The acting, singing fraternity lost some giants of the silver screen.
By Prabhav Hiremath
MUMBAI: The year 2013 has gone by, leaving behind just the memories of some of its stalwarts who left for a heavenly journey; making it a mournful year for fans. Here’s a flashback into the tearful 2013.
Farooq Sheikh (65), a veteran film and TV personality, recently bid adieu to the world on December 28th due to a heart attack in Dubai. His sudden demise despite being healthy sent shock waves in the film industry, surprising his friends and family members. Sheikh was holidaying in Dubai post his promotion of his recent release ‘Club 60.’ Before this, he was seen in ‘Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani’ playing the role of Ranbir Kapoor’s father. His prominent body of work include films like ‘Garam Hawa’, ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’, ‘Chasme Badoor’ and ‘Bazaar.’ He was also seen hosting the award winning talk show ‘Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai’ in early 2000 on Zee TV.
Bollywood lost its one of its godfathers with the passing away of legendary actor Pran Sikhand (93) in July. He was the favorite villain and character star of Hindi film industry, with films like ‘Zanjeer’, ‘Milan’, ‘Madhumati’, and ‘Upkar’ to his kitty. The prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award was conferred on him by the government in May last year.
Hindi film industry lost one of its greatest voices of all time before Lata Mangeshkar came in. Singer Shamshad Begum (94), who died in April 2013, had to her credit, songs like ‘Kabhi Aar Kabhi Par’, ‘Saiyan Dil Mein Aana Re’ and ‘Kajra Mohabbat Wala.’ The legendary singer was admitted to the hospital after her health started deteriorating.
Yet another legendary singer whom Bollywood mourned was Manna Dey. The music stalwart that had over five decades of presence in the singing world, passed away in October, at the age of 94. He gave hits like ‘Aye Mere Pyara Watan’, ‘Laaga Chunari Mai Daag’ and ‘Poocho Na Kaise.’ He belonged to the era of Mohammad Rafi, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar.
The famous Bengali director Ritoparno Ghosh (49) breathed his last due to a cardiac arrest, leaving many shocked. He was responsible for bringing Bengali cinema and Bollywood closer through his work with famous names like Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu and Soha Ali Khan. The film-maker, who won 12 National awards and several international awards, came in spotlight for the first time by directing a children’s film ‘Hirer Angti’ in 1994. Other films which enhanced his popularity are ‘Dahan’, ‘Asukh’, ‘Chokher Bali’, ‘Raincoat’, ‘Bariwali’, ‘Antarmahal’, and ‘Noukadubi.’
Actress Jiah Khan’s suicide was in the news for months. Her death at a tender age of 25 was connected to her failed relationship with Suraj Pancholi, son of Aditya Pancholi and her failure in Bollywood as an actress. The actress was found hanging in her flat in the month of June. She made her debut opposite megastar Amitabh Bachchan in Ram Gopal Vama’s ‘Nishabd’, followed by ‘Ghajini’ with Aamir Khan as a supporting actress. ‘Housefull’ was her last film.
Fashion and film photographer, Jagdish Mali (59), father of actress Antara Mali passed away due to liver problems in May last year. His camera work includes work with stars like Rekha, Shabana Azmi, Kareena Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Om Puri and Irrfan Khan.
Jagdish Raj (85), known for his Guinness World Record of playing role of police officer 144 times in various Bollywood films died on July 28th following a respiratory ailment. He was seen reprising cop role in films like ‘Deewar’, ‘Don’, ‘Shakti’, ‘Mazdoor’, ‘Imaan Dharam’ and ‘Silsila.’
Actress Priyanka Chopra lost her father Dr. Ashok Chopra in June due to cancer. His love for his daughter was seen when he accompanied her for TOIFA awards in Vancouver despite ill health. On the other hand, Priyanka too bestowed her love by dedicating the best actress award trophy that she won for Barfi, in his name as a tribute.
Another actress who lost her beloved father was Madhuri Dixit Nene, with the demise of her 91 year old father Shankar R Dixit. He breathed his last in September 2013 after prolonged illness.
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