Bollywood Celebrities Who Breathed Their Last In 2024
Posted On: 09 Jan 2024 | Last Updated : 09 May 2024 | Views : 5.3k
Just like any other year Bollywood will continue having its share of releases, comebacks, blockbusters, disasters, trends, weddings and deaths and more in 2024 too. The year 2024 recorded the loss of several notable and prominent Bollywood celebrities which has left many of their fans sad and disillusioned. As they say what comes has to perish one day and our beloved celebrities are no different who contributed to the film industry in their own little way leaving behind memories for their fans to cherish. Here is a look at all the Indian stars who passed away this year. As a tribute to the departed souls, we take a look at the list of famous Bollywood celebrities who breathed their last in 2024:
1. Ustad Rashid Khan (Playback Singer / Vocalist) (DoB: 01 July 1968, DoD: 09 January 2024)
Noted music maestro Ustad Rashid Khan passed away at a hospital in Kolkata on 09 January 2024 at the age of 55. The classical singer and a recipient of the Padma Bhushan in 2022, who belonged to the Rampur-Sahaswan Gharana, was suffering from prostate cancer and was kept on ventilator support before breathing his last. Born in Uttar Pradesh's Badayun, Ustad Rashid Khan was the nephew of Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, and received his initial training from his maternal grand-uncle Ustad Nissar Hussain Khan. Some of his well-known songs were from films like Manto, Ishqeria, Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana, Hate Story 2, Issaq, Raaz 3, Mausam, My Name Is Khan, Jab We Met and Kisna. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.
2. Bhavatharini (Music Director / Playback Singer) (DoB: 23 July 1976, DoD: 25 January 2024)
Noted Tamil and Hindi playback singer and composer Bhavatharini died on 25 January 2024 at the age of 47 in Sri Lanka while undergoing treatment for liver cancer. Bhavatharini was the daughter of music maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sister of music directors Karthik Raja and Yuvan Shankar Raja. She won the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 2000 for the Tamil song, 'Mayil Pola Ponnu Onnu' from Bharathi. She made her singing debut in Tamil in the film Raasaiyya (1995), in which she sang the popular song ‘Masthana Masthana’ along with Arunmozhi and S.N. Surendar. She turned music director for the 2002 film Mitr, My Friend, directed by Revathy and later also composed music for Revathy’s Phir Milenge (2004), starring Salman Khan, Shilpa Shetty and Abhishek Bachchan. She is survived by her husband R. Sabariraj.
3. Sreela Majumdar (Actress) (DoB: 1958, DoD: 27 January 2024)
Acclaimed Bengali and Hindi film actress Sreela Majumdar breathed her last in Kolkata on 27 January 2024 at the age of 65 after suffering from cancer for the past three years. Born in 1958, Sreela Majumdar was known for her roles in 'parallel' as well as mainstream cinema where she made her acting debut in Mrinal Sen’s Bengali film Parasuram in 1979 and later appeared in films like Ek Din Pratidin, Kharij, Mon Mayuree, Chokh, Phiriye Dao, Chirodiner and Parcel. Her last film was Palanin 2023. She also acted in Hindi films including Ek Pal, Damul, Khandhar, Mandi and Arohan. She lent her voice to Aishwarya Rai in Chokher Bali. She is survived by her husband and son.
4. Sadhu Meher (Actor, Director & Producer) (DoB: 01 January 1940, DoD: 02 February 2024)
Veteran Hindi and Odia actor, producer and director Sadhu Meher passed away at the age of 84 at his residence in Mumbai on 02 February 2024 due to age-related issues. Born at Manamunda in Subarnapur district of Odisha, Sadhu Meher was an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India and one of the actors who gained prominence by playing crucial roles in Bollywood’s new wave cinema by making his acting debut in Mrinal Sen’s Bhuvan Shome in 1969. He later went on to act in Hindi and Odia films like Ankur, Manthan, Mrigayaa, Inkaar, Bhukha, Seeta Raati, Debshishu, Safed Haathi, Nishant, etc. He directed the first children’s sci-fi Odia movie Babula (1985). He was awarded the National Film Award for Best Actor in 1974 for his role as Kistaya in the Hindi film Ankur and became the first Odia star to win a National Award. He was conferred with Padma Shri in 2017 for his contribution to Indian cinema.
