Here are 10 famous actors from India died at 56:
Narendra Prasad (December 26, 1946 Mavelikkara-November 3, 2003 Kozhikode) also known as Narendraprasad was an Indian actor, playwright, critic, author and teacher. He had two children, Deepa Prasad and Divya Prasad.
Narendra Prasad was born in Mavelikkara, a town in the Indian state of Kerala, and grew up in Thiruvananthapuram. He completed his education at the University of Kerala, where he earned a master's degree in Malayalam literature. He then started his career as a teacher of English at a college in Thiruvananthapuram, but soon realized that his true passion was writing and acting.
Narendra Prasad made his mark as a playwright with his play "Marthanda Varma", which was based on the novel of the same name by C.V. Raman Pillai. The play was a huge success and was staged across the state of Kerala. He went on to write several other plays, many of which were based on historical figures and events.
In addition to writing, Narendra Prasad also acted in numerous films and television shows. He appeared in over 80 films in various languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, and Hindi. He was particularly known for his roles as villains and character actors, and won several awards for his performances.
Aside from his work in the entertainment industry, Narendra Prasad was also a respected literary critic and author. He wrote several books on Malayalam literature and culture, and was known for his sharp and insightful commentary.
Narendra Prasad passed away in 2003 at the age of 56, leaving behind a legacy as one of Kerala's most talented and versatile cultural figures.
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P. Vasu (September 15, 1954 Kerala-February 21, 2011) also known as Vasudevan Peethambharam or Vasudevan Peethambaram was an Indian film director, screenwriter, actor, writer and film producer. His children are Shakthi Vasudevan and Abhirami Vasu.
P. Vasu began his career in the film industry in the early 1970s as an actor, appearing in supporting roles in films such as "Malayoor Mambattiyan" and "Attukara Alamelu". However, he found greater success as a director, with his debut film "Panneer Pushpangal" in 1981. He went on to direct several successful films in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada languages, including "Chinna Thambi", "Walter Vetrivel", and "Chandramukhi".
One of P. Vasu's most notable works was the Tamil film "Chandramukhi", which was released in 2005. The film, which starred Rajinikanth and Jyothika, was a massive commercial success and was later dubbed in several other languages. P. Vasu also directed the Kannada version of the film, titled "Apthamitra", which was also a commercial success.
Aside from directing, P. Vasu was also a prolific screenwriter and wrote the scripts for many of his own films. He won several awards throughout his career, including three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and a Filmfare Award for Best Director (Tamil).
P. Vasu passed away in 2011 at the age of 56 due to a heart attack. Despite his untimely death, his legacy in the film industry lives on, with many of his films still beloved by audiences today.
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S. V. Ranga Rao (July 3, 1918 Nuzvid-July 18, 1974 Chennai) a.k.a. S.V.Ranga Rao, Samrla Venkata Ranga Rao, Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao, Viswa Nata Chakravarthi, S.V.R, Rao, SVR, Viswanata Chakravarthi, Viswa Nata Chakravarti, Nata Sarvabhouma, Nata Sekhara, Nata Simha or S.V. Ranga Rao was an Indian actor, film director and film producer. His children are Vijaya Rao, Samarla Koteswara Rao and Prameela Rao.
He died as a result of heart failure.
S.V. Ranga Rao was a prominent and highly respected figure in the Telugu film industry. He started his career as a theatre artist and gradually transitioned to films. He was not only an actor but also an accomplished director and producer. He acted in over 300 films in a career spanning almost three decades.
Some of his notable performances include his roles in films like "Mayabazar", "Missamma", "Pathala Bhairavi", "Nartanasala", "Mooga Manasulu" and "Chadarangam". He received numerous awards for his outstanding performances, including the prestigious Padma Shri award in 1965.
Apart from acting, S.V. Ranga Rao was also a philanthropist and a social worker. He was actively involved in various charitable activities and supported many social causes. He was a true legend of the Indian film industry and his contribution to Telugu cinema will always be remembered.
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M. G. Soman (October 28, 1941 Tiruvalla-December 12, 1997 Kerala) otherwise known as M.G.Somashekharan Nair, Somashekharan Nair or Soman was an Indian actor, soldier and film producer. He had two children, Saji Somashekharan and Sindhu Somashekharan.
He died as a result of jaundice.
Soman started his career in the Indian army where he served for nine years before venturing into the film industry. He debuted in the Malayalam film industry in the year 1970 with the movie "Ottakayyan". Soman acted in over 300 films spanning across five languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi. He was known for his portrayal of strong and heroic characters in movies. Some of his notable films include "Padayottam," "Aram + Aram = Kinnaram", "Panchagni," "Uyarangalil," "Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha," and many more. Soman also produced a few films under the banner of Masima Films. He was honored with the prestigious Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 1972 for his performance in the movie "Ugranaratha." Soman's contribution to the Indian film industry will always be remembered.
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Hara Patnaik (October 12, 1958 Cuttack-January 13, 2015) a.k.a. Hara Pattanaik or Hara Pattanayak was an Indian screenwriter, film director, actor, singer, writer, film producer and film editor.
He died as a result of cancer.
