Kader Khan to Shreeram Lagoo, celebrities who left us in 2019

2019 had begun with the demise of veteran actor-writer Kader Khan, who died at the age of 81 on January 1 in Toronto, Canada. He was reportedly suffering from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a degenerative disease that causes loss of balance, difficulty in walking and dementia. He is known for his impeccable comic timing in films like Coolie, Coolie No 1, Mr and Mrs Khiladi, Hero No 1, Dulhe Raja, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and more. As much as he is known for an evolved form of writing where he presented heavy Urdu dialogues in quintessential masala Hindi film-style, that made it more acceptable to common movie watcher.

Known for his role in Zee TV's investigative series Commander, veteran television actor Ramesh Bhatkar died at the age of 70 on February 4 in Mumbai after battling lung cancer. His other notable works were DD Metro's Hello Inspector and the Marathi TV show Damini.

Colonel Raj Kumar Kapoor died at the age of 87 on April 10 in New Delhi. Remember Fauji, the 1989-TV show on Doordarshan that introduced us to Shah Rukh Khan? Colonel Raj Kumar Kapoor was the director behind Shah Rukh Khan's big debut. Apart from being a director, he was also an actor. He was seen in a handful of films like Hanste Zakhm (1973) and Chatpati (1983).

Ajay Devgn’s father and action director Veeru Devgan died at the age of 85 on May 27 in Mumbai, following a long illness. Veeru was also a known stuntman in the Hindi film industry. He began his career in 1974 with the film Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. From Mr Natwarlal and Phool Aur Kaante to Khoon Bhari Maang and Dil Kya Kare, he choreographed many action scenes in films. But Veeru was not just an action director, he also directed a film titled Hindustan Ki Kasam, which starred Ajay opposite Amitabh Bachchan.

Comedian-actor Dinyar Contractor left us at the age of 79 on June 5 this year. He was a popular face in films such as Khiladi, Baadshah, Baazigar, Jhankaar Beats, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and many more. Dinyar also acted in various TV shows like Khichdi and Taarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashmah. In January this year, Dinyar was honoured with the Padma Shri.

Legendary actor and playwright Girish Karnad died at the age of 81 on June 10 in Bengaluru after multiple organ failure. He was suffering from a prolonged illness. Karnad acted in films like Nishant, Bhumika, Manthan, Swami, China Gate, Pukar, Iqbal, Dor, Tiger Zinda Hai and many more. He played Swami’s father in Shankar Nag’s Malgudi Days, a television series that aired in 1987. Apart from this, Karnad was also seen in TV serials such as Indradhanush and Khaandaan.

Child actor Shivlekh Singh, who acted in TV serials like Sankatmochan Hanuman and Sasural Simar Ka, died in a road accident on July 17 in Raipur. He was just 14 years old.

Noted filmmaker and Hrithik Roshan’s maternal grandfather, J Om Prakash breathed his last on August 7 at the age of 92 this year. His demise was confirmed by his nephew and actor Deepak Parashar on social media. J Om Prakash made his directorial debut with Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz’s film Aap Ki Kasam in 1974. He also helmed films such as Aakhir Kyon? and Aadmi Khilona Hai, to name a few.

Known for films such as Rajnigandha, Chhoti Si Baat and Pati Patni Aur Woh, Vidya Sinha died at the age of 71 on Independence Day (August 15) this year. The actress was rushed to the hospital after she had complained of breathlessness. Vidya was diagnosed with lung and heart disorders. She was seen in Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Bodyguard in 2011 after a long break from films. Vidya stepped into the TV world with soap operas such as Kaavyaanjali, Zaara, Neem Neem Shahad Shahad, Qubool Hai, Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala and many others.

Just after four days of Vidya Sinha’s death, veteran music composer Mohammed Zayur Khayyam left us at the age of 92 on August 19. Famously known as Khayyam, he had been suffering from a lung infection for 10 days before his demise. His contributions to films like Kabhie Kabhie, Umrao Jaan, Bazaar, Trishul, Shola Aur Shabnam, and many others are still remembered even after decades. In 2011, Khayyam was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.

Remember Gulaab Singh in Aamir Khan and Karisma Kapoor-starrer Raja Hindustani? Veeru Krishnan died on September 8 in Mumbai this year. His exact age at the time of his demise is unknown. Apart from acting in Raja Hindustani, Krishnan was a renowned Kathak guru of the Hindi cinema. He trained various actresses in dance over the years including Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif, Athiya Shetty, Tisca Chopra and Lara Dutta.

Who can forget Kaalia from Ramesh Sippy’s film Sholay? The character became an iconic one in the Hindi cinema, thanks to Viju Khote, the actor who played it. After entertaining cinephiles over several decades, Viju died at the age of 77 on September 30 after multiple organ failure at his residence in Mumbai. Apart from Sholay, Viju was also seen in the role of Robert in Rajkumar Santoshi’s Andaz Apna Apna, another character which became a cult favourite. Viju was last seen in the 2018-film Jaane Kyun De Yaaron.

Venus records owner and film producer Champak Jain died on November 1 this year after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 52 years old. He produced films such as Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Josh, Hulchul, Humraaz, etc.

Shabana Azmi’s mother and actor Shaukat Kaifi Azmi died at the age of 93 on November 22 this year due to old age. Kaifi’s son-in-law, Javed Akhtar, had confirmed her demise on Twitter. Shaukat Azmi acted in films such as Heer Ranjha, Garam Hawa, Bazaar, Umrao Jaan and a few others. Along with her husband Kaifi Azmi, who was a noted lyricist in Hindi cinema, Shaukat had worked in the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) and the Progressive Writers Association (PWA) for several years.

Garam Hawa actress Gita Siddharth breathed her last on December 14 this year. She was a familiar face in films such as Parichay, Disco Dancer, Trishul, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Noorie, Desh Premee and others. Gita was married to television host Siddharth Kak, who is best known for the Doordarshan show of the 90s, Surabhi.

On December 17, veteran actor Shreeram Lagoo died at the age of 92 in Pune. His demise was confirmed by Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Twitter. Lagoo’s notable films are Thodi Si Bewafai, Souten, Muqaddar Ka Sikander, Laawaris including many others. The actor has been a part of over 100 Hindi and Marathi films in his career. He also worked in more than 40 Marathi, Hindi and Gujarati plays, of which 20 Marathi plays were directed by him.