Indian movie stars died in 2003
Here are 18 famous actors from India died in 2003:
Johnny Walker
Johnny Walker (November 11, 1926 Indore-July 29, 2003 Mumbai) also known as Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi, Johnny Walkar, Jhony Walkar, Johny Walker, Jhonny Walker or Johnny Walker Agha was an Indian actor. His children are called Tasneem Kazi, Kazim Kazi, Nasir Khan, Firdaus Kazi, Kausar Kazi and Nazim Kazi.
Johnny Walker was born as Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi in Indore, India in 1926. He initially worked as a bus conductor before venturing into acting. He began his acting career in the early 1950s and went on to become one of the most popular comedians of his time, known for his impeccable timing, deadpan expressions and distinct style of dialogue delivery.
Johnny Walker appeared in over 300 films, including notable performances in films like "CID", "Mere Mehboob", "Madhumati", "Pyaasa" and "Chachi 420". He won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor award for his role in "Madhumati" in 1959.
Aside from his acting career, Johnny Walker was also a philanthropist and was actively involved in social causes. He was particularly committed to helping underprivileged children and founded the Johnny Walker Memorial Trust in their service.
Johnny Walker passed away on July 29, 2003 in Mumbai, India. He will always be remembered as one of the finest actors in Indian cinema, and for his contribution to the field of Indian comedy.
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G. V. Iyer
G. V. Iyer (September 3, 1917 Nanjangud-December 21, 2003 Mumbai) also known as Ganapathy Venkataramana Iyer, Kannada Bheeshma, Barefoot Director, The Barefoot Director or Ganapathi Venkatrama Iyer was an Indian actor, film director, screenwriter and film producer.
G.V. Iyer is best known for his contribution to Kannada cinema and is considered to be one of the pioneers of parallel cinema in India. He began his career as a lawyer before getting into the film industry. He directed over 20 films in his career, most of which were in Kannada. His films were known for their social commentary and humanistic themes. Iyer also dabbled in acting and appeared in several films, including Satyajit Ray's "Shatranj Ke Khiladi" (1977). He was a recipient of several awards, including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, which are among the highest civilian honours in India. He was also awarded the National Film Award for Best Direction in 1976 for his film "Vamsha Vriksha".
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Narendra Prasad
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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Bhisham Sahni
Bhisham Sahni (August 8, 1915 Rawalpindi-July 11, 2003 Delhi) a.k.a. Bhisham Sahani was an Indian writer, playwright, author and actor.
He was best known for his works in Hindi literature, particularly his novels and plays that portrayed the social and political issues faced by the common people of India. Sahni was born in Rawalpindi, which is now in Pakistan, and he later migrated to India during the Partition.
He began his career as a teacher but soon turned to writing and acting. Apart from being a prolific writer, Sahni was also a noted actor and appeared in several plays and movies. Some of his notable works include the novel Tamas and the plays Kabira Khada Bazaar Mein and Aaj Ke Naam.
Sahni received numerous accolades for his contribution to Indian literature, including the Padma Bhushan and the Sahitya Akademi Award. He was also awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to Hindi literature in 1998. Bhisham Sahni passed away in Delhi in 2003, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire writers and readers to this day.
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Jankidas Mehra
Jankidas Mehra (November 27, 2014 Lahore-June 18, 2003 Juhu) also known as Janki Das, Jankidass, Janki Dass, Janki-Das, Salmah Jankidas or Jankidas was an Indian actor, athlete, author, production designer and writer.
He started his career as an athlete and later shifted his focus to acting. He acted in over 250 films in his career spanning several decades. Some of his notable films include Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Padosan, Mere Sanam and Brahmachari. Apart from acting, Jankidas also worked as a production designer and writer for several films. He wrote the screenplay for the film Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong. He also authored the book "Hum Kahin Aap Kahin" which was a collection of his memoirs. Jankidas was known for his versatility as an actor and his contribution to the Indian film industry. He passed away in 2003 at the age of 88.
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B. C. Sanyal
B. C. Sanyal (April 22, 1901 Dhubri-August 9, 2003 New Delhi) also known as Bhabesh Chandra Sanyal was an Indian actor, art teacher, painter and sculpture. He had one child, Amba Sanyal.
Sanyal was born in Dhubri, Assam and completed his education in Kolkata. He was a student of Nandlal Bose at the Government College of Art and Crafts in Kolkata. Sanyal joined the faculty at the same college after completing his studies and went on to become one of the most respected art teachers in India. He also played an important role in the development of the Indian Society of Oriental Art.
Apart from his artistic pursuits, Sanyal was also a noted actor in Bengali and Hindi cinema. He made his film debut in 1930 with the Bengali film Chasher Meye and went on to act in over 40 films in a career spanning several decades. He worked with notable directors such as Satyajit Ray and Bimal Roy and acted in films like Jalsaghar (1958) and Do Bigha Zamin (1953).
Sanyal's contribution to Indian art and culture was recognized with several prestigious awards including the Padma Bhushan in 1970 and the Padma Shri in 1961. He passed away in New Delhi in 2003 at the age of 102.
