Here are 8 famous actors from India died at 55:
Murali (May 25, 1954 Kudavattor-August 6, 2009 Thiruvananthapuram) also known as Murli was an Indian actor, film producer, film score composer and author. He had one child, Karthika Murali.
He died caused by myocardial infarction.
Murali began his acting career in 1980 with the Malayalam film "Njattadi." He appeared in more than 200 films, mostly in Malayalam but also in Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor in 2002 for his role in the film "Neythukaran." In addition to his successful acting career, Murali also produced several films and composed the score for a few. He was also an accomplished author, writing a book on his experiences during the making of the film "Neythukaran." Murali was known for his versatile and intense performances, and his untimely death was a great loss to the Indian film industry.
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Mohammed Rafi (December 24, 1924 Kotla Sultan Singh-July 31, 1980 Mumbai) a.k.a. Mohd. Rafi, Mohammad Rafi, Mohd Rafi, محمد رفیع, मोहम्मद रफ़ी or Rafi, Mohammed was an Indian singer, playback singer and actor. His children are Saeed Rafi, Khalid Rafi, Hamid Rafi, Shahid Rafi, Parveen Rafi, Nasreen Rafi and Yasmin Rafi.
He died as a result of myocardial infarction.
Mohammed Rafi was one of the most popular and respected playback singers in the Indian film industry, with a career spanning over four decades from the 1940s to the 1980s. He lent his voice to over 4,500 songs in multiple languages including Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi and Gujarati. He worked with many renowned composers like Naushad, Shankar-Jaikishan and S.D. Burman, and collaborated closely with legendary actor and producer, Dev Anand. He won several awards for his contributions to Indian music, including six Filmfare Awards and one National Film Award. Rafi was known for his versatility and ability to sing in varied styles, ranging from classical to folk, qawwali to Ghazals. Even after his death, he remains an iconic figure in Indian music and continues to inspire generations of singers.
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Kalki Krishnamurthy (September 9, 1899 Manalmedu-December 5, 1954 Chennai) also known as Kalki, R. Krishnamurthy or R. Krishnamoorthy was an Indian writer, novelist, journalist and actor. His children are called Kalki Rajendran and Anandi Ramachandran.
He died caused by tuberculosis.
Kalki Krishnamurthy is best known for his work in Tamil literature. He was a prolific writer who authored over 120 books, including novels, short stories, and essays. His most famous novel is 'Ponniyin Selvan', which is considered a masterpiece of Tamil literature. It is a historical novel set in the Chola dynasty and is a favourite among Tamil readers.
Kalki Krishnamurthy was also an active member of the Indian independence movement and used his work to promote the cause. He was the founder of the Tamil daily newspaper 'Kalki' which is still in print today. Krishnamurthy also founded the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation, which aimed to support and promote traditional handicrafts in the state.
Apart from his writing and political contributions, Kalki Krishnamurthy was also a trained classical musician and a stage actor. He acted in several plays and movies, including the Tamil film 'Chandralekha', which was a huge commercial success. In recognition of his contributions to Tamil literature, Kalki Krishnamurthy was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1954 for his novel 'Alai Osai'. He is celebrated as one of the most influential and beloved writers in Tamil Nadu.
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Narasimharaju (July 24, 1923 Tiptur-July 11, 1979) also known as T. R. Narasimharaju, Narasimha Raju, Hasya chakravarthi, Hasya Rathna, T.R.Narasimharaju, Narasimhraju or Hasya Chakravarthy T.R. Narasimharaju was an Indian actor and comedian. He had three children, Narahari Raju, Sudha Narasimharaju and Dharmavathi Narasimharaju.
He died as a result of myocardial infarction.
Narasimharaju began his career in acting in 1954 with the film Bedara Kannappa. He quickly gained popularity for his comedic roles and became known as the "Hasya Chakravarthi" or Emperor of Comedy. He acted in over 300 films in a career spanning two decades.
Apart from his acting skills, Narasimharaju was also known for his singing and writing abilities. He wrote several plays and songs and even composed music for some films. He was also a skilled harmonium player.
