2025 has been a year marked by profound loss for Indian cinema. The nation mourned the death of several beloved Bollywood celebrities who left an indelible mark on the industry. These individuals, through their work, not only shaped their respective fields but also left behind legacies that continue to resonate with audiences across generations. Here's a tribute to the beloved artists we lost this year.
1. Dharmendra
Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra died on November 24 at the age of 89. He had been suffering from age-related illnesses and respiratory complications. The actor had been in and out of Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital earlier in November before spending his final days at home. He died at his residence in Mumbai. His last rites were performed on November 24 at the Shree Vile Parle Seva Samaj crematorium.
2. Manoj Kumar
Veteran actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar died on April 4 at the age of 87. He had been bedridden for several weeks following a prolonged illness.
3. Govardhan Asrani
Who doesn't remember Govardhan Asrani? With a career spanning over five decades, the actor appeared in 350 films. His iconic role as the "Angrezon ke zamaane ke jailer" in the 1975 classic Sholay will stay in our hearts rent-free. Asrani died on October 20 following a prolonged illness and complications related to fluid accumulation in his lungs. He was 84.
4. Satish Shah
The whole nation was shocked by the sudden death of Satish Shah. The actor took his last breath on October 25 at the age of 74. While initial reports cited kidney failure, his co-star Rajesh Kumar later clarified that he died of a sudden cardiac arrest. He had been battling chronic kidney disease and had undergone a kidney transplant earlier in 2025.
5. Pankaj Dheer
Pankaj Dheer, known for his iconic portrayal of Karna in B.R. Chopra's 1988 epic TV series Mahabharat, died on October 15 following a prolonged battle with cancer. While he had previously recovered and returned to work, the illness relapsed in the months leading up to his death. He was 68.
6. Sulakshana Pandit
Veteran singer and actor Sulakshana Pandit left the world on November 6. She was 71. She died due to cardiac arrest while being rushed to Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai. Her brother, music composer Lalit Pandit, confirmed she had complained of breathlessness and felt unwell before collapsing.
7. Zubeen Garg
Assamese singer and cultural icon Zubeen Garg's death came as a shock. He was in Singapore for the North East India Festival when he collapsed while swimming near St John's Island. He was rushed to Singapore General Hospital but was declared dead in the ICU. He was 52.
8. Shefali Jariwala
Shefali Jariwala, who rose to fame with the Kaanta Laga music video, died on June 27. She was 42. Her death was attributed to sudden cardiac arrest.
9. Mukul Dev
Mukul Dev bid adieu to this world at the age of 54. His brother and actor Rahul Dev shared that Mukul's health had severely deteriorated due to loneliness and neglect of personal health.
He spent over eight days in the ICU before succumbing to these complications.
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