Here are 14 famous actors from India died at 72:
N. T. Rama Rao (May 28, 1923 Nimmakuru-January 18, 1996 Hyderabad) also known as NTR, Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, Taraka Rama Rao Nandamuri, N.T. Ramarao, NT Rama Rao, N.T. Rama Rao, Rama Rao Taraka Nandamuri, Annagaru or Viswa Vikhyatha Nata Sarvabhouma was an Indian politician, film director, actor, film producer and writer. His children are Pendyala Harikrishna, Nandamuri Harikrishna, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Daggubati Purandeswari, Nandamuri Saikrishna, Nandamuri Jayakrishna, Nandamuri Mohanakrishna, Nara Bhuvaneshwari, Garapati Lokeswari, Jayashankarakrishna, Nandamuri Ramakrishna Sr., Kantamaneni Uma Maheswari, Nandamuri Ramakrishna Jr. and Koteshwara Prasad.
He died as a result of myocardial infarction.
N. T. Rama Rao was born in Nimmakuru, a small village in Andhra Pradesh, India. He started his career as a sub-registrar at the age of 20 and later joined the Madras Service Commission as a sub-registrar. However, his passion for acting and writing drew him towards the film industry. He made his debut as an actor in the Telugu film Mana Desam in 1949 and went on to act in over 300 films in his career spanning five decades.
N. T. Rama Rao was not only a popular actor but also a successful producer and director. He founded the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982, with the aim of being the voice of the Telugu-speaking people in the Indian political scenario. He served as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for three terms between 1983 and 1995.
As an actor, he was known for his versatile performances and his ability to portray a wide range of characters. Some of his most famous films include Pathala Bhairavi, Mayabazar, Gundamma Katha, and Adavi Ramudu. He also wrote and produced a number of films, including Narthanasala and Dana Veera Soora Karna.
N. T. Rama Rao was widely regarded as a cultural icon in the state of Andhra Pradesh and is considered one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema. His legacy continues to inspire generations of actors and filmmakers in the Telugu film industry.
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Amrish Puri (June 22, 1932 Lahore-January 12, 2005 Mumbai) a.k.a. Amrish Lal Puri, Amrish Singh Puri, Mogambo, Mola Ram or Amrish Lal Singh Puri was an Indian actor, voice actor and playback singer. He had two children, Rajiv Puri and Namrata Puri.
He died in cerebral hemorrhage.
Amrish Puri was well-known for his roles in Bollywood movies such as "Mr. India," "Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge," and "Nayak." He also acted in Hollywood movies like "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," "Gandhi," and "The Ghost and the Darkness." Puri's deep voice and imposing screen presence made him one of the most formidable villains in Indian cinema. He received many awards and recognitions for his work, including the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his role in "Mr. India." Puri was also a renowned theater actor and co-founded the theatre group, "Ankush." After his death, the Indian film industry and his fans mourned the loss of one of the greatest actors of all time.
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Sivaji Ganesan (October 1, 1928 Viluppuram-July 21, 2001 Chennai) a.k.a. Nadigar Thilagam, Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar, Padmashri Shivaji Ganesan, Shivaji Ganasan, Shivaji Ganeshan, Shivaji Ganesan, Sivaji, Villupuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan, Thilagam Nadigar, Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillah Ganesan, Villuppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan, The Marlon Brando of South Indian Cinema or Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan was an Indian actor, politician, entrepreneur and film producer. His children are called Ramkumar Ganesan, Prabhu, Thenmozhi Ganesan and Shanthi Ganesan.
He died caused by cardiovascular disease.
Sivaji Ganesan was one of the most prominent and respected figures in the Tamil film industry. He made his acting debut in the film Parasakthi (1952) which catapulted him to stardom. He went on to star in over 300 films in his career spanning 5 decades.
Apart from acting, Sivaji Ganesan was also actively involved in politics. He served as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament, and was also involved in philanthropic activities. He founded the Sivaji Ganesan Charitable Trust, which provides assistance to underprivileged children and the elderly.
Sivaji Ganesan's contribution to Indian cinema was immense, and he was rightfully hailed as one of the greatest actors of all time. He was known for his versatility, his effortless portrayal of emotional scenes, and his ability to bring depth and nuance to his characters. He was honored with numerous awards and accolades, including the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award in India, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest award in Indian cinema.
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B. V. Karanth (September 19, 1929 Manchi-September 1, 2002 Bangalore) otherwise known as Babukodi Venkatramana Karanth, BV Karanth or Babukodi Venkataramana Karanth was an Indian film score composer, film director, actor, musician and screenwriter.
Born in the small village of Manchi in Karnataka, Karanth was passionate about theatre and music from a young age. He moved to Mumbai in the 1940s to pursue a career in theatre and worked with renowned theatre personalities such as Ebrahim Alkazi and Satyadev Dubey. He was also associated with the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) and worked as a music composer for many of their productions.