5. Kavita Chaudhary (Actress) (DoB: 1957, DoD: 15 February 2024)
Well-known television and film actress, writer, producer and director Kavita Chaudhary breathed her last at a hospital in Amritsar after suffering a heart attack on 15 February 2024, at the age of 67. Fondly remembered for her role as an IPS officer in the 1989 television show Udaan, Kavita was also a part of other well-known TV series such as Apradhi Kaun, Raj Se Swaraj, Your Honour, IPS Diaries and Karrle Tu Mohabbat, etc. She was also well-known as Lalitaji in the Surf detergent advertisement in the 80s. Born in 1957, she was an alumnus of the National School of Drama and had acted in a couple of Hindi movies including Tum Laut Aao (1983) and Ek Aur Suhagan (1992). She has been suffering from cancer for a few years.
6. Suhani Bhatnagar (Actress) (DoB: 14 June 2004, DoD: 16 February 2024)
Child artist Suhani Bhatnagar who played the role of a young Babita Phogat in the Aamir Khan starrer Dangal (2016), died on 16 February 2024 at the age of 19 at AIIMS, New Delhi. According to her parents, Suhani was suffering from dermatomyositis, a rare inflammatory disease that causes skin rash and muscle weakness. She had played one of the four on-screen daughters of Mahavir Phogat (played by Aamir Khan) in Nitesh Tiwari’s Dangal while the grown-up version was played by Sanya Malhotra.
7. Rituraj Singh (Actor) (DoB: 23 May 1964, DoD: 19 February 2024)
Television and film actor Rituraj Singh died of cardiac arrest at a Mumbai hospital on 19 February 2024 at the age of 59. Rituraj began his career on the small screen by playing host on Zee TV’s popular game show, Tol Mol Ke Bol in 1993 after which he acted in TV shows like Banegi Apni Baat, Jyoti, Hitler Didi, Shapath, Warrior High, Aahat, Adaalat, Diya Aur Baati Hum. He also featured in films such as Satyameva Jayate 2, Badrinath Ki Dulhania, Hum Tum Aur Ghost, Tum Mile, Jersey, Yaariyan 2, and Vash: Possessed by the Obsessed. Some of the web series he appeared in included The Test Case, Hey Prabhu, Criminal, Abhay, Bandish Bandits, Never Kiss Your Best Friend, and Made in Heaven Season 2.
8. Ameen Sayani (Broadcaster) (DoB: 21 December 1932, DoD: 20 February 2024)
Veteran radio announcer and broadcaster Ameen Sayani breathed his last in Mumbai on 20 February 2024 after suffering a heart attack at the age of 91. The iconic radio presenter is remembered for hosting the popular show 'Binaca Geetmala' which was broadcast since 1952 over Radio Ceylon and later over Vividh Bharati for over 42 years. Ameen Sayani produced, compiled and presented over 54,000 radio programs and 19,000 spots/jingles since 1951. He presented many popular movies over the years, such as Benaam, Warrant, Fakira, Bairaag, Sargam, Mr. Natwarlal, Kaalia, Saagar, Andaz Apna Apna, etc. He appeared as an announcer, commentator and interviewer in movies like Teen Devian, Bhoot Bungla, Aan Baan, Boxer, Qatl, Hamara Khandan, Pati Patni Aur Tawaif and others.
9. Kumar Shahani (Director) (DoB: 07 December 1940, DoD: 24 February 2024)
Veteran filmmaker and screenwriter Kumar Shahani died at the age of 83 at a hospital in Kolkata due to age-related health issues. Famous for being a part of India’s parallel cinema, Kumar Shahani made short as well as feature films such as Maya Darpan, Tarang, Khayal Gatha, Kasba and Char Adhyay, etc. His debut directorial film Maya Darpan (1972) won him the Filmfare Award – Best Film (Critics) as well as the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi while Khayal Gatha (1989) won him the Filmfare Award – Best Film (Critics). He also received the Filmfare Award – Best Film (Critics) for Kasba and the National Film Award for Best Biographical Film for Bhavantarana (Oriya documentary) in 1991. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
10. Pankaj Udhas (Playback Singer) (DoB: 17 June 1951, DoD: 26 Febrary 2024)
Legendary ghazal and playback singer Pankaj Udhas breathed his last on 26 February 2024 in Mumbai at the age of 72 due to a prolonged illness. Born in 1951, Pankaj Udhas started his career by releasing the ghazal album, Aahat in 1980 followed by hit albums like Mukarar (1981), Tarrannum (1982), Mehfil (1983), etc. Some of his big ghazal hits were Chaandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera, Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein, Ek Taraf Uska Ghar, and Thodi Thodi Piya Karo, etc. His big Bollywood break came in Mahesh Bhatt’s Naam in 1986 with the song Chitthi Aayi Hai, Chaandi Jaisa Rang Hai from Ek Hi Maqsad (1998), Aaj Phir Tumpe from Dayavan (1988), Jeeyein To Jeeyein Kaise from Saajan (1991), Na Kajre Ki Dhaar from Mohra (1994) and others. He was a recipient of many awards including the Padmashri in 2006. He is survived by his wife Farida Udhas, daughters Nayaab and Reva Udhas, and brothers Nirmal and Manhar Udhas, who are also singers.
