Remembering Indian Artists Who Passed Away in 2023

Satish Chandra Kaushik was a well-known Indian actor and comedian. He was also a director, producer, and screenwriter. Kaushik graduated from Kirori Mal College, Delhi, and received professional training from the National School of Drama, Delhi, and the Film and Television Institute, Pune.

In his lifetime, Kaushik was a part of more than 100 films and shows. His most famous theatre role was in the Hindi adaptation of Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman named Salesman Ramlal.

In the film industry, Kaushik gained popularity with his iconic role in the superhero film Mr. India (1987). His humorous role as a cook and the famous dialogue "Calendar, khaana do" became a household dialogue in the 1990s.

His most famous movies include Ram Lakhan (1989), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Deewana Mastana (1997), Brick Lane (2007), Udta Punjab (2016), Kaagaz (2021).

The Queen of Beauty and the King of Thieves (1993) was Kaushik's first film as a director. The film did not do well at the box office.

The first hit film he directed was Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain (1999). His other ventures as a director include Prem (1995), In Your Name (2003), Vaada (2004), Teree Sang: A Kidult Love Story (2009).

He won the Best Comic Actor award at the Filmfare Awards for his role in Ram Lakhan and Saajan Chale Sasural in 1990 and 1997, respectively. He won the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival for his role in Kaagaz.

Shortly after celebrating Holi with his friends, Kaushik died due to cardiac arrest on March 9, 2023.

Sanjay Gadhvi was born on 22 November 1965 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He was a director and writer, known for Dhoom 2 (2006), Dhoom (2004) and Kidnap (2008). He was married to Gina. He died on 19 November 2023 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Javed Khan Amrohi was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He is an Indian actor who has acted in various Bollywood films in supporting and cameo roles, amounting to approx. 150 Hindi films. He is best known for his role in Academy Award-nominated Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001), Andaz Apna Apna (1994) and the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Chak De! India (2007). He is also known for working in Phir Hera Pheri (2006) as a Police Constable.

Rajkumar Kohli was born on 14 September 1930 in Lahore, British India. He was a producer and director, known for Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani (2002), Nagin (1976) and Muqabla (1979). He was married to Nishi. He died on 24 November 2023.

Nitesh Pandey was born on 17 January 1973 in Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. He was an actor, known for Om Shanti Om (2007), Pyaar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyaara Pyaara (2012) and Khosla Ka Ghosla! (2006). He was married to Arpita Pandey and Ashwini Kalsekar. He died on 23 May 2023 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Gufi Paintal is an Indian actor who appeared in some notable Bollywood movies in 1980s, as well as television serials and plays. He was born in a Sikh Family.His most well-known role is that of Mama (Maternal Uncle) Shakuni in the Mahabharat adaptation by B.R. Chopra and his son Ravi Chopra which Paintal himself recognizes as his best role.

Pradeep Sarkar was born on 30 April 1955 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India. He was a director and writer, known for Parineeta (2005), Mardaani (2014) and Dabba Gul. He died on 24 March 2023 in India.

