Ankita Lokhande remembers Sushant Singh Rajput, lights another candle in his memory

Harish Shah, who directed films like Zalzala (1988) with Dharmendra, Shatrughan Sinha and Rajiv Kapoor, and last produced Jaal: The Trap, featuring Sunny Deol, Tabu and Reema Sen, passed away at on July 7 at the age of 76. He’d been battling throat cancer for 10 years. He had started his Bollywood journey by bankrolling Rajesh Khanna’s Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972). He followed it up with films like Kala Sona (1975), featuring Feroz Khan and Parveen Babi, and Sanjeev Kumar and Rekha-starrer Ram Tere Kitne Naam (1985). Harish had also helmed Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh’s Dhan Daulat (1980),

Three-time National Award winner, veteran Bollywood choreographer, Saroj Khan, passed away due to cardiac arrest on July 3. She was 71. Khan, who was fondly called as masterji, was admitted to Mumbai’s Guru Nanak Hospital on June 17 after suffering from a kidney condition and was on regular dialysis support. Khan was born as Nirmala Nagpal. She joined the film industry as a child artiste, playing the younger Shyama in Nazarana. She eventually became a background dancer in the 1950s. She later became an assistant choreographer and her first break as an independent choreographer came with Geeta Mera Naam (1974). She tasted fame with the song Hawa Hawai from Mr. India (1987). Her collaboration with Sridevi on other projects like Chandni and Nagina further boosted her profile. It was, however, her collaboration with Madhuri Dixit that transformed the careers of both the artistes. Image source: Instagram

It is difficult for Sushant Singh Rajput’s fans and admirers to come in terms with his death. On June 14, the actor was found dead at his Bandra apartment. He was 34. The actor had become a household name with the television show Pavitra Rishta before entering Bollywood. His performance as Manav Deshmukh had touched millions of hearts. Sushant then made his debut on the big screen in 2013 with the film Kai Po Che. It was the beginning of his amazing and eventful career. He earned praise for his performance in MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, Shuddh Desi Romance, and Chhichhore, among others. His demise has sparked a debate on social media about the alleged nepotism and favouritism in Bollywood and several celebrities and politicians demanding a CBI enquiry into his death. Photo: AFP

Legendary director Basu Chatterjee passed away at the age of 90 in Mumbai on June 4 due to age-related ailments. The news of Chatterjee’s demise was shared by Indian Film & TV Directors’ Association president Ashoke Pandit on social media. He was best known for his films like Chhoti Si Baat (1975), Chitchor (1976), Rajnigandha (1974), Piya Ka Ghar (1972), Khatta Meetha, Chakravyuha (1978 film), Baton Baton Mein (1979) among others. Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986) was Chatterjee’s last commercially successful movie. Along with Hindi films, he is also known for having helmed Bengali films and television serials. Apart from being a successful director, Chatterjee was also known for being a dialogue writer, screenplay writer, and producer.

Wajid Khan, of composer duo Sajid-Wajid, died at the age of 42 on June 1. The news was confirmed by singer Sonu Nigam, who wrote in a social media post, “My brother Wajid left us.” Wajid’s family in an official statement had said cardiac arrest was the cause of his death. Sajid-Wajid had made their Bollywood debut with Salman’s 1998 movie Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya. They went on to create chartbusters for Salman’s various films, including Garv, Tere Naam, Tumko Na Bhool Payenge, Partner and more.

Actor Mohit Baghel, best known for playing Amar Chaudhary in Salman Khan’s film Ready, died of cancer on May 23. The news of his demise was confirmed by writer and director Raaj Shaandilyaa who took to Twitter and wrote a heartbroken message. Mohit belonged to Mathura in Uttar Pradesh and was born in 1993. It was his love for acting that drew him to Mumbai as a child actor later which he began his career in showbiz in the comedy show Chote Miyan. He has also worked in Sidharth Malhotra and Parineeti Chopra’s Jabariya Jodi.

Ace Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor passed away in Mumbai at the age of 67 on April 30 following a two-year-long battle with leukemia. The actor returned to India in September 2019 after reportedly undergoing treatment in the US for almost a year. In February, 2020 Rishi Kapoor was hospitalised twice due to his health issues. A third-generation actor, Rishi Kapoor, was the second son of actor Raj Kapoor and grandson of Prithviraj Kapoor. He began his career as a child artiste in Mera Naam Joker (1970), for which he received the National Award. As an adult protagonist, his first film was Bobby in 1973. Kapoor went on to act in over 90 films in the next four decades. He was last seen in 102 Not Out co-starring his dear friend Amitabh Bachchan, where the latter played Kapoor’s centenarian father.

Legendary actor Irrfan Khan breathed his last on April 29 in Mumbai. The actor had been unwell for a long time and a week before his demise, he was admitted to Kokilaben Hospital after being diagnosed with colon infection. He had been diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in 2018 and had lost his mother in Jaipur just three days before his death. Irrfan was known for his extraordinary acting skills and was also dubbed as India’s face in the West. Eldest of three siblings, Irrfan joined the National School of Drama after his father’s death. After doing television for years in the 80s, Irrfan found his big break in Aasif Kapadia’s The Warrior. His career steadily progressed and he went on to deliver memorable performances in films such as The Life of Pi, The Lunchbox, Piku, Paan Singh Tomar, The Namesake, and Maqbool among others. His last film was Angrezi Medium, ahead of which the actor had shared an empowering video message for his fans, stating that the only choice he had was to remain positive.