Narasimharaju was a versatile actor and played roles in various genres of films including dramas, comedies, and mythological films. He often played supporting roles and was known for his ability to bring life to even small characters.
In addition to his successful career in films, Narasimharaju was also involved in social work. He was a philanthropist and supported several causes. He also organized events to raise funds for charitable organizations.
Narasimharaju's death in 1979 came as a shock to his fans and the film industry. He continues to be remembered as one of the greatest comedians in Kannada cinema.
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Sirkazhi Govindarajan (January 19, 1933 Sirkazhi-March 24, 1988 Chennai) a.k.a. Seerkazhi Govindarajan was an Indian actor and singer. He had one child, Sirkazhi G. Sivachidambaram.
Govindarajan was well-known for his contributions to the Tamil music industry and was regarded as one of the most versatile singers of his time. He began his career as a playback singer in the 1950s and collaborated with renowned music composers such as T. K. Ramamoorthy and K. V. Mahadevan. He also acted in a few Tamil films, and his portrayal of the character Guhan in the film "Thiruvilaiyadal" is particularly remembered.
Throughout his career, Govindarajan received numerous awards and accolades for his musical contributions, including the prestigious Padma Shri award in 1976. He sang a wide range of genres, from devotional songs to film songs, and his unique voice and emotive style made him a favorite among fans. He passed away in 1988 at the age of 55, but his legacy as a talented musician and actor lives on in the hearts of his fans.
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Jagat Jakhar (October 6, 1956 Jhajjar district-December 17, 2011 Chandigarh) also known as Jagat Singh Jakhar was an Indian actor.
He appeared in several Hindi films and was known for his character roles. Jagat Jakhar made his debut in the film industry with the film "Ghulami" in 1985. He played prominent roles in films such as "Tiranga", "Sarhad" and "Ziddi" among others. His portrayal of the character Bhagat in the film "Tiranga" was highly appreciated by the audience. Apart from being an actor, Jagat Jakhar was also a theatre artist and had performed in several stage plays. He was awarded the Haryana Gaurav Samman in 1991 for his contribution to Indian cinema. Jagat Jakhar passed away in Chandigarh in 2011 at the age of 55.
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Chalam (May 18, 1929 Palakollu-February 19, 1985) also known as Challam, Korada simhachalam, Korada Surya Chalam, Ramana Chalam or Andhra Dileep Kumar was an Indian actor and film art director.
He started his career as an art director and worked on several Telugu films before making his acting debut in 1960 with the film "Budhimantudu". Some of his memorable performances include "Rakta Sambandham", "Devanthakudu", "Malliswari", and "Sri Krishna Tulabharam".
Aside from acting, Chalam was also a skilled artist and writer. He wrote and illustrated several books on Hindu mythology and was known for his unique style of art. He also wrote scripts for films and worked as a director for a few films.
Chalam received the prestigious Nandi Award for Best Villain for his role in "Devanthakudu" and was nominated for several other awards during his career. He was known for his intense and versatile acting and is remembered as one of the finest character actors in Telugu cinema.
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Musari Krishnamurthy (March 10, 1930-March 16, 1985) also known as Musuri Krishnamurthy or Krishnamurthy was an Indian actor, film director and film producer. He had three children, Gurudutt Krishnamurthy, Jayasimha Krishnamurthy and Vishalakshi Krishnamurthy.
Krishnamurthy was born in Andhra Pradesh, India and began his career in the film industry in the 1950s. He acted in several films before eventually directing and producing films as well. Some of his notable films as a director include "Valleem Thetti Pulleem Thetti," "Madhavikutty," and "Kireedamillatha Rajakkanmar."
Krishnamurthy was also a well-known stage actor and performed in many plays throughout his career. He was known for his versatility as an actor and director, often exploring diverse themes in his work. He won several awards and accolades for his contributions to the film industry.
Sadly, Krishnamurthy passed away in 1985 due to a heart attack, leaving behind a legacy in Indian cinema that continues to inspire and influence filmmakers to this day.
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