New Delhi: In Pune, Marathi actress and classical danseuse Ashwini Ekbote passed away while performing on the stage.

She suffered a massive heart attack. She was 44-year-old. At the Bharat Natyamandir, Ashwini was performing on Saturday evening when she collapsed suddenly. She was rushed to a hospital nearby but was declared brought dead.

Last year, she was in the news when she claimed her co-passenger had behaved badly with her while traveling to Pune.

Ashwini Ekbote preferred to keep a low profile as an actress but her chemistry with actor Sharad Ponkshe was famous. He also directed Ashwini in the Marathi play ‘Eka kshanaat’.

From the Marathi film industry, Ashwini’s friends took to social media to share their shock at the news.

Actress Sonali Kulkarni wrote on Twitter, “This is extremely shocking!!! Dear friend Ashwini Ekbote no more! So young, so fit, so full of life..! RIP.”

Bhagyesh Desai, the filmmaker said he found it hard to accept the sad news, “She always treated me like a son on set. My first casting of script. Jus can’t accept that she is no more. RIP.”