Words fall short to describe how the year 2020 has treated us all. 

With the stretch of unfortunate events kicking off in this year, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that 2020 has been cruel to the entire world, including the entertainment industry. 

Due to the COVID-19 global health scare, the shootings of most films have been halted and subsequently, some of the major releases have also been postponed indefinitely. Other than that, the Indian film and television industry also lost some of its most noted and beloved celebrities. 

© Sushant Singh Rajput_Instagram

From Sushant Singh Rajput, Irrfan Khan, SP Balasubrahmanyam, Rishi Kapoor to Nishikant Kamat, many celebrities left a void in the Indian entertainment industry that can never be filled. 

While the deadly coronavirus took its toll on people, there were a number of deaths due to illnesses and other tragic incidents as well, triggering conversations around mental health this year. 

Here’s remembering the luminaries we lost in this dreadful year: 

1. Irrfan Khan

© DAR Motion Pictures

Irrfan Khan’s sudden death on April 29, this year, left a huge void in the film industry. He was 53. 

Irrfan was battling neuroendocrine cancer, and had been hospitalised at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital where he was undergoing treatment for a colon infection. 

The legendary actor had many successful Indian and international films in his name, including Life of Pi, A Mighty Heart and The Lunchbox, among others.

2. Rishi Kapoor

© Twitter

Yet to come to terms with the death of Irrfan Khan, the film industry suffered another blow as veteran actor Rishi Kapoor passed away on April 30. 

He had been battling with leukaemia for two years and had undergone treatment in the United States. 

Mr Kapoor will be remembered forever for his roles in hugely popular films including Bobby, Amar Akbar Anthony, Chandi, Prem Rog, Saagar and the more recent Rajma Chawal and Mulk.

3. Wajid Khan 

© Twitter

Bollywood composer, part of the popular composer duo Sajid-Wajid passed away due to a cardiac arrest on May 31, 2020. 

Wajid Khan had tested positive of COVID-19 and he was 42. Khan had also been suffering from a kidney ailment and had undergone a transplant. 

He is known for his compositions for popular Salman Khan films such as the Dabangg franchise, Wanted, Hello Brother and Ek Tha Tiger, among others. 

4. Sushant Singh Rajput 

© Twitter

In a year that saw numerous deaths, none affected the entire country as much as that of the young, promising actor Sushant Singh Rajput. 

His sudden and tragic death has left his fans and family bereaved. The Chhichhore actor was found dead in his apartment in Mumbai on June 14, with the police terming the case as a suicide. 

Investigations into his death are still underway, with the CBI taking over the case. 

His last film, Dil Bechara, was released posthumously on Disney Plus Hotstar and registered record-breaking OTT viewership. 

5. Chiranjeevi Sarja

© BCCL

Chiranjeevi Sarja suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away on June 10th. The 39-year-old actor’s sudden death shook the entire Kannada film industry. 

Sarja, who was launched by his uncle actor Arjun Sarja, made his debut in the family production Vayuputra, acted in 20 movies in a career spanning a decade. 

He had married actress Meghana Raj two years ago.

6. Saroj Khan 

© FilmyDiva Twitter

The legendary choreographer passed away from a cardiac arrest on July 3, this year. 

71-year-old Saroj Khan, who suffered from diabetes and other age-related ailments, had been admitted to the hospital on June 20 due to breathing issues. 

Known as the first woman choreographer in Bollywood, Khan choreographed many iconic dance numbers such as Dola Re, Dhak Dhak Karne Laga and Tamma Tamma, among others.

7. Jagdeep 

Veteran comedian Jagdeep passed away on July 19, this year. He was 81. 

The actor, best remembered for his role as Soorma Bhopali in Sholay, was known for his comic timing and portrayal of quirky and unique characters.

8. SP Balasubrahmanyam

© Instagram imspb

Legendary singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, 74, passed away due to complications arising from COVID-19 on September 25 this year, leaving his fans across the globe utterly devastated. 

Popularly known as SPB, the singer had been battling COVID-19 for over a month in Chennai. SPB holds the Guinness World Record for the highest number of songs by a singer.

9. Asif Basra

© Asif Basra_BCCL

The noted actor, last seen in the web series Pataal Lok, was found hanging in his residence at Dharamshala on November 12th. While the police have, prima facie, ruled his death as suicide, they are investigating into the matter. 

Asif Basra, who is known for his work in films such as Jab We Met, Kai Po Che, Parzania and Black Friday, had been staying at the rented Dharamshala house for four years, travelling to Mumbai for work.

10. Soumitra Chatterjee 

The entire country mourned the loss of legendary Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee on November 15, this year. 

The actor, director, playwright, writer and poet, was admitted at a hospital in Kolkata after testing positive for COVID-19. He was 85. 

Chatterjee is known for his collaboration with celebrated director Satyajit Ray, his debut role in the Apu Trilogy and his portrayal of Feluda, a fictional private Bengali investigator. 

11. Ashiesh Roy 

The Indian Television industry lost another star with the death of TV actor Ashiesh Roy. Known for his work in the serial Sasural Simar Ka, Roy passed away due to kidney failure on November 24.

12. Divya Bhatnagar 

© Instagram

Divya Bhatnagar, known for her role in the serial Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, passed away on December 7 due to COVID-19 related complications. 

She was admitted to the hospital after testing positive for the virus and had been on ventilator support. The 34-year-old actor passed away after suffering from a cardiac arrest. 

The actress had also acted in shows such as Genda Phool, Sawaare Sabke Sapne Preeto, Vish, among others.

13. Arya Bannerjee 

Actress Arya Banerjee, who played the role of Shakila in Milan Luthria's biographical project, Dirty Picture, died in her Kolkata home, under suspicious circumstances, on December 12. 

The body of the 33-year-old actress was found in the bedroom of her home, by the police.

14. VJ Chitra 

© Instagram

Popular Tamil actor and television host VJ Chitra was found dead in her hotel room on December 9. 

While the police have ruled out foul play and have called it a suicide, Chitra's family members have alleged that the actress was subjected to torture by her husband. 

She was part of the popular television serial Pandian Stores. 

15. Sameer 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 movie Hasee Toh Phasee, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra in the lead roles.

16. Nishikant Kamat 

Filmmaker Nishikant Kamat passed away from liver cirrhosis at the age of 50 on August 18th, this year. 

The director, who is known for directing the Hindi remake of the Malayalam film Drishyam, had been undergoing treatment for chronic liver disease in Hyderabad. 

His other prominent films include Force and Madaari among others.

17. Jagesh Mukati 

Television actor Jagesh Mukati, who worked in shows like Amita Ka Amit and Shree Ganesh, passed away on June 12. He was 47. 

He was also seen in Parineeti Chopra-Sidharth Malhotra starrer Hasee Toh Phasee.

18. Basu 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.

19. Mohit Baghel

© Raaj Shaandilyaa Twitter

Actor Mohit Baghel, best known for playing Amar Chaudhary in Salman Khan’s Ready, died of cancer on May 24. He was 26.

View the full article