Here are 13 famous actresses from India died before 35:
Soundarya (July 18, 1972 Mulbagal-April 17, 2004 Bangalore) also known as Sowmya, Saundarya, Soumya or Soundarya Sandeep was an Indian actor and film producer.
She died as a result of aviation accident or incident.
Soundarya started her acting career in 1992 with the film "Gandharvam" opposite Mohanlal. She went on to work in over 100 films in various languages including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. Some of her notable films include Ammoru, Arunachalam, Narasimha, and Dweepa. She was also a successful film producer and has produced films like Soori and Aasan. In addition to her acting and producing career, Soundarya was actively involved in various social causes and was the brand ambassador for the Government of India's literacy program. Despite her sudden and tragic death, Soundarya left a lasting impact on the Indian film industry and remains a beloved figure in South Indian cinema.
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Smita Patil (October 17, 1955 Pune-December 13, 1986 Mumbai) a.k.a. Smita, Late Smita Patil or Smitha Patil was an Indian actor and newscaster. She had one child, Prateik Babbar.
She died caused by childbirth.
Smita Patil was one of the leading actresses of the Indian parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and the 1980s. She was known for her strong and nuanced portrayals of complex characters and her ability to bring realism to her performances. She worked with some of the most prominent filmmakers of her time, including Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani, and Mrinal Sen.
Patil began her career in theatre, where she trained under renowned directors such as Satyadev Dubey and Girish Karnad. She made her film debut in 1974 with the Marathi film 'Mala Solapurchi', and went on to act in over 80 films in Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Some of her notable performances include 'Bhumika' (1977), 'Manthan' (1976), 'Chakra' (1981), and 'Aakrosh' (1980) for which she won the National Film Award for Best Actress.
Apart from her acting career, Patil was also a newscaster for Doordarshan, the national broadcaster of India. She was actively involved in social and political causes and was known for her activism on issues related to women's rights, the environment, and communal harmony.
Patil's career was cut short by her untimely death at the age of 31 due to complications during childbirth. Her legacy as an actor and activist lives on, and she is remembered as one of the most talented and influential performers in Indian cinema.
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Ruby Myers (April 5, 2015 Pune-October 10, 1983 Mumbai) also known as Salochna Senior, Ruby Mayers, Rubyy, Sulochana Devi, Sulochana Sr., Salochna, Sulochna Devi, Sulochana Senior, Sulochna Ruby, Ruby Meyer, Ruby Sulochana, Sulochna, Sulochna Sr., Sulochana, Ruby Mayer or Ruby Myers 'Sulochana' was an Indian actor.
She was one of the leading actresses of the silent era in Indian cinema, starring in over 150 films in a career spanning two decades. Ruby Myers began her career in cinema as a supporting actress in the early 1920s and gradually worked her way up to leading roles. She was known for her versatility as an actress, portraying a range of characters from modern, independent women to traditional, demure heroines. In addition to acting, she was also a writer and director and collaborated on several films with her husband, director Franz Osten. After the advent of sound in Indian cinema, she continued to act in talkies and also worked as a playback singer. Ruby Myers was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri in 1969 for her contribution to Indian cinema.
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Kuljeet Randhawa (January 1, 1976 Punjab region-February 8, 2006 Juhu) was an Indian model and actor.
She died caused by suicide.
Kuljeet Randhawa began her career as a model and won the Miss Mumbai title in 1997. She then went on to work as a model for various fashion shows, print ads, and commercials. She made her television debut with the TV series "Hip Hip Hurray" in 1999 and went on to act in several TV shows including "CATS", "Special Squad", and "Kohinoor". In 2004, she also acted in the Bollywood film "Bye Bye Miss Goodnight". Kuljeet Randhawa was known for her impressive acting skills, charming personality, and stunning looks. Her untimely death came as a shock to her fans and the entertainment industry.
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Cuckoo Moray (April 5, 2015-September 30, 1981) a.k.a. Cuckoo, Chuckoo, Cuckoo Moray, Cukku, rubber girl or Cukoo was an Indian dancer and actor.
