India's First Oscar Winner & Costume Designer Bhanu Athaiya Passes Away At 91

Bhanu Athaiya, who was the first Indian artist to win an Oscar for 'Gandhi' in 1983', passed away on Thursday (October 15).

(Source- Twitter)

New Delhi: Veteran costume designer Bhanu Athaiya passed away on Thursday (October 15). She was 91. Athaiya, who worked in over 100 films, was the first Indian to win the prestigious Oscar Award. She bagged the Academy Award for Best Costume Design in 1983 for the film 'Gandhi'. Athaiya's daughter Radhika Gupta, while exclusively talking to ABP News, said that her mother died of age related illness at her house in Colaba. "My mother was diagnosed with brain tumour in 2012 but she refused to undergo a surgery to remove it. She suffered a paralysis in 2015 and since then, she has not been able to walk. She passed away while sleeping in the morning. There was a sense of calmness on her face at the time of her death," Radhika said. Bhanu Athaiya's funeral took place at Chandiwadi crematorium on Thursday afternoon. According to reports, Bhanu Athaiya wished to return her Oscar Award to The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in February 2012 as she felt her family won't be able to take care of the trophy after her death.  On 15 December 2012, it was confirmed that her trophy was returned to The Academy. Bhanu Athaiya won two National Film Awards, in 1991 and 2002 for 'Lekin' and Aamir Khan starrer 'Laagan' respectively. She was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award at Filmfare Awards 2009 for her outstanding contribution to cinema. Athaiya made her debut as a film costume designer with Dev Anand starrer 'C.I.D.' in 1956. She worked with leading directors including Guru Dutt, Yash Chopra, Raj Kapoor, Vijay Anand and B.R. Chopra in her star-studded career. Bhan also collaborated with international directors  like Conrad Rooks and Richard Attenborough. Stay tuned for more updates!