11. Chander H. Bahl (Director) (DoB: N.A., DoD: 01 March 2024)
Noted Hindi and Punjabi film writer, director and editor, Chander Bahl passed away on 01 March 2024 due to age-related issues. Son of famous music director Hansraj Bahl, Chander Bahl started his career as an assistant director in films like Bandhe Haath and Shakka before making his directorial debut with the Mithun Chakraborty – Ranjeeta starrer Sun Sajna in 1982. He later directed films including Sun Meri Laila (1983), Mehak (1985), Pyaasi Mamta (1986), Hukumat Jatt Di (1990) and Janani (2006), etc. He directed many Hindi and Gujarati TV serials including Piya Ka Ghar (2002), Ranbir Rano (2008), Jode Rejo Raaj (2022) and others.
12. Dhirajlal Shah (Producer) (DoB: N.A., DoD: 11 March 2024)
Bollywood producer Dhirajlal Shah who bankrolled several hit films in the 1990s and early 2000s including Vijaypath, Gambler, Krishna, and The Hero: Love Story of a Spy, died in Mumbai on 11 March 2024 due to multiple organ failure. He began his career as a producer in 1994 by producing Vijaypath, starring Ajay Devgn, Tabu and Danny Denzongpa. He later went on to produce big films like Hu Tu Tu (1999), Kurukshetra (2000), Jodi No.1 (2001) and Kismat (2004), etc. He is survived by his wife, Manju Dhiraj Shah, two daughters – Sheetal Punit Goel and Sapna Dhiraj Shah, son - Jimit Shah and daughter-in-law - Poonam Shah.
13. Kamlesh Awasthi (Playback Singer) (DoB: 1945, DoD: 28 March 2024)
Celebrated veteran Gujarati and Hindi film playback singer Kamlesh Awasthi breathed his last at 78 at his residence in Ahmedabad on 28 March 2024. Fondly known as the ‘Voice of Mukesh’, Kamlesh Awasthi was in a coma for a month and undergoing treatment before suffering a cardiac arrest. Born in 1945 in Savarkundla, he started his singing career by releasing his first music album 'Tribute to Mukesh' and thereafter sang many Gujarati and Hindi film songs. Some of his memorable songs include ‘Zindagi Imtihaan Leti Hai’ from Naseeb (1981), ‘Tera Saath Hai Toh’ from Pyaasa Sawan (1981), ‘Cheen Nahin Japan Nahin’ from Gopichand Jasoos, and Oonch Neech Beech (1989). He continuously performed in stage shows earning him a reputation in the regional music scene.
14. Gangu Ramsay (Cinematographer / Producer) (DoB: 1944, DoD: 07 April 2024)
Veteran cinematographer and producer of Bollywood’s horror genre, Gangu Ramsay died of prolonged illness at 80 in Mumbai on 07 April 2024. One of the seven Ramsay Brothers known for their cult horror flicks and son of producer F.U. Ramsay, Gangu Ramsay began his career by turning cinematographer for Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche in 1972. This was followed by horror flicks like Darwaza, Saboot, Purani Haveli, Telephone, Hotel, Tehkhana and Dhund: The Fog. He also produced films such as Mahakaal, Purani Haveli and Tahkhana. He is survived by a daughter Geeta and a son Chander Ramsay.
15. Sangeeth Sivan (Writer / Director) (DoB: 1959, DoD: 08 May 2024)
Renowned Hindi and Malayalam film writer and director, Sangeeth Sivan passed away at the age of 65 on 08 May 2024 while undergoing treatment at Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital following a cardiac arrest. Born in 1959 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Sangeeth Sivan marked his debut as a director in Malayalam films with Vyooham in 1990. He made his Bollywood directorial debut in 1998 with the Sunny Deol starrer Zor and followed it up with films including Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne, Kyaa Kool Hai Hum, Apna Sapna Money Money, Ek: The Power of One, Click, Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 and Kapkapiii. He had worked with popular actors like Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Mohanlal, Tusshar Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh, Shreyas Talpade and others. He is survived by his wife, Jayashree, and children, Sajana and Shanthanu.
