2020 was one of the worst years for us. Whether it was the pandemic or an environmental crisis such as cyclone Nisarga or the loss of some of the finest gems of the entertainment industry, we experienced it all. From Sushant Singh Rajput, Irrfan Khan to Rishi Kapoor, their demise has left a void in the industry.
1. Irrfan Khan
Irrfan Khan died at the age of 53 on 29 April 2020, due to a colon infection. The actor had been battling a neuroendocrine tumor for several years. Irrfan Khan had a great career in International cinemas as well. He starred in notable films like ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’, ‘Life Of Pi’, ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and many more. He had made his debut in films in Mira Nair’s ‘Salaam Bombay’ in 1988.
2. Rishi Kapoor
Popularly known as the ‘Chintu’ of Bollywood Rishi Kapoor passed away at the age of 67. He was suffering from cancer. His career life span counts about five decades of ruling the hearts of the people. Rishi Kapoor was a charming and effervescent actor in Indian cinema
3. Sushant Singh Rajput
Sushant Singh Rajput’s death was one of the most shocking news of 2020. He died on June 14th but the nation is still not over his sudden death. The actor with the most charming and lively smile had managed to prove his talent in a short span of time. Sushant started his acting career with ‘Pavitra Rishta’ which was a massive hit. Later in 2013, he made his debut in Bollywood in the movie ‘Kai Po Che’. His last movie was ‘Dil Bechara’. His talent and passion truly prove that he was one of a kind actor.
4. Wajid Khan
Bollywood music composer Wajid Khan of the duo Sajid-Wajid died at 42. He was suffering from a Kidney Infection and died in the hospital itself. The duo Sajid-Wajid was popularly known for their work with Salman Khan in his films like ‘Wanted’, ‘Dabangg’ and ‘Ek Tha Tiger’. His last video in the hospital where he is singing one of his songs had gone viral after his death.
5. Saroj Khan
Masterji of Bollywood died at the age of 72 in Mumbai of cardiac arrest. She choreographed more than 2,000 songs in her decade long career. From Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic step to Madhuri Dixit’s Ek do teen’ she gave some iconic steps in the entertainment industry. Her demise was one of the greatest losses for Bollywood.
6. Asif Basra
Bollywood actor Asif Basra committed suicide at his house in McLodganj in Dharamshala. Asif appeared in many Bollywood films. Such as Black Friday, Parzania, Outsourced, Kai Po Che, The Tashkent Files, Jab We Met.
7. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam’s soulful voice was one of the best parts of our childhood. The singer was an important part of Superstar Salman Khan’s songs. Most of his songs are sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. His death was like deleting an entire part of our childhood.
8. Nishikant Kamat
Actor and director Nishikant Kamat, best known for his movies like Drishyam, Madaari, Rocky Handsome, etc., passed away due to chronic liver disease at the age of 50. His debut film, Dombivali Fast earned him honor in Marathi cinema, as it went on to become the biggest Marathi film of the year.
9. Pandit Jasraj
Pandit Jasraj was one of the renowned classical vocalists. His musical career spanned 75 years resulting in national and international fame, respect. He was awarded Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. He was truly a music legend.
10. Soumitra Chatterjee
Soumitra Chatterjee was truly a gem we lost in 2020. He was a director, writer, and poet. He was best known for his work with Satyajit Ray in the Apu trilogy. A recipient of two National Awards and the Padma Bhushan, he was the first Indian to be conferred by Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France’s highest award for artists.
11. Astad Deboo
Astad Deboo was an internationally renowned artist. He was an experimental and artist dancer. He collaborated with Pink Floyd, Maya Plisetskaya, the prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theater ballet, painter M.F. Husain (for his film Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities), and others. He was also a recipient of Padma Shri.
12. Rahat Indori
Rahat Indori was a Bollywood lyricist and Urdu poet. He was also a former professor of Urdu language and a painter. We proudly recognize him as the one who profoundly and finely described us the language of love, friendship, and in recent years, even our protests (Sabhi ka khun shamil hai yahan ki mitti mein, Kisi ke baap ka Hindustan thodi hai)