Here are 7 famous actors from India died at 40:
Chakri (June 15, 1974 Mahabubabad-December 15, 2014) also known as Chakradhar, Chakradhar Gilla or Chakri Gilla was an Indian singer, composer, film score composer and actor.
He died in myocardial infarction.
Chakri had a prolific career in the Telugu film industry, where he composed music for over 85 films. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director for the film "Simha" in 2010. He was also known for his collaborations with directors like Puri Jagannadh and RGV. Apart from composing music, Chakri also lent his voice to many popular songs in the Telugu film industry. He also acted in a few films, including "Sathyam" and "Andamaina Manasulo". Chakri was known for his energetic and foot-tapping music, which became immensely popular among Telugu audiences.
Read more about Chakri on Wikipedia »
Veerendra (August 15, 1948 Phagwara-December 6, 1988 Talwandi) also known as Veerindera, Godfather of Punjabi cinema, Big B, Veerendera, Vreendera, Veerender, Veerinder or Veerinder Singh was an Indian film director, actor, writer, screenwriter and film producer. He had two children, Randeep Arya and Ramandeep Arya.
Veerendra began his career in the entertainment industry in the early 1970s as an actor in Punjabi films. In 1973, he made his directorial debut with the film "Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam," which was a huge success and is considered a classic in Punjabi cinema. He went on to direct more than 20 films in his career.
Apart from directing, Veerendra also acted in many films, including "Punjab Da Sher," "Jatt Da Gandasa," and "Jagir," among others. He was known for his powerful screen presence and macho image.
Veerendra was also a prolific screenwriter, and his scripts were known for their gripping storylines and strong characters. He wrote the script for the film "Gandhi to Hitler," which was released posthumously in 2011.
Tragically, Veerendra passed away at the young age of 40 due to a heart attack. He is remembered as a pioneering figure in Punjabi cinema, who left a lasting impact on the industry with his filmmaking and writing.
Read more about Veerendra on Wikipedia »
Siddharth Ray (July 19, 1963 India-March 16, 2004) also known as Shushant Ray, Siddarth, Sidharth, Sushant Ray or Siddharth was an Indian actor. He had two children, Shishya Ray and Sonia Ray.
He died in myocardial infarction.
Siddharth Ray was born on July 19, 1963, in India. He started his acting career in the 1990s and made his debut in the film "Paap Ki Duniya" in 1988. He was known for his roles in films like "Joggers’ Park", "Tango Charlie", "Kyun! Ho Gaya Na..." and "Neal 'n' Nikki".
Apart from his work in films, Siddharth Ray was also a well-known televison actor, having appeared in popular shows like "Byomkesh Bakshi" and "Bharat Ek Khoj". He was known for his versatility as an actor and his ability to portray a range of characters, from serious and intense to light-hearted and comedic.
Siddharth Ray was married and had two children, a son named Shishya and a daughter named Sonia. He was passionate about music and played the guitar in his free time. Unfortunately, he passed away on March 16, 2004, at the age of 40, due to a heart attack. His sudden demise was a shock to the Indian film industry and to his fans.
Read more about Siddharth Ray on Wikipedia »
Mahavir Shah (April 5, 1960 Mumbai-August 31, 2000 Chicago) a.k.a. Mahaveer Shah, Late Mahavir Shah, Late Mahaveer Sah or Mahaveer was an Indian actor.
He was known for his roles in Hindi and Gujarati films, as well as television shows. Shah began his career in the early 1980s and became a popular supporting actor in Bollywood films. He acted in several notable films, including Ab Ayega Maza, Gharana, Pyari Behna, and Dilwale Kabhi Na Hare.
In addition to his film work, Shah also acted in various Gujarati plays and TV shows, such as Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka, Saans Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, and Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. He received critical acclaim for his roles in these productions and was regarded as one of the most talented actors in the Gujarati entertainment industry.
Unfortunately, Shah passed away at the age of 40 due to a heart attack while he was on a business trip to Chicago. His sudden death came as a shock to the entertainment industry and his fans, who mourned his untimely loss. Despite his short career, Shah left an indelible mark on Indian cinema and entertainment, and his legacy continues to inspire aspiring actors and artists to this day.
Read more about Mahavir Shah on Wikipedia »
Uday Prakash (April 5, 1964 Ooty-August 18, 2004 Chennai) a.k.a. manikandan was an Indian actor.
He predominantly worked in the Tamil film industry and was known for his versatile roles in various films. Uday Prakash started his career as a child artist and made his debut as a lead actor in the Tamil film "Poonthotta Kavalkaran". He went on to act in several films including "En Thangai Kalyani", "Kavithai Paada Neramillai" and "Pulan Visaranai".
Throughout his career, Uday Prakash worked with many renowned directors and actors and received critical acclaim for his performances. He won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor for his role in the film "Kanna Thorakkanum Saami" in 1996.
Aside from acting, Uday Prakash was also a trained classical dancer and choreographer. He owned a dance school in Chennai, where he trained several aspiring dancers. He passed away at the age of 40 due to a heart attack.
Read more about Uday Prakash on Wikipedia »
Nasir Khan (April 5, 2015 India-May 3, 1974 India) also known as Late Janab Nasir Khan or Nasir was an Indian actor. He had one child, Ayub Khan.
Nasir Khan was born in the year 1924 in India's Peshawar, which was then a part of British-ruled India. He was the younger brother of the legendary actor, Dilip Kumar. Nasir Khan made his acting debut in the year 1948 with the film, "Sazaa" directed by Fali Mistry. He went on to feature in several successful Hindi films such as "Badal", "Amar", "Bara-Dari", "Dholak", and "Munimji".
Apart from acting, Nasir Khan was also a skilled photographer and a keen sports enthusiast. In fact, he was an accomplished horse rider and even participated in several prestigious equestrian events. He passed away on May 3, 1974, at the age of 50. His son, Ayub Khan, also followed in his father's footsteps and became an actor.
Read more about Nasir Khan on Wikipedia »
P K Rosy (April 5, 2015 Thiruvananthapuram-April 5, 1975) also known as Rosy, Rosamma or P. K. Rosy was an Indian actor. He had two children, Padma Pillai and Nagappan Pillai.
P K Rosy was the first female actor of Malayalam cinema. She rose to fame after playing the lead role in the film "Vigathakumaran" (The Lost Child) in 1928. However, the film faced opposition from the orthodox community as Rosy, who was from a Dalit community, was shown marrying a Nair man in the film. The film was banned and all the prints were destroyed.
After the controversy, Rosy was not offered any roles in the film industry and had to work as a daily wage laborer. She later moved to Tamil Nadu and worked in a cotton mill. She was eventually forgotten by the film industry and the public.
It was only in the 1970s that Rosy's contribution to Indian cinema was remembered and celebrated. A special retrospective was held in Trivandrum in 1979 in her honor. Today, she is remembered as a trailblazer who broke barriers and paved the way for future generations of women in Indian cinema.
Read more about P K Rosy on Wikipedia »