In the 1960s, Karanth shifted his focus to cinema and directed his first film, Vamsha Vruksha, in 1972. He went on to direct and score music for several acclaimed Kannada films such as Chomana Dudi, Kanooru Heggadithi and Ghatashraddha. His films were known for their realistic portrayal of rural life and explored themes of caste, class and gender.
Apart from his work in cinema, Karanth was also a respected theatre personality and directed plays in various languages including Kannada, Hindi and Marathi. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan for his contribution to the field of arts.
Karanth passed away in 2002 at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy of influential work that continues to inspire generations of filmmakers and artists.
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M. R. Radha (April 14, 1907 Chennai-September 17, 1979 Tiruchirappalli) a.k.a. Nadiga vel, Madras Rajagopala Radhakrishnan Naidu, Mohan Rajagopala Radhakrishnan Naidu, Radha or Nadigavel was an Indian actor. He had twelve children, Radha Ravi, Rathe Radha, M. R. R. Vasu Radha, Rashia Radha, Nirosha Radha, Ganavalli, Kasturi, Raju, Radhika Sarathkumar, Sampathrani, Selvarani and Rajeswari.
He died in jaundice.
M. R. Radha was a versatile actor who had a career spanning over three decades, from the 1930s to the 1970s. He appeared in over 200 films, mostly in Tamil cinema, but also in Telugu and Hindi films. He was one of the pioneers of modern Tamil drama and was known for his role as a villain, often playing the antagonist in films.
Aside from his acting career, Radha was also a playwright, director, and producer. He founded the drama troupe "Nadikavel Theatrical Company" in 1949 and produced several successful plays. Radha was also a social activist and participated in the Indian independence movement.
Radha's legacy is continued by his son Radha Ravi, who is also a successful actor in the Tamil film industry. Radha's granddaughter Varalaxmi Sarathkumar is also an actress in the industry.
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Mac Mohan (April 24, 1938 Karachi-May 10, 2010 Andheri) also known as Mohan Makijany, Mackmohan, Macmohan, Mc. Mohan, Brij Mohan, Mac, Mack Mohan, Mac.Mohan, Mohan Makhijaney or Makijany Mohan was an Indian actor. He had three children, Manjari Makijany, Vinati Makijany and Vikrant Makijany.
He died caused by lung cancer.
Mac Mohan was a prolific Bollywood actor who had an illustrious career spanning over four decades. He started his career as a character actor and went on to become a popular villain in Hindi cinema. He appeared in over 200 films, showcasing his versatility as an actor by playing a wide range of roles, including supporting characters and comedians.
One of his most memorable roles was the character of Sambha in the blockbuster film Sholay, which made him a household name in India. Mac Mohan was known for his distinct voice and striking appearance, which made him stand out in any role he played. Some of his other notable films include Zanjeer, Karz, Don, and Satte Pe Satta.
Apart from acting, Mac Mohan was also actively involved in social work and served as a committee member of the Cine and TV Artists Association (CINTAA). He was also a member of the Indian Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA).
Mac Mohan was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009 and passed away on May 10, 2010, at the age of 72. His contribution to Indian cinema is remembered even today, and his legacy continues to inspire many young actors.
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Debaki Bose (November 25, 1898 Bardhaman-November 17, 1971 Kolkata) also known as Debaki Kumar Bose, Debaki Kumar Basu or Debaki Basu was an Indian film director, screenwriter, actor and writer.
He is considered a pioneer in the Indian film industry, having directed and produced several acclaimed films in both Bengali and Hindi languages. He started his career in the film industry in the 1920s as a sound engineer and later went on to direct his first film "Pasher Bari" in 1928. Some of his notable films include "Chandidas", "Kismet", "Mayer Manzil", "Ramer Sumati" and "Sagar Sangamey". Apart from films, Debaki Bose was also known for his contributions to the world of theatre and literature. He was a prolific writer and authored several books on film, music, and culture. He was posthumously awarded the Padma Shri award in 1972 for his contributions to Indian cinema.
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Pankaj Mullick (May 10, 1905 Kolkata-February 19, 1978 Kolkata) a.k.a. Pankaj Kumar Mullick or Shri Pankaj Kumar Mullick was an Indian singer, actor and film score composer.
He is considered one of the pioneers of Indian film music and is credited with introducing the use of classical music in the Hindi film industry. Starting his career in the 1930s, Mullick went on to compose music for over 100 films in several languages including Bengali, Hindi, and Tamil.
Apart from his work in film music, Mullick was also a renowned singer and was trained in classical music under stalwarts like Ustad Faiyaz Khan and Ustad Abdul Karim Khan. He had a distinctive voice and style of singing that endeared him to audiences across the country.
