70. He lost his battle with cancer. Incidentally, his good friend, actor and filmmaker Feroz Khan also breathed his last on the same day in 2009.
Sitaram Panchal
Sitaram Panchal, who acted in films like Bandit Queen, Slumdog Millionaire, Peepli Live and The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Jolly LLB 2, Paan Singh Tomar, lost his life to prolonged illness on April 10th 2017. He was suffering from lung cancer and also going through a financial crisis. He was 54.
Om Puri
Born on 18 October 1950, Om Puri was an actor who proved his mettle in both commercial as well as parallel cinema. Known for films like Aakrosh, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and Chachi 420 among many others, the actor appeared on the small screen also and became part of iconic shows like Sadgati and Tamas. Padma Shri awardee died on 6 January 2017 at the age of 66. A heart attack was the cause of his death.
[TheChamp-Sharing]