Dinesh Phadnis was born on 2 November 1966 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India. He was an actor and writer, known for Sarfarosh (1999), C.I.D. (1998) and Bharla Ha Malavat Raktan (1993). He was married to Nayana. He died on 5 December 2023 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Vijayakanth, who's affectionately called 'Puratchi Kalaignar' and 'Captain' by his fans and well-wishers, had to face so many challenges and unfriendly situations before he could achieve the fame and popularity he's enjoying to-day in Tamil filmfield. He, whose original name was Vijayaraj, was born on 25th August, at Madurai, Tamilnadu, his parents being Azhagarsamy-Andal. When he was one year old his mother Andal passed away. His parents had three more children. To bring up the one year old baby Vijayakanth and because of the pressure exerted upon Vijayakanth's father by all the family members, the latter (Father of Vijayakanth) married one Rukmani as his second wife. This couple gave birth to 7 children. All these members now live together happily in a joint family. From 1st std. to 5th std. Vijayakanth studied at a particular school. He finished his 6th std. at M.C.High School. He pursued his 7th and 8th std. at Devakottai school. He did his 9th std. at a different school. 10th and 11th std. were studied by him at St. Mary's school. During that period, Vijayakanth was looking after his father's rice-mill business. So he couldn't pursue his studies beyond 11th std. Vijayakanth had some close friends then. One notable friend among them was A.Se. Ibrahim Rawther (who's even now with Vijayakanth as if his own-brother and has also earned the distinction of being one of the leading film producers in cinefield). All these friends in those days used to gather together near Sena's Films, a films distribution company, at Madurai. Marsook, the proprietor-distributor of Sena's Films, used to keenly observe the activities of Vijayakanth. One day he asked Vijayakanth whether the latter was interested in acting in films. Out of pressure from his friends, Vijayakanth agreed to act in films. Subsequently he (Vijayakanth) was booked for acting in the film "Yen Kelvikku Yenna Pathil?". Yet, after some time, he was dropped from the project on the ground that he was not good at Tamil dialogue delivery. This elicited a great passion within his heart that he took a vow to get into cine acting with renewed efforts and to make his career a rewarding success! With this one objective in mind, he knocked at the doors of each and every film company asking for acting chance. But there was not any positive response. Marsook had then distributed so many films directed by M.A.Kaja! Vijayakanth was introduced to Kaja by Marsook. As a result Vijayakanth was booked in "Inikkum Ilamai". This was the first film acted by Vijayakanth. After this, he acted in "Thooraththu Idi Muzhakkam", "Neerottam" and "Agal Vilakku". These films didn't bring great success. Yet Vijayakanth too didn't lose heart. He waited for good opportunity. 'Vadaloor Combines' proprietor Chidambaram saw "Neerottam" at Krishnaveni theatre, T.Nagar, Chennai. Seeing Vijayakanth in action, he started developing some interest in him as he identified some hopeful, positive traits in his (Viyayakanth's) style of acting and personality. He wanted to produce a film by booking Vijayakanth. His wish got materialized through "Sattam Oru Iruttarai". In this project too there arose stiff opposition from some quarters protesting against giving the hero chance to Vijayakanth in the film! Yet, overlooking all these objections, the producer stood firm in his decision and made Vijayakanth the hero! S.A.Chandrasekaran directed this film. When, finally, the film got released, it proved to be a grand success! Subsequently Vijayakanth was booked in 18 new films. While he was doing these films, at a specific period, his cinema market started becoming dull again! At this juncture, the film "Saatchi" was released. Vijayakanth had done the lead role in it. S.A.Chandrasekaran had directed it. P.S.Veerappa had produced it. This film, in it's turn, created a new success record. The following is a popular dialogue written by Kalaignar Karunanidhi: "Veezhvathu Naamaaga Irunthaalum Vazhvathu Thamizhaaga Irukkattum".Vijayakanth picked up these words as his heart-loving golden rule. Whenever he addresses any function or releases some press statement or birth day message, he uses to add the words 'Tamil', 'Tamil', 'Tamil' as one of his most ideal slogans. The recent release "Ulavuththurai" is his 125th film. Upto this film he hasn't so far acted even in a single, other language film. He's the only Tamil actor who has achieved this distinction! Though actor Sarathkumar had already acted in films before, his role in "Pulan Visaranai" in which he teamed with Vijayakanth proved to be one of the great limelights in his acting career. Vijayakanth introduced Mansoor Alikhan to filmfield through his "Captain Prabaharan". He (Vijayakanth) has introduced through his different films, film institute students like R.K.Selvamani, R.Aravintharaj, Ilavarasan and a few others as newface film directors. Many different newface heroines also have got introduced through his films. Though Vijayakanth hasn't acted in other language films, each and every film of him has been dubbed into Telugu language and thus has led to huge revenue collection too!

Mohammed Naim Sayed is one of those lucky stars who was graced by a name given by legendary Mehmood, since then he is known as Jr. Mehmood. Junior Mehmood was a popular child star of his time, directs Marathi films and performs with his own orchestra. He kicked off his career with G. P. Sippy's 'Bramachari' (1968) ,which got him a Filmfare award. Ever since then he climbed the stairs of success and never looked back.1972 was the year where he was nominated for National Award for B. Nagireddy's 'Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani'.So far he's acted in 265 movies in 7 different languages and also has produced and directed 6 Marathi movies.Jr. Mehmood is also known as an event organiser, He organises events, comedy shows, Star nites, parties etc.. which only includes talented names and a performer himself. He is married to Naima Sayed and his children are Hasnain Sayed a writer and music manager and Hasanrafi Sayed.

