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12 Indian celebrities who passed away too early

Updated On: 30 June, 2025 01:33 PM IST | Athulya Nambiar

The Indian entertainment industry has lost many talented stars far too soon. From iconic film legends to rising television actors, these celebrities left an indelible mark through their work but passed away at a young age, often under tragic or unexpected circumstances. Here’s a look at some well-known names, how they died, and the age at which they bid farewell

The Indian entertainment industry has lost many talented stars far too soon. From iconic film legends to rising television actors, these celebrities left an indelible mark through their work but passed away at a young age, often under tragic or unexpected circumstances. Here’s a look at some well-known names, how they died, and the age at which they bid farewell

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The Indian entertainment industry has lost many talented stars far too soon. From iconic film legends to rising television actors, these celebrities left an indelible mark through their work but passed away at a young age, often under tragic or unexpected circumstances. Here’s a look at some well-known names, how they died, and the age at which they bid farewell
<p><strong>Meena Kumari (age 38)</strong></p>
<p>Meena Kumari passed away on March 31, 1972, due to liver cirrhosis caused by chronic alcohol consumption. She had been battling deteriorating health for several years</p>

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Meena Kumari (age 38)

Meena Kumari passed away on March 31, 1972, due to liver cirrhosis caused by chronic alcohol consumption. She had been battling deteriorating health for several years

<p><strong>Madhubala (age 36)</strong></p>
<p>Iconic actress Madhubala passed away on February 23, 1969. She suffered from a prolonged heart ailment (congenital heart disease), which worsened over the years, leading to her early death</p>

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Madhubala (age 36)

Iconic actress Madhubala passed away on February 23, 1969. She suffered from a prolonged heart ailment (congenital heart disease), which worsened over the years, leading to her early death

<p><strong>Smita Patil (age 31)</strong></p>
<p>Acclaimed actress Smita Patil died on December 13, 1986, from complications following childbirth (postpartum infection and septicemia), just days after giving birth to her son, Prateik Babbar</p>

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Smita Patil (age 31)

Acclaimed actress Smita Patil died on December 13, 1986, from complications following childbirth (postpartum infection and septicemia), just days after giving birth to her son, Prateik Babbar

<p><strong>Divya Bharti (age 19)</strong></p>
<p>Divya Bharti died on April 5, 1993, after falling from the balcony of her fifth-floor apartment in Mumbai. The incident was officially recorded as an accidental fall, though speculation about the circumstances persists</p>

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Divya Bharti (age 19)

Divya Bharti died on April 5, 1993, after falling from the balcony of her fifth-floor apartment in Mumbai. The incident was officially recorded as an accidental fall, though speculation about the circumstances persists

<p><strong>Soundarya (age 31)</strong></p>
<p>Popular South Indian actress Soundarya died on April 17, 2004, in a tragic helicopter crash near Bangalore while she was on her way to campaign for a political party</p>

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Soundarya (age 31)

Popular South Indian actress Soundarya died on April 17, 2004, in a tragic helicopter crash near Bangalore while she was on her way to campaign for a political party

<p><strong>Jiah Khan (age 25)</strong></p>
<p>Jiah Khan, known for films like Nishabd and Ghajini, died by suicide on June 3, 2013. She was found hanging in her Mumbai apartment. Her death shocked the film industry and led to a lengthy legal investigation</p>

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Jiah Khan (age 25)

Jiah Khan, known for films like Nishabd and Ghajini, died by suicide on June 3, 2013. She was found hanging in her Mumbai apartment. Her death shocked the film industry and led to a lengthy legal investigation

<p><strong>Puneeth Rajkumar (age 46)</strong></p>
<p>Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar died on October 29, 2021, after suffering a massive cardiac arrest while working out in the gym. He was rushed to Vikram Hospital in Bangalore but could not be revived</p>

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Puneeth Rajkumar (age 46)

Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar died on October 29, 2021, after suffering a massive cardiac arrest while working out in the gym. He was rushed to Vikram Hospital in Bangalore but could not be revived

<p><strong>Suhani Bhatnagar (age 19)</strong></p>
<p>Suhani Bhatnagar, who played young Babita Phogat in Dangal, passed away on February 16, 2024. She died due to complications from dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease</p>

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Suhani Bhatnagar (age 19)

Suhani Bhatnagar, who played young Babita Phogat in Dangal, passed away on February 16, 2024. She died due to complications from dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease

<p><strong>Shefali Jariwala</strong></p>
<p>The actress passed away on June 27 reportedly due to heart attack. She was 42 at the time of her passing</p>

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Shefali Jariwala

The actress passed away on June 27 reportedly due to heart attack. She was 42 at the time of her passing

<p><strong>Sidharth Shukla (age 40)</strong></p>
<p>Television and Bigg Boss 13 star Sidharth Shukla died on September 2, 2021, after suffering a sudden heart attack at home in Mumbai. He was declared dead on arrival at Cooper Hospital</p>

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Sidharth Shukla (age 40)

Television and Bigg Boss 13 star Sidharth Shukla died on September 2, 2021, after suffering a sudden heart attack at home in Mumbai. He was declared dead on arrival at Cooper Hospital

<p><strong>Pratyusha Banerjee (age 24)</strong></p>
<p>Television actress Pratyusha Banerjee, known for Balika Vadhu, was found hanging in her Mumbai apartment on April 1, 2016. The death was ruled a suicide</p>

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Pratyusha Banerjee (age 24)

Television actress Pratyusha Banerjee, known for Balika Vadhu, was found hanging in her Mumbai apartment on April 1, 2016. The death was ruled a suicide

<p><strong>Sushant Singh Rajput (age 34)</strong></p>
<p>On June 14, 2020, Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment in Mumbai. The cause was reported as suicide by hanging. His passing sparked massive media coverage, speculation, and multiple official investigations</p>

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Sushant Singh Rajput (age 34)

On June 14, 2020, Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment in Mumbai. The cause was reported as suicide by hanging. His passing sparked massive media coverage, speculation, and multiple official investigations

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