In addition to his work in music, Mullick was also a respected actor, having appeared in several Bengali films. He was also involved in the Indian independence movement and composed patriotic songs that became anthems during the struggle for freedom.
Today, Pankaj Mullick is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of Indian film music, and his contributions to the field have been recognized with several awards and honors.
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Dhumal (March 29, 1914-February 13, 1987) also known as Dhoomal was an Indian actor.
He was born in Lahore, now in Pakistan, and began his acting career in the early 1930s in Lahore. He later moved to Mumbai, where he appeared in several Bollywood films. Dhumal was known for his comic roles and his ability to make audiences laugh with his unique brand of humor. Some of his notable films include Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Padosan, and Sholay. Dhumal was a popular character actor and worked in over 500 films throughout his career. He passed away in 1987 at the age of 72.
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M. P. Shankar (August 20, 1935 Mysore-July 17, 2008 Mysore) a.k.a. ಮ್. ಪ. ಶಂಕರ್ was an Indian actor, film producer, film director and screenwriter. He had two children, Shobha Shankar and Tilak Shankar.
He died in bone cancer.
Throughout his career, M. P. Shankar acted in over 100 films in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam languages. He made his acting debut in the 1957 Kannada film "Bedara Kannappa." He was known for his villain roles and worked alongside legendary actors like Dr. Rajkumar, MGR, and Sivaji Ganesan.
Aside from acting, he also produced and directed films. He produced the classic Kannada film "Mangalya" in 1976, which won numerous awards. He also directed films such as "Kanyakumari," "Paduvaaralli Pandavaru," and "Raja Nanna Raja."
M. P. Shankar was a respected figure in the film industry and was fondly called "MPS" by his colleagues. His contribution to Indian cinema will always be remembered.
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Basanta Choudhury (May 5, 1928 Nagpur-June 20, 2000 Kolkata) a.k.a. Vasant Choudhury, Vasant Choudhary, Vasant Chowdhury, Basanta Chowdhury or Basant Choudhury was an Indian actor and sheriff.
He started his acting career in 1949 with the film "Dhartimata". He appeared in almost 300 films in various languages including Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Some of his memorable roles include "Chowringhee", "Dadar Kirti", and "Chhinnapatra". He was also actively involved in politics and served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in West Bengal. Choudhury was appointed the Sheriff of Kolkata in 1991. He was honored with several awards during his career including the BFJA Awards and the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the film "Shahar Theke Dure". He passed away in 2000 due to a heart attack at the age of 72.
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Kamu Mukherjee (June 14, 1931-December 6, 2003) also known as Shri Kamu Mukherjee, Kamu Mukherji or Kamu Mukhopadhyay was an Indian actor.
He started his acting career in 1955 with the Bengali film "Paribartan" and went on to act in over 200 films in his career spanning five decades. Some of his notable films include "Arogya Niketan", "Nishi Padma", "Bhagini Nivedita", "Bhagya Chakra" and "Sonar Harin". Mukherjee was known for his versatility as an actor and could effortlessly portray both comic and serious roles. In addition to his film work, he was also a respected theater actor and director. Mukherjee was honored with several awards throughout his career, including the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in "Bhagini Nivedita".
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Gulshan Kumar Mehta (April 12, 1937 Sheikhupura-August 7, 2009 Mumbai) also known as Gulshan Bawara, Bawra, Gulshan, Gulshan Mehta, Gulshan Banwra, Gulshan or Gulshan Bawra was an Indian actor and lyricist.
He died in heart failure.
Gulshan Kumar Mehta started his career as a lyricist in the 1960s and has written songs for several Bollywood movies. He is best known for his work in the films "Yaadon Ki Baaraat" and "Sholay", for which he wrote the iconic song "Yeh Dosti". He also worked as an actor in a few films, including "Yaarana" and "Henna". Apart from Hindi films, he also wrote songs for Punjabi and Gujarati films. Gulshan Kumar Mehta won the Filmfare Best Lyricist Award for the song "Yaar Bina Chain Kahan Re" from the movie "Saaheb" in 1986. He contributed immensely to Bollywood's golden era of music and his work is still remembered and celebrated today.
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Kalamandalam Kesavan (May 18, 1936 Palakkad-April 25, 2009 Kochi) was an Indian actor.
Kalamandalam Kesavan was primarily known for his contributions to the traditional art forms of Kerala, especially Kathakali. He received extensive training in the art form from the Kalamandalam institute in Kerala, and became a renowned performer and teacher. He was also known for his work in cinema, having appeared in several Malayalam movies. In recognition of his contributions to the arts, Kesavan was honored with numerous awards, including the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award in 1975. Throughout his career, he remained passionately committed to preserving and promoting traditional art forms, and inspired countless others to follow in his footsteps.
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