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Marc Zuber
Marc Zuber (May 5, 1944 Lucknow-May 28, 2003 London) a.k.a. Mark Zuber was an Indian actor.
He was best known for his work in Hindi and English films and television shows, often playing supporting or villainous roles. He began his career in the late 1960s with the film "Chanda Aur Bijli" and went on to act in over 50 films, including "Don," "Namak Haraam," and "Dhund." Zuber was also a prominent figure in the English theatre scene in India, and was a founding member of the British theatre company Tara Arts. After migrating to England in the late 1980s, he continued his acting career in British films and television shows such as "The Bill" and "EastEnders." Zuber was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri award in 2002 for his contributions to Indian theatre and cinema. He passed away in London in 2003 at the age of 59.
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Major Sundarrajan
Major Sundarrajan (March 1, 1935 Periyakulam-March 1, 2003 Chennai) also known as Major Sundararajan, Sunderrajan, Major Sundarrajan, 'Major' Sundarrajan, Sundarrajan or 'मेजर' सुन्द्रराजन was an Indian actor, film director and screenwriter.
He predominantly worked in Tamil cinema and appeared in over 400 films in a career spanning four decades. He started his acting career in the 1950s and initially played minor roles. However, he soon established himself as a versatile character actor and went on to play supporting roles in several hit films of the 1960s and 1970s.
Apart from acting, Major Sundarrajan also directed and wrote scripts for films. He made his directorial debut with the film "Galatta Kalyanam" in 1968 and subsequently directed several more films. He was also a prolific writer and wrote screenplays for several successful films.
Major Sundarrajan was known for his commanding screen presence and his ability to portray a wide range of characters with ease. He was particularly noted for his character roles in films like "Paalum Pazhamum", "Thiruvilaiyadal", "En Annan", and "Avargal". He was also a popular television host and appeared in several television shows in the 1990s.
Despite his successful career in films, Major Sundarrajan was known for his simplicity and his dedication to his craft. He passed away in 2003, leaving behind a rich legacy in Tamil cinema.
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Samit Bhanja
Samit Bhanja (January 2, 1944 Jamshedpur-July 24, 2003 Kolkata) also known as Shamit Bhanja, Samit Bhuiyan or Samit was an Indian actor.
He predominantly worked in Bengali cinema and was known for his performances in films like Chowringhee, Kalankini Kankabati, and Nishipadma.
Bhanja started his acting career with the film Balika Badhu in 1967 and quickly made a name for himself in the Bengali film industry. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his portrayal in the film Apanjan in 1968.
Apart from acting, Bhanja was also a successful businessman and ran his own company called Samit Motors. He was actively involved in social work and was a member of the Rotary Club.
Bhanja was married to Bengali actress, Arundhati Devi, and they had two children together. He passed away at the age of 59 due to a heart attack in Kolkata.
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Ajit Vachani
Ajit Vachani (November 27, 2014-August 25, 2003 Mumbai) a.k.a. Ajit Vachanni, Ajit Vacchani, Ajeet Vachani, Ajit Vachchani, Ajit Vachhani, Ajeet Vachchani or Ajit Vachchhani was an Indian actor.
Ajit Vachani appeared in over 100 Bollywood films throughout his career, primarily in supporting and character roles. He was known for his performances in films such as "Bunty Aur Babli", "Kachche Dhaage", "Haseena Maan Jayegi", "Karan Arjun", and "Yeh Dillagi". In addition to his work in films, he also acted in several popular television shows including "Buniyaad" and "Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi". Ajit Vachani's versatile acting skills and ability to bring depth to even the smallest of roles earned him a loyal fan base throughout his career. He passed away in 2003 at the age of 59 due to a heart attack.
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Surjit Bindrakhia
Surjit Bindrakhia (April 15, 1962 Rupnagar-November 17, 2003 Ajitgarh district) also known as Surjit Bhindrakia, Surjeet Bindrakhiya, Surjeet Bindrakhia or Surjit Singh Bains was an Indian actor. He had two children, Gitaz Bindrakhia and Minaz Bindrakhia.
Surjit Bindrakhia was a Punjabi singer known for his popular songs in the Bhangra genre. He started his career as a singer in the 1980s and rose to fame with hits such as "Tera Yaar Bolda", "Jatt Di Pasand", and "Dupatta Tera Satrang Da". He was known for his powerful voice and energetic performances on stage.
Bindrakhia was born in the Rupnagar district of Punjab and was the youngest of six siblings. He started singing at an early age and trained under his uncle, the Punjabi folk singer, Surinder Shinda. Bindrakhia's first album, "Boliyan", was released in 1980 and he went on to release over 30 albums in his career.
Besides his music career, Bindrakhia also acted in a Punjabi film, "Mamla Gadbad Hai". He won the Best Singer award at the 1997 Punjab State Film Awards for the film's soundtrack.
Bindrakhia's life was tragically cut short at the age of 41 when he passed away due to complications from jaundice. He continues to be remembered as a legendary figure in Punjabi music and his music continues to be popular among fans of the genre.
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Ram Gopal
Ram Gopal (November 20, 1912 Bangalore-October 12, 2003 Croydon) also known as Bissano Ram Gopal was an Indian actor, choreographer, dancer and writer.
