2011 Flashback: Lost Gems of Bollywood

Year 2011 arrived with a whoosh and is now departing with a wham, leaving behind a multitude of bittersweet memories in its wake for everyone, and Bollywood is no exception. While blockbuster hits, directorial and acting debuts have made B-town proud and given them a reason to celebrate, there have also been grieving moments aplenty. The loss from a flop movie venture can be summed up with stats and figures, but the loss of dear ones? There is no way to sum that loss in stats and neither can any amount of money compensate that loss. BollyCurry, with a heavy heart, brings to you the names of those who've retired to their heavenly abode, leaving behind an irredeemable void in B-town.

The dancing star of Hindi cinema, Shammi Kapoor, son of Prithviraj Kapoor, who had stepped into Bollywood as a junior artiste in 1948 and debuted as a hero in 1953 with Jeevan Jyoti, succumbed to renal failure at the age of 79

The recipient of honours like the Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contribution to Indian cinema, Dev Anand entered the industry with small roles opposite singer-actress Suraiya, and went on to forge a place and image for himself and succeeded when he received his first big break in Ashok Kumar's Ziddi. This romantic superstar of Bollywood bid adieu to this world in London, on the 3rd December after a cardiac arrest.

Popularly known as the "poor man's Rajesh Khanna" in his time, Navin Nischol had starred in superhit movies like Victoria No. 203 (1972) and Dhund (1973) but later switched to character roles thus carving a successful career for himself in television with popular shows like Dekh Bhai Dekh. While en route from Mumbai to Pune, to spend a quiet holi with his family, Nishcol passed away in the car.

Comedian, actor and theatre artist, Vivek Shauq, who was a popular name in the television circuit and had acted in over 54 movies, including the likes of 36 China Town and Gadar, and multiple TV shows in his 47-year life span, passed away on the 3rd January due to a heart attack. The founder of Nonsense Club, Vivek had started his career with Jaspal Bhatti doing shows like Ulta Phulta and Flop Show for Doordarshan.

Legendary painter, M F Hussain died quietly in a London hospital after succumbing to a heart attack on 9th June, at the age of 97. Apart from his controversial paintings which came to light in the latter years of his life, MF Hussain had also tried his hand at movies such as Gaja Gamini, Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities and Through the Eyes of a Painter which also won a Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.

Jagmohan Mundhra, the Hollywood-based Indian filmmaker, who was known for films like Provoked, and Bawandar, passed away at the age of 62 owing to internal bleeding on 4th September.

Iconic director Mani Kaul lost his battle with cancer on 6th July at his New Delhi residence. Known for his exemplary movies in the modern Indian cinema, Kaul had kick started his career with Uski Roti in 1969 which went on to win the Filmfare Critics Award for best movie.

Surinder Kapoor, father to Anil Kapoor and producer of popular movies like Woh 7 Din, Pukar, Mr India, Judaai, Loafer, No Entry, Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, passed away at his Lokhandwala residence on the 26th of September after a massive cardiac stroke. He also was the assistant director of the epic film, Mughal-e-Azam.

Co-founder of Channel V and ad-filmmaker, Shamin Desai, succumbed to cancer before his directorial venture, Raftaar 24X7, could see the light of the day. Shamin had also directed singer KK's popular music-video, "Pal".

Goga Kapoor aka Ravinder Kapoor, known for playing gray shades in Bollywood movies, passed away on the 2nd March after a prolonged illness. Goga had acted in over 500 feature films and was known for his baritone voice.

Rasika Joshi, popularly known as 'Taru Fui' of Bandini, was a versatile actress who could carry off a comical and a negative character with equal ease. Joshi, who was a celebrated Marathi actress, had acted in movies and television serials alike and passed away on the 7th of July after losing a battle with cancer.

If the loss to the industry with the passing away of these actors and directors was any less, the music industry has more to add to the list with scions like Jagjit Singh and Bhupen Hazarika among others.

Bhupen Hazarika, noted music maestro passed away on 5th November after a multi-organ failure at the Dhirubai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. Known for composing his own lyrics and music, Hazarika was a poet, journalist, singer, lyricist, musician, filmmaker and writer.

Ghazal maestro and Padma Bhushan awardee, Jagjit Singh, passed away at the Lilavati Hospital on September 23rd after suffering a brain hemorrhage. 'The Ghazal King' who shot to fame in the 1970s and 1980s was known for mixing ghazals and mainstream songs in Bollywood.

Suchitra Mitra, widely acclaimed for her mellifluous rendition of Tagore songs and longtime professor and head of the Rabindra Sangeet department at the Rabindra Bharati University, passed away on the 3rd January following a cardiac arrest.

Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, who was a vocalist of classical Hindustani music, passed away on 24th January after a prolonged illness. He was known for lending his voice to Basant Bahar and Birbal My Brother among others.

Sarangi maestro, Ustad Sultan Khan, who was known for his soulful baritone and credited with reviving the sarangi, bid adieu to this world on 27th November 2011. Khan was also a member of the Indian fusion group, Tabla Beat Science.