Celebrities who passed away in 2017

Veteran Hindi film actor Shashi Kapoor passed away on Monday after prolonged illness. He has been one of the rare gems of the industry who was a part of many evergreen films that has left footprints in the sands of time.

While many celebrities took to their social media handle to condole the death of the yesteryear star, Prime Minister Narendra Modi too joined the bandwagon saying, "Shashi Kapoor's versatility could be seen in his movies as well as in theatre, which he promoted with great passion. His brilliant acting will be remembered for generations to come. Saddened by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers."

The legendary actor was married to late English actress Jennifer Kendal, with whom he established Prithvi Theatre in 1978. He is survived by his daughter Sanjana, and sons Kunal and Karan. He was associated with several blockbuster films and some critically acclaimed ones as well.

Rani Mukerji’s father, filmmaker Ram Mukerji passed away this morning at 4 am. He helmed films like ‘Hum Hindustani’ which starred Sunil Dutt, Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh in lead roles, and the Dilip Kumar-Vyjayanthimala starrer ‘Leader’. He also produced Rani’s debut Hindi film ‘Raja Ki Aayegi Baarat’ in 1997. He also directed and produced the actor’s Bengali debut movie ‘Biyer Phool’, which also starred Prosenjit Chatterjee. am Mukerji was also one of the founders of Mumbai’s famous Filmalaya Studios.

Veteran filmmaker Lekh Tandon, who directed the iconic film 'Amrapali', passed away on Sunday evening, his associates said. He was 88.

Tandon breathed his last at his Powai residence, in presence of his family.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit tweeted, "Sad to know about the demise of one of the finest tv and film directors Lekh Tandon ji. Your work is immoral. Will miss U. #RIP".

Pandit told IANS that Tandon was bed-ridden for the last five to six months and fed through a pipe. The end came at 5.38 p.m., he said.

Born in Lahore in 1929, Tandon directed many Bollywood stalwarts like Shammi Kapoor ('Professor', 1962; 'Prince', 1969), Rajender Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini, Shabana Azmi, Rekha, Rajesh Khanna to name a few. His film 'Amrapali' (1966), featuring Sunil Dutt and Vyjayanthimala, was selected as Indian entry for the best foreign language film at 39th Academy Awards.

He also bagged Filmfare Best Screenplay Award for his movie 'Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaye', along with Vrajendra Gaur and Madhusudan Kalekar in 1978.

He directed his first television serial 'Dil Dariya' in 1988 through which he was also credited for discovering Shah Rukh Khan.

Tandon also acted in films like 'Swades', 'Chennai Express', 'Rang De Basanti' among others.

His funeral will be held in Powai at 12 p.m. on Monday.

Shamsher Singh, renowned musician and brother of popular singers and performers, Mika Singh and Daler Mehndi, passed away on October 9, 2017.

Grief stricken Mika took to twitter to announce the sad demise of his elder brother. He wrote, “Waheguru ji ka Khalsa sri Waheguru ji ki Fateh... Very sad news for our family that our older brother Ustad ShamsherSingh ji has passed away.”

After this many celebrities expressed their condolences for the late musician on various social media platforms.

Shamsher Singh was reportedly suffering from jaundice since last one month and was admitted to Vedanta hospital in Delhi.

Actor Sitaram Panchal, who was struggling with lung and kidney cancer from the past three years, has finally lost the battle and breathed his last today at his residence. According to earlier reports, Sitaram was bed-ridden for past 10 months and was facing the worst crisis of his life. He had also sought help from fans and well wishers through a Facebook post.

“Bhaio meri help karo meri cancer se halat kharab hoti ja rahi hai apka kalakar bhai sitaram panchal,” reads his Facebook post. The Facebook page for Cine & TV Artistes Association (CINTAA) had also posted about Sitaram’s condition, seeking help from well wishers. Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor, producer Ashwini Chaudhary and many other noted Bollywood and television actors extended their help towards the actor and also asked others to help him.

Actor-comedian Navin Prabhakar announced the news of Sitaram's death as he paid his condolences through a Facebook post. He wrote, "
Sad news Bollywood talent SITARAMJI PARLOK SIDHARE :) Aapke oorja aur chetna ko shat shat naaman .. aapki timmings laajawaab humour... and jokes ki richness aapko humse juda nahi kar sakti .. #CINTAA #bollywood#setupanchal #RIP."

Sitaram Panchal had worked in many notable films like 'Jolly LLB 2', 'Paan Singh Tomar', 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh', 'Peepli Live', and 'Bandit Queen'.

Coming as a shock to the Indian film industry, ‘Wanted’ actor Inder Kumar passed away at his residence in Mumbai on Friday morning. The actor suffered a fatal heart attack after a long battle with a prevailing illness. He is known for playing Salman Khan’s brother in the film ‘Wanted’ besides working in several films like ‘Baaghi’, ‘Maa Tujhhe Salaam’ and was working on his next film ‘Phati Padi Hai Yaar.’ He also became a popular face on the small screen for playing Mihir Virani in TV show ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.’ He is survived by his wife Pallavi Sarraf.

Renowned actor Reema Lagoo, who lent a dash of glamour to Hindi filmdom's concept of motherhood with her sober, yet sleek 'maa' roles, breathed her last at a city hospital following a severe cardiac arrest on 18 May 2017. The news her sudden demise came as a shock to the entire entertainment fraternity, her fans and well-wishers alike. The actress, best known for her roles in blockbusters like 'Maine Pyaar Kiya' (1989), 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' (1994) and 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' (1998) was 58 years old.

Veteran actor Vinod Khanna, who was battling advanced bladder cancer, passed away on 28 April 2017, weeks after being admitted to a hospital with complications arising from severe dehydration. He was 70. On hearing of his passing, several Bollywood stars, sportspersons, public personalities and fans took to social media to remember the actor-politician and offer their condolences to his family. Regaled as one of the most handsome actors of the Hindi film industry, Khanna made his acting debut in 1968 with 'Man Ka Meet'. He went on to star in over 141 films, his performances being 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Mere Apne', 'Insaaf' and 'Dilwale' starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol.

Veteran Bollywood actor Om Puri, was found dead in his Mumbai apartment after suffering a severe heart attack on 6th January 2017. The two-time National Award winner and two-time Filmfare Award winner, 66, reportedly headed home on Thursday evening (5th January) after a shoot, following which he died of a fatal heart attack while alone at home. His driver alarmed the neighbours after his doorbell went unanswered on Friday morning (6th January). A number of bigwigs and celebs from the Bollywood fraternity expressed their shock and sadness over his sudden demise and turned up in large numbers for his funeral ceremony. Apart from leaving a gaping hole in the Bollywood film industry, the Hollywood industry remembered the star at the Oscars 2017. Om Puri was known for his films like 'Ardh Satya', 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro', 'Aakrosh', 'Mirch Masala' among many others.

British actor Roger Moore, best known for his role as James Bond in films like 'Live and Let Die' and 'The Spy Who Loved Me', passed away on May 24th, 2017 in Switzerland after a brief battle with cancer. He was 89. His family announced the news of his demise through a statement that read, "With the heaviest of hearts, we must share the awful news that our father, Sir Roger Moore, passed away today. We are all devastated." Moore was the only actor who portrayed the popular fictional spy in seven movies between 1973 and 1985.

Music icon Chris Cornell took his life by hanging on 18 May 2017. The Soundgarden vocalist was found dead with a band around his neck inside his hotel room in Detroit following a concert. Nearly 48-hours after news of his demise broke, fans and loved ones flocked to the Michigan concert venue to pay their respects. He was 52.