He was widely considered as one of the pioneers of modern Indian dance, and his contributions to Indian classical and contemporary dance were invaluable. Ram Gopal began dancing at a young age and was trained in various forms of dance such as Kathak, Bharatanatyam, and Manipuri. He performed on several international platforms and earned recognition as one of the most talented dancers of his time. In addition to his dancing skills, Ram Gopal also acted in a number of movies both in India and abroad. He was also an accomplished writer and authored two books, "My Years with the Indian Ballet" and "The Role of Dance in Indian Culture". Ram Gopal was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India, for his contributions to the arts.
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Gangadhar
Gangadhar (November 27, 2014-December 27, 2003 Bangalore) was an Indian actor.
He predominantly worked in Kannada cinema and was popularly known as "Karnataka Kesari" (Lion of Karnataka). Gangadhar's acting career spanned over four decades, during which he appeared in more than 200 films in lead and supporting roles. He was known for his versatile acting skills and his ability to portray a range of characters convincingly. Apart from acting, Gangadhar was also an accomplished singer and has sung some popular film songs. He was a recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to Kannada cinema, including the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor. Gangadhar passed away in 2003, leaving behind a rich legacy in Kannada cinema.
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Kamu Mukherjee
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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K. P. A. C. Azeez
K. P. A. C. Azeez (November 27, 2014 Vembayam-July 16, 2003) a.k.a. Aziz, K. P. A. C. Azeez or Azeez was an Indian actor. He had three children, Naseema Azeez, A M Raja Azeez and Nazeera Azeez.
Azeez was a prominent figure in the Malayalam film industry and was known for his brilliant performances on stage as well. He started his career in the entertainment industry as a theatre artist and appeared in several plays across Kerala. He later transitioned to films and made his debut with the movie "Nammal Thammil" in 1958.
Azeez went on to act in over 100 movies during his career spanning more than four decades. Some of his notable performances include "Chemmeen", "Nadhi", "Kanakakkunnu", "Odayil Ninnu", "Achani" and "Anubhavangal Paalichakal". He was a versatile actor and was known for his ability to portray both serious and comic roles with equal ease.
Apart from his acting career, Azeez was also actively involved in social and political activities. He was a member of the Communist Party of India and was known for his outspoken views on various social and political issues. He was a respected figure in the Malayalam film industry and his contributions to the field continue to be remembered to this day.
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Anil Biswas
Anil Biswas (July 7, 1914 Barisal-May 31, 2003 New Delhi) also known as Biswas, Anil or Anil Krishna Biswas was an Indian playback singer, film score composer and actor. He had five children, Utpal Biswas, Amar Biswas, Shikha Vohra, Pradeep Biswas and Amit Biswas.
Anil Biswas was one of the pioneers of Indian film music, particularly in the context of Hindi cinema. He started his career as a singer in the early 1930s in Kolkata (then Calcutta), where he formed a close association with the legendary poet and composer, Kazi Nazrul Islam. It was Nazrul who gave Biswas his first break as a music composer in the film "Doctor (1941)".
Biswas went on to compose music for more than a hundred films in a career spanning over five decades. He was known for his ability to seamlessly blend Indian classical music with modern orchestration. Some of his most popular songs include 'Ae mere watan ke logon', 'Yeh kaun aaya', and 'Mere piya gaye Rangoon'.
In addition to his work in the film industry, Anil Biswas was also associated with All India Radio (AIR) and was instrumental in shaping the careers of many prominent musicians, including Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. He was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1971 for his contributions to music.
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L.P.R. Varma
L.P.R. Varma (February 17, 1926 Puzhavathu-July 6, 2003) a.k.a. Lakshmipuram Palace Pooram Thirunal Ravi Varma was an Indian poet, lyricist, music director, classical vocalist, actor, playback singer, screenwriter and musician.
Varma was born in Puzhavathu, a small village in southern India, and was deeply interested in music from a young age. He began his career as a music director and worked on several films in the 1950s and 60s, including the classic Tamil film "Naam Iruvar" and the Malayalam film "Neecha Nagar".
Aside from his work in the film industry, Varma was a prolific lyricist and poet, and his works were published in various literary magazines and newspapers. He also had a successful career as a classical vocalist and performed at several concerts throughout his life.
Varma was a multi-talented artist who made significant contributions to Indian cinema and music. He received many accolades for his work, including the Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director for his contributions to the film "Panchavadi Palam". He passed away in 2003 at the age of 77, but his legacy as a multifaceted artist continues to inspire new generations.
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Virendra Razdan
Virendra Razdan (November 27, 2014-June 13, 2003 Mumbai) was an Indian actor.
He was known for his roles in Bollywood films such as "Bawandar," "Black Friday," and "Firaaq." Razdan began his acting career in the 1970s and continued to act in films and television shows until his death in 2003. In addition to his acting career, he was also a prominent theatre actor and director, and was involved in the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) for many years. Razdan was known for his versatile acting skills and his ability to bring depth and nuance to his performances. He was posthumously awarded the Best Supporting Actor award at the 51st National Film Awards for his role in "Firaaq."
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