Hara Patnaik was a prominent figure in the Odia film industry, popularly known as Ollywood. He started his career in the industry in the early 1980s and went on to work on more than 60 films as a director, writer and producer. Some of his notable works include "Jibana Mrutyu", "Sindura Bindu", "Suna Chadhei", "Sahari Bagha", "Suna Harini", "Sakhi Rahila Ae Singha Duara" and "Nai Separi Kanaka Gori".
Apart from his contributions to the film industry, Hara Patnaik was also a well-known writer and has authored several books in Odia language. He was also a talented singer and had lent his voice to a number of film songs.
Hara Patnaik was a versatile artist who had made a significant impact on the Odia film industry, and his contributions are still remembered by the industry and his fans.
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Amanchi Venkata Subrahmanyam (January 2, 1957 Tenali-November 8, 2013 Manikonda) a.k.a. A.V.S. Subramanyam, A.V.S. or AVS was an Indian actor, comedian, journalist, film producer and film director.
He died in liver failure.
AVS made his acting debut with the Telugu film 'Jandhyala Rasina Prema Katha' in 1987. He went on to act in more than 500 films in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi languages. He was known for his comic timing and his ability to deliver punch dialogues. He won the Nandi Award for Best Male Comedian three times and also received the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Telugu for the film 'Nuvvu Naaku Nachav'.
Aside from acting, AVS was also actively involved in journalism and produced and directed several films. He started his career as a journalist with the daily newspaper Andhra Prabha in 1983 and later worked with other publications like Eenadu, Udayam, and Andhra Bhoomi. He produced and directed several films, including 'Aame', 'Gemeni', and 'Kalusukovalani'.
AVS was married to Siva Kumari and had two sons. He was considered one of the most loved and respected actors in the Telugu film industry and was fondly nicknamed 'Bommarillu' AVS after his popular character in the film 'Bommarillu'. His unexpected demise was deeply mourned by his fans and colleagues in the film industry.
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Chilakalapudi Seeta Rama Anjaneyulu (July 11, 1907 Narasaraopet-October 8, 1963 Chennai) a.k.a. Chilakalpudi Seeta Anjaneyulu, CSR, C. S. R. Anjaneyulu or Chilakalpud Seeta Rama Anjaneyulu was an Indian actor.
He died as a result of natural causes.
Anjaneyulu began his career as a stage actor and later moved on to acting in Telugu films. He acted in more than 200 films during his career in the Telugu film industry. He was known for his versatility and ability to portray a wide range of characters. Anjaneyulu was also a prolific writer and wrote several plays and stories. He was honored with the Nandi Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film "Peda Rayudu" in 1955. Anjaneyulu was also a member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council from 1958 to 1962. His contributions to Telugu theater and cinema are remembered to this day.
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E.J. Kanam (June 13, 1926 Kottayam-June 13, 1982) also known as Kanam, Kanam EJ, Elavunkal Joseph Philip or Philip was an Indian actor and writer.
He was a prominent figure in the Malayalam film industry, having acted in over 150 films in a career spanning nearly three decades. Kanam was known for his versatile acting skills and was highly respected for his contribution to the industry through his writing and film criticism. He also served as the General Secretary of the Kochi-based Kairali Film Society for many years. Kanam was the recipient of numerous awards and accolades for his work, including the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor in 1972 for his performance in the film "Swayamvaram". Despite his success, Kanam maintained a low profile and lived a simple life until his untimely death on his 56th birthday.
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T. R. Sundaram (July 16, 1907 Coimbatore-August 30, 1963 Chennai) also known as T.P. Sundaram, Tiruchengodu Ramalingam Sundaram, Sundaram, Tiruchengodu Ramalinga Sundaram, T.R. Sundharam, T.R. Sundaram or T R Sundaram was an Indian film director, film producer and actor.
He was a prominent figure in the Tamil film industry during the 1940s and 1950s, and was known for his contributions towards the growth of the industry. Sundaram began his career in the film industry as an actor, making his debut in the film "Valli Thirumanam" in 1935. He went on to act in several films including "Thyaga Bhoomi" and "Madurai Veeran", before eventually becoming a director.
Sundaram directed several successful films, including "Chandralekha" (1948), which was one of the biggest hits in the history of Tamil cinema. He also produced many films, including "Veera" (1948) and "Paava Mannippu" (1961).
Sundaram was known for his innovative approach to filmmaking and was one of the pioneers of the "song and dance" genre of films in Tamil cinema. He was also a well-respected mentor and several of his protégés, including director K. Balachander and actor Sivaji Ganesan, went on to become major figures in the industry.
Sundaram passed away on August 30, 1963, at the age of 56. He is remembered as a pioneering figure in Tamil cinema and one of the most important contributors to the growth of the industry.
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Agha Hashar Kashmiri (April 3, 1879 Amritsar-April 28, 1935 Lahore) also known as Agha Hashr Kashmiri was an Indian playwright, screenwriter, actor and film director.
He was a pioneer in the Urdu language theater in South Asia and his contributions to the Pakistani and Indian entertainment industry are remarkable. Some of his famous plays include "Aftab-e-Muhabbat," "Sita Banbas," "Sar-e-Rah," and "Sita Haran." He was notably known for his ability to write plays that had social relevance and depicted the struggles of the common man. In addition to his playwriting, he also worked in Bollywood as a screenwriter and director in the early 1930s. Despite being a renowned figure in South Asian theater, he faced financial difficulties and died in relative obscurity. Nevertheless, his legacy continues to live on and his plays are still performed to this day.
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