Cuckoo Moray was born in Goa, India and started her career as a dancer in the 1940s. She was known for her energetic and expressive performances, and was often referred to as the "Rubber Girl" due to her incredible flexibility. She eventually transitioned into acting and appeared in over 250 films in Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati cinema.
Cuckoo is widely regarded as one of the greatest dancers in Indian cinema and was known for her "Cabaret" style dance sequences that became very popular in the 1950s and 60s. She was also a pioneer in bringing Western-style dance to Indian films, and her influence can still be seen in Bollywood dance today.
Despite her success as a dancer and actor, Cuckoo faced discrimination due to her Goan Catholic background and was often relegated to supporting roles. However, she continued to work tirelessly and earned the respect and adoration of her fans and colleagues.
Cuckoo Moray passed away in 1981 at the age of 66, but her legacy as a trailblazer in Indian cinema lives on.
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Seeta Devi (April 5, 2015-April 5, 1983) a.k.a. Renee Smith, Sita Debi, Seeta Debi or Sita Devi was an Indian actor.
She began her acting career in the 1920s and 1930s in silent films and moved on to become a prominent actress of the golden era of Indian cinema. Known for her beauty and grace, Seeta Devi acted in several Hindi and Bengali films and was often cast as the lead actress opposite famous actors of the time.
Seeta Devi also had a brief stint in Hollywood and appeared in two films, the 1935 film "Kismet" and the 1937 film "Bombs Over Shanghai". She is credited with being one of the first Indian actresses to have worked in Hollywood.
In addition to acting, Seeta Devi was also a writer and director. She wrote and directed the 1935 film "Yahudi Ki Ladki" which starred her in the lead role.
Seeta Devi was married to the famous film director and producer Himanshu Rai and the two worked together on several films. After her husband's death, Seeta Devi retired from acting and moved to Switzerland where she lived until her death in 1983. She was posthumously awarded the Padma Shri, one of the highest civilian honors in India, in 2019.
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Richa Sharma (April 5, 1963 Mumbai-April 5, 1996 New York City) a.k.a. Richa Sanjay Dutt was an Indian actor. Her child is Trishala Dutt.
She died as a result of brain tumor.
Richa Sharma was a prominent figure in the Hindi film industry in the 1980s and 1990s. She began her acting career in 1986 with the film "Nazarana" and went on to star in several successful films including "Hum Naujawan", "Anubhav" and "Aag Hi Aag". She was known for her powerful performances and was a popular choice for playing strong, independent women on screen.
In addition to her acting career, Sharma was also an accomplished playback singer. She lent her voice to many popular Bollywood songs including "Zeehale Muskin" from the film "Ghulami" and "Dil Tera Deewana Hai Sanam" from "Dil Tera Deewana".
After her marriage to actor Sanjay Dutt in 1987, Sharma took a break from acting to focus on her family. However, she continued to work as a playback singer and collaborated with many prominent music directors.
Unfortunately, Sharma's life was cut short when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1994. She underwent treatment in New York City, but passed away on her 33rd birthday in 1996. Sharma is remembered as a talented actor and singer whose career was tragically cut short.
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Elsie Mackay (April 5, 1893 Shimla-March 13, 1928 Atlantic Ocean) also known as Elsie Mackaye, Gordon Sinclair, Hon. Elsie Mackay or Poppy Wyndham was an Indian pilot, actor and interior designer.
She died in aviation accident or incident.
Elsie Mackay was born to a Scottish father and American mother in Shimla, India. Her family moved to England when she was a child, where she attended school and pursued her passion for acting. She made her first stage appearance at the age of 17 and went on to appear in several plays and films.
Mackay's interest in aviation was sparked by a trip she took to the United States in the early 1920s. She took flying lessons and earned her pilot's license in 1927. She became the first British woman to hold a commercial pilot's license and the first woman to fly across the Irish Sea.
In addition to her acting and aviation pursuits, Mackay was known for her interior design work. She designed homes and offices for several prominent clients, including the British Ministry of Information.
