In Memoriam: Zakir Hussain To Rituraj Singh, Celebrities Who Passed Away In 2024
From Zakir Hussain to Rituraj Singh, the year 2024 recorded the loss of several notable and prominent celebrities which has left many of their fans sad and disillusioned.
The year 2024 recorded the loss of several notable and prominent celebrities which has left many of their fans sad and disillusioned. Here is a look at all the celebrities who passed away this year.
1. Suhani Bhatnagar (Actress): Played the role of a young Babita Phogat in the Aamir Khan starrer Dangal (2016), died on 16 February 2024 at the age of 19 at AIIMS, New Delhi. According to her parents, Suhani was suffering from dermatomyositis, a rare inflammatory disease that causes skin rash and muscle weakness. She played one of the four on-screen daughters of Mahavir Phogat (played by Aamir Khan) in Nitesh Tiwari’s Dangal.
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2. Rituraj Singh (Actor): Television and film actor Rituraj Singh died of cardiac arrest at a Mumbai hospital on 19 February 2024 at the age of 59. Rituraj began his career on the small screen by playing host on Zee TV’s popular game show, Tol Mol Ke Bol in 1993 after which he acted in TV shows like Banegi Apni Baat, Jyoti, Hitler Didi, Shapath, Warrior High, Aahat, Adaalat, Diya Aur Baati Hum.
He also featured in films such as Satyameva Jayate 2, Badrinath Ki Dulhania, Hum Tum Aur Ghost, Tum Mile, Jersey, Yaariyan 2, and Vash: Possessed by the Obsessed. Some of the web series he appeared in included The Test Case, Hey Prabhu, Criminal, Abhay, Bandish Bandits, Never Kiss Your Best Friend, and Made in Heaven Season 2.
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3. Vikas Sethi (Actor): TV and Bollywood actor, Vikas Sethi passed away in his sleep on 8 September 2024 at Nashik at the age of 48. Born in Chandigarh in 1976, Vikas Sethi was a well-known face in the 2000s who worked in popular shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahiin To Hoga, Kasautii Zindagi Kay, and Sasural Simar Ka, etc. He also appeared in supporting roles in movies like Deewaanapan (2001), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001). He was last seen in the Telugu movie iSmart Shankar in 2019. He leaves behind his wife, Jhanvi Sethi, and their twin sons.
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4. Atul Parchure (Actor): Veteran Marathi and Hindi film actor Atul Parchure passed away on 14 October 2024 in Mumbai at the age of 57. The actor, who was known for his comedic roles, had been suffering from cancer for a long time. He started his acting career as a child artist in the 1985 Marathi film, Khichdi and later marked his Bollywood debut in Bedardi in 1993.
His other notable works include Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000),Kyon Ki... (2005), Kalyug (2005), , Awarapan (2007), All the Best (2009), Khatta Meetha (2010), Judwaa 2 (2017) and Liger (2022), etc. He was last seen in 'The Kapil Sharma Show' and the Marathi film Alibaba Aani Chalishitale Chor (2024).
5. Sharda Sinha (Playback Singer): Reputed folk and classical singer Sharda Sinha breathed her last in New Delhi on 5 November 2024. Born in 1952, Sharda Sinha died due to age-related health issues and was suffering from multiple myeloma for a while. She predominantly sang in Maithili, Hindi, and Bhojpuri language films and was popularly known as 'Bihar Kokila', the 'Cuckoo of Bihar'.
Her folk songs mainly included 'Vivah Geet' and 'Chhath Geet' for which she was honoured with the Padma Shri award, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2000, and the Padma Bhushan in 2018. She made her Bollywood playback singing debut in Rivaaj in 1972 and thereafter sang in popular films like Papi Pet Ka Sawaal Hai (1984), Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), Gangs of Wasseypur Part II (2012), and others.
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6. Pankaj Udhas (Playback Singer): Legendary ghazal and playback singer Pankaj Udhas breathed his last on 26 February 2024 in Mumbai at the age of 72 due to a prolonged illness. Born in 1951, Pankaj Udhas started his career by releasing the ghazal album, Aahat in 1980 followed by hit albums like Mukarar (1981), Tarrannum (1982), Mehfil (1983), etc.
