In Memoriam: Veeru Devgn, Shaukat Kaifi, Viju Khote, Bollywood legends who passed away in 2019

Bollywood lost a few of its gems this year as several noted artists bid adieu to the world. It is heartbreaking to know about the demise of a favourite celebrity and 2019 saw legends like Viju Khote, Vidya Sinha, Girish Karnad and a few others leave a void. Here’s taking a look at all the Bollywood celebrities who passed away in 2019.

Best known as ‘Kaalia’ from ‘Sholay’, Bollywood actor Viju Khote passed away on September 20. The 77 year old veteran actor suffered from multiple organ failure. "He passed away today at 6.55 am peacefully in his sleep at the residence. He has been unwell since quite sometime. He had multiple organ failure," his niece Bhavana Balsavar had told PTI. The late actor was also known for his innocent portrayal of Robert in ‘Andaaz Apna Apna’.

Ajay Devgn's father and veteran action director Veeru Devgan breathed his last on May 27 in Mumbai. He was admitted to a city hospital after he complained of breathlessness in the morning. The director later suffered a cardiac arrest. Veeru Devgan has helmed 1999 film 'Hindustan Ki Kasam' which featured Ajay Devgn, Amitabh Bachchan, Manisha Koirala and Sushmita Sen. He had also choreographed the fight scenes in several Bollywood hits like 'Dilwale' (1994), 'Himmatwala' (1983) and 'Shahenshaah' (1988) among others.

Veteran actress Vidya Sinha passed away on August 15. The 71 year old actress had been suffering from lung and heart disorders and was put on a ventilator a few days. Vidya Sinha delivered memorable performances in ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh’, ‘Rajnigandha’ and ‘Chhoti Si Baat’. She was also seen in Salman Khan starrer 'Bodyguard', which released in 2011. The veteran actress was also a part of several popular TV shows.

Veteran playwright and actor Girish Karnad passed away on June 10 after prolonged illness. He breathed his last at the age of 81 in Bengaluru. A multifaceted personality, Girish Karnad had featured in several plays, movies and had penned award winning screenplays too. The veteran actor had featured in Bollywood commercial films like ‘Iqbal’ and Ajay Devgn-starrer ‘Shivaay’.

Veteran Bollywood film producer Raj Kumar Barjatya passed away on February 21. The 75 year old filmmaker was admitted to a city hospital after he suffered a cardiac arrest. He was credited as producer for Bollywood hits like 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun', 'Vivaah' and 'Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo'. He was the father of filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya and son of Rajshri Pictures’ founder, Tarachand Barjatya.

Veteran theatre and film actress Shaukat Kaifi passed away at her Mumbai residence on November 22. “She was 93 and was having one problem after another. For certain days she was in the ICU and then she was out of ICU. It was all age-related, Ultimately they brought her home. She wanted to come back to her own room she stayed for a day or two and then passed away,” Javed Akhtar, son-in-law of Shaukat Kaifi had confirmed to PTI. She is remembered for her performance in ‘Garm Hawa’, ‘Bazaar’ and ‘Umrao Jaan’. Her last onscreen act was in Vivek Oberoi-Rani Mukerji starrer ‘Saathiya’ (2002).

Legendary music composer Mohammed Zahur Khayyam, better known as Khayyam, breathed his last on August 19. He was credit for the music of hits like 'Noorie', ‘Umrao Jaan’, 'Shola Aur Shabnam', 'Razia Sultan' and 'Kabhie Kabhie'. The Padma Bhushan recipient was admitted due to infection in lungs and was battling for life in the ICU. The hospital reportedly stated that the celebrated musician passed away due to cardiac arrest.

Hrithik Roshan’s maternal grandfather, J Om Prakash passed away on August 7. The 93-year-old filmmaker marked his debut as a director with Rajesh Khanna starrer ‘Aap Ki Kasam’, which released in 1974. The film was a huge success and J Om Prakash went on to call the shots for several films like 'Aakraman'', 'Aashiq Hoon Baharon Ka' and 'Aakhir Kyon?' to name a few. His daughter Pinky was married to Rakesh Roshan.