Sadly, Mackay's life was cut short when she attempted to fly across the Atlantic Ocean with pilot Captain Hinchliffe in 1928. The pair disappeared without a trace, presumed to have crashed somewhere in the ocean. Despite many search efforts, no wreckage or remains were ever found.
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Kanchanamala (April 5, 2015 Tenali-April 5, 1981) a.k.a. Kanchana Mala, Kanchanmala or Kanchan Mala was an Indian actor.
She was born in Tenali, Andhra Pradesh and began her acting career in Telugu cinema in the 1940s. Kanchanamala acted in several films, including "Chintamani" (1941), "Yogi Vemana" (1947), "Mayabazaar" (1957) and "Bhookailasa" (1958), among others. She was known for her versatility in playing both dramatic and comedic roles. Kanchanamala also wrote scripts for films and was a trained classical dancer. She received the prestigious Kalaprapoorna award for her contributions to Telugu cinema. Kanchanamala passed away on her 34th birthday in 1981.
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Shamim Bano (April 5, 2015-April 5, 1984) a.k.a. Shamim or Shamim Bano Begum was an Indian actor.
Born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, Shamim Bano started her acting career in the 1940s and quickly became a leading lady in Indian cinema during the 1950s and 1960s. She starred in many successful films, including "Sharda" (1957), "Baap Bete" (1959), and "Kohinoor" (1960).
In addition to her acting career, Shamim Bano was also known for her singing talents. She recorded several songs for films, including "Kaisi Haseen Aaj" from the film "Baap Bete."
Shamim Bano was married to Indian film director S. S. Vasan, with whom she had one daughter. She passed away in Chennai in 1984 at the age of 69.
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Prema (April 5, 2015 Chennai-April 5, 1984) also known as Prema or Prema Menon was an Indian actor. She had one child, Shobha.
Prema was a versatile and talented actress who predominantly worked in the Tamil film industry. She made her acting debut in the 1940s and went on to act in over 100 films during her illustrious career. Prema was known for her natural acting style and ability to bring authenticity to her performances. She received critical acclaim for her roles in films like "Parasakthi" and "Thiruvilaiyadal". Apart from Tamil cinema, Prema also acted in Telugu and Kannada movies. She was also an accomplished classical dancer trained in Bharatanatyam. Prema passed away on her 31st birthday due to complications during childbirth, leaving behind a legacy in the Indian film industry.
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Viji (April 5, 1966 India-November 27, 2000 Chennai) also known as Viji Aswath was an Indian actor.
She began her acting career in the Tamil film industry with the film "Ninaithale Inikkum" in 1979. She went on to act in over 300 films in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam languages. Viji earned critical acclaim and popularity for her roles in films like "Nadodi Thendral," "Ninaithen Vandhai," and "Rojavanam."
Apart from her film career, Viji was also a prominent television personality. She hosted several popular shows on Tamil television, including "Superhit Muqabla" and "Star Kitchen."
Viji was known for her versatile acting skills, and her ability to portray a wide range of characters. She won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film "Sindhu Nathi Poo."
Sadly, Viji passed away at the age of 34 due to a heart attack. Her untimely death was a shock to her fans and the film industry. Viji's legacy lives on in her memorable performances on screen.
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Rajyalakshmi (June 2, 1930 Cherpulassery-January 18, 1965) also known as Rajalakshmi, Rajlakshmi, Rajyalakshmi Devi or T. A. Rajalakshmi was an Indian actor, writer, poet and teacher.
She died caused by suicide.
Rajyalakshmi was born in Cherpulassery, a small town in present-day Kerala, India. She started her career in the film industry in the early 1950s and went on to act in over 60 films. She was known for her strong performances in films such as "Mohanam" and "Bhakta Kuchela". Besides acting, Rajyalakshmi was also an accomplished writer and poet, with several books and collections of poetry to her credit.
Apart from her creative pursuits, Rajyalakshmi had a keen interest in education and was involved in teaching. She was the headmistress of a school in Chennai for several years. However, her personal life was riddled with difficulties, including an unhappy marriage and financial troubles. She ultimately took her own life in 1965, leaving behind a legacy of artistic contributions and a tragic end to her life.
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