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Some of his big ghazal hits were Chaandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera, Aur Ahista Kijiye Baatein, Ek Taraf Uska Ghar, and Thodi Thodi Piya Karo, etc. His big Bollywood break came in Mahesh Bhatt’s Naam in 1986 with the song Chitthi Aayi Hai, Chaandi Jaisa Rang Hai from Ek Hi Maqsad (1998), Aaj Phir Tumpe from Dayavan (1988), Jeeyein To Jeeyein Kaise from Saajan (1991), Na Kajre Ki Dhaar from Mohra (1994) and others. He was a recipient of many awards including the Padmashri in 2006. He is survived by his wife Farida Udhas, daughters Nayaab and Reva Udhas, and brothers Nirmal and Manhar Udhas, who are also singers.
7. Kaveta Chaudhary: Well-known television and film actress, Kaveta Chaudhary breathed her last at a hospital in Amritsar after suffering a heart attack on 15 February 2024, at the age of 67. Fondly remembered for her role as an IPS officer in the 1989 television show Udaan, Kaveta was also a part of other well-known TV series such as Apradhi Kaun, Raj Se Swaraj, Your Honour, IPS Diaries and Karrle Tu Mohabbat, etc.
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She was also well-known as Lalitaji in the Surf detergent advertisement in the 80s. Born in 1957, she was an alumnus of the National School of Drama and had acted in a couple of Hindi movies including Tum Laut Aao (1983) and Ek Aur Suhagan (1992). She had been suffering from cancer for a few years.
8. Asha Sharma (Actress): Veteran TV and film actress Asha Sharma breathed her last at 87. Mostly known for her supporting roles as an on-screen mother, her acting career spanned over five decades. She made her debut in 1975 with Kagaz Ki Nao and went on to play roles in more than 200 films, of which some of her notable works were in movies like Janbaaz, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Chandni, Baaghi, Hum, Damini, Krantiveer, Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam, Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai, and others.
She last appeared in Prabhas and Kriti Sanon's film Adipurush, released in 2023. She featured in TV shows like Kumkum Bhagya, Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya and Ek Aur Mahabharat.
9. Helena Luke (Actress): Noted Bollywood actress of the 80s, Helena Luke, who acted in popular movies like Judaai (1980), Saath Saath (1982), Yeh Nazdeekiyan (1982), Bhai Aakhir Bhai Hota Hai (1982), Aao Pyar Karen (1983), Do Gulaab (1983), Romance (1983), Mard (1985), etc., passed away in America due to an unknown illness at the age of 68. She was married to Mithun Chakraborty in 1979, which ended within four months. After quitting acting in 1986, she shifted to New York and worked for an airline as a flight attendant.
10. Rajat Poddar (Production Designer): Renowned production designer and art director, Rajat Poddar died of a cardiac arrest in London on 27 September 2024 at 53. He was one of the most popular production designers of Bollywood film industry who designed sets for many films, including Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Fighter, Pathan, Barfi, Jagga Jasoos, Jabariya Jodi, Baaghi, Crook, Kites, Raaz and others. He also worked as an art director in films like Murder, Jannat, Awarapan, No Problem, Hattrick, Woh Lamhe, The Killer, Gangster, Kalyug, Nazar, Zeher, etc.
11. Zakir Hussain (Tabla Maestro): Renowned Indian musician and legendary tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain passed away on December 15, 2024, at the age of 73 due to severe complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive lung disease. The news left the entire nation in mourning, as Zakir Hussain was widely regarded as the greatest tabla maestro of his time, inspiring countless generations. A four-time Grammy Award winner, his extraordinary legacy will continue to influence and guide aspiring tabla players around the world for years to come.
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12. Bapsi Sidhwa: She was a Pakistani novelist who wrote in English and later resided in the United States. She breathed her last on December 25. Sidhwa was widely recognised for her collaborative efforts with Indo-Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta. Her 1991 novel Ice Candy Man served as the inspiration for Mehta's 1998 film Earth, while her 2006 book Water: A Novel was based on Mehta's 2005 film Water.
A documentary chronicling Sidhwa's life, titled Bapsi: Silences of My Life, premiered on the official YouTube channel of "The Citizens Archive of Pakistan" on 28 October 2022. Released under the series title First Generation - Stories of Partition: Bapsi Sidhwa, it sheds light on her life and contributions.
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