Dilip Kumar, Raj Kaushal, Ayushmann Khurrana’s ‘Dream Girl’ co-star Rinku Singh Nikumbh: Celebs who passed away in 2021

Bollywood industry lost several gems this year. Right from the legendary actor Dilip Kumar to veteran music composer Shravan Rathod and Ayushmann Khurrana’s ‘Dream Girl’ co-star Rinku Singh Nikumbh, a lot of actors passed away in 2021. On July 7, veteran actor Dilip Kumar, who was 98, breathed his last in a Mumbai hospital. Celebs, fans and politicians were seen mourning the demise of Dilip saab. Here’s bidding adieu to the actors who left for their heavenly abodes in 2021:

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Mandira Bedi’s husband Raj Kaushal passed away at 4:30 am on June 30 after he suffered a cardiac arrest. Jitu Savlani, a close friend of the family, when contacted, confirmed to ETimes, “It is true, he suffered a cardiac arrest early in the morning.” Raj Kaushal had directed films like 'Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi' and 'Shaadi Ka Laddoo'. He had also called the shots for commercials. His last rites were performed by his wife and actress Mandira Bedi.

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Legendary actor Dilip Kumar passed away on July 7. He was 98. He was admitted to the Hinduja Hospital on June 30. The news of his demise was confirmed through his Twitter handle. A family friend had tweeted, “With a heavy heart and profound grief, I announce the passing away of our beloved Dilip Saab, few minutes ago. We are from God and to Him we return.” He was laid to rest with full state honours at Juhu Qabrastan around 4:30 pm on July 7. The funeral was attended by Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan. While other celebs like Shah Rukh Khan, Vidya Balan, Ranbir Kapoor, Karan Johar were seen arriving at Dilip Kumar’s residence to pay their last respects.

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Popular TV and film actor Bikramjeet Kanwarpal passed away due to COVID-19. The 52-year-old actor took his last breath on May 1. The news of his demise broke out after filmmaker Ashoke Pandit mourned the loss of the talented artist on Twitter. “Sad to hear about the demise of actor Major Bikramjeet Kanwarpal this morning due to #Covid. A retired army officer, Kanwarpal had played supporting roles in many films and television serials. Heartfelt condolences to his family & near ones. ॐ शान्ति !” he had written.

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Actor Rinku Singh Nikumbh, known for her appearance in Ayushmann Khurrana's ‘Dream Girl’, passed away due to COVID-19 complications at a hospital in Assam. She was 35. Nikumbh was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus on May 25 and initially she was under home quarantine but later admitted to Tezpur Medical College. She passed away on June 2. Her sister Chanda earlier told PTI, “After she tested positive she preferred home isolation. From May 25 to May 28, she had high fever. We immediately decided to admit her to the hospital. She was shifted to the ICU the next day. She told us she felt a lot of weakness. Besides, she had asthma and so she had breathing issues too. Her oxygen level dropped. She died on June 2 at 5 am in the morning.” She revealed that Nikumbh had taken the first jab of COVID-19 vaccine on May 7.

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Abhilasha Patil, who had featured in several Bollywood films, passed away on May 4 after she tested positive for COVID-19. The 47-year-old actress had featured in Sushant Singh Rajput starrer ‘Chhichhore’ and was also a part of Bollywood hits like ‘Badrinath Ki Dulhania’ and Akshay Kumar-Kareena Kapoor Khan starrer ‘Good Newwz’. Abhilasha is survived by her mother, husband and son.

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Shravan Rathod of the music composer Nadeem-Shravan passed away on April 23. He was tested positive for COVID-19 and was reported to be in a critical condition. He was admitted to Raheja hospital in Mahim. The 66-year-old music composer tested positive after he and his wife came back from the Maha Kumbh Mela. Singer Udit Narayan confirmed the news and told BT, “Shravan bhai had gone to the Kumbh Mela recently and had called me from there saying, ‘I have come to the Kumbh Mela for the holy bath.’ I told him that he should’ve told me about this earlier and that I could have also gone with him. But after he got off the phone, I thought to myself that during the pandemic, why did he go there? He already had health issues, yet he went there. He did not listen to others and went there, and now he is no longer with us. May his soul rest in peace.”

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Kishore Nandlaskar, a popular actor in Marathi and Bollywood industry, breathed his last on April 20. According to reports, Nandlaskar was admitted to a hospital in Thane after he contracted the coronavirus. He featured in Hindi films like ‘Simmba’, ‘Vaastav’, ‘Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai’ and more. He is survived by his wife and three sons.

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