Sarath Babu was born on 31 July 1951 in Amadalavalasa, Andhra Pradesh, India. He was an actor, known for Magadheera (2009), Criminal (1994) and Uthiri Pookkal (1979). He was married to Sneha Nambiar and Rama Prabha. He died on 22 May 2023 in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

Manobala was born on 8 December 1953 in Balachander, Tamil Nadu, India. He was an actor and director, known for Sathuranga Vettai (2014), Thuppakki (2012) and Vetri Padigal (1991). He was married to Usha Mahadevan. He died on 3 May 2023 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Shahnawaz Pradhan was born on 6 December 1963 in Raj Khariar, Nuapada, Orissa, India. He was an actor, known for Raees (2017), 24: India (2013) and M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016). He died on 17 February 2023 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Siddique was born on 1 October 1962 in Kochi, Kerala, India. He was a writer and director, known for Bodyguard (2011), Hera Pheri (2000) and Big Brother (2020). He was married to Seena. He died on 8 August 2023 in Kochi, Kerala, India.

K. Viswanath was born on 19 February 1930 in Peddapulivarru, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India. He was a writer and director, known for Sagara Sangamam (1983), Swarnakamalam (1988) and Sutradhaarulu (1990). He was married to Kasinadhuni Jayalakshmi. He died on 2 February 2023 in Hyderabad, India.

Rio Kapadia was born in 1956. He was an actor, known for Happy New Year (2014), Dil Chahta Hai (2001) and Chak De! India (2007). He was married to Beena Kapadia. He died on 14 September 2023.

In a prolific career as a wonderful comedic actor he has done over 500 films in Hindi, Punjabi, Bhojpuri and Marathi. He believes that it was his role as "Baanchcharam" in V. Shantaram's film "Boond Jo Ban Gayi Moti" that launched his career. He worked in many Manoj Kumar films including "Upkar", "Roti Kapda Aur Makaan" and "Kranti". His prominent roles include: a prisoner with a half cut mustache in "Sholay", a drug addict in the film "Anurodh" and an informer in the film "Amir Garib".

Ravindra Berde was born on 15 October 1945. He was an actor, known for Nayak: The Real Hero (2001), Singham (2011) and Yeshwant (1997). He died on 13 December 2023 in Mumbai, India.

Innocent Vareed Thekkethala was born on 4 March 1948 in Thrissur, Kerala, India. He was an actor and producer, known for Aavanazhi (1986), Pranchiyettan and the Saint (2010) and Devasuram (1993). He was married to Alice Thekkethala. He died on 26 March 2023 in Kochi, Kerala, India.

Mayilsamy was born on 2 October 1965 in Sathyamangalam, Erode district, Tamil Nadu. He was an actor, known for 2.0 (2018), Kangalal Kaidhu Sei (2004) and Potta Potti (2011). He died on 19 February 2023.

Sulochana Latkar was born on 30 July 1928 in Khadaklat, Karnataka, India. She was an actress, known for Sampoorna Ramayana (1961), Jeevacha Sakha (1948) and Gora Aur Kala (1972). She was married to Aabasaheb Chavan. She died on 4 June 2023 in Mumbai, India.

Jamuna was born on 30 August 1936 in Hampi, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. She was an actress, known for Milan (1967), Kurukshetramu (1977) and Kurukshetra (1977). She was married to Juluri Ramana Rao. She died on 27 January 2023 in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.

K.G. George was born on 26 May 1946 in Changanacheri, Kerala, British India [now India]. He was a director and writer, known for Yavanika (1982), Ee Kannikoodi (1990) and Lekhayude Maranam: Oru Flashback (1983). He was married to Selma George. He died on 24 September 2023 in Kakkanad, Kerala, India.

Anand Babu was born on 30 August 1963 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He was a director and actor, known for Atrangi Re (2021), Bommalattam (2012) and Urumi: The Warriors Who Wanted to Kill Vasco Da Gama (2011). He died on 19 September 2023 in India.

Vinod Thomas was born in India. He was an actor, known for Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2020), Randam Mukham (2022) and Kuri (2022). He died on 18 November 2023 in India.