The year 2017 was tough for Indian cinema as many shocking and unexpected demises left us with a void that can never be filled.
Here we list down top Bollywood celebrities who passed away in 2017.
OM PURI: The year started on a tragic note with the death of talented actor Om Puri. He died on January 6 at his residence in Mumbai after suffering from heart attack.
REEMA LAGOO: Bollywood's favourite mother after Nirupa Royu and before Kirron Kher breathed her last at a city hospital following a severe cardiac arrest on May 18, 2017. The news of her sudden demise came as a shock to the entire entertainment fraternity. The actress, best known for her roles in blockbusters like Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989), Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994) and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), was 58 years old.
SHASHI KAPOOR: Indian film industry stalwart Shashi Kapoor died at the age of 79 on December 4. His nephew Randhir told PTI the actor had died in Mumbai after several years of kidney problems.
RAM MUKERJI: He helmed films like Hum Hindustani, which starred Sunil Dutt, Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh, and the Dilip Kumar-Vyjayanthimala starrer Leader. He also produced daughter Rani's debut Hindi film Raja Ki Aayegi Baarat in 1997.
LEKH TANDON: Veteran filmmaker Lekh Tandon, who directed the iconic film Amrapali, passed away on October 15, his associates said. He was 88.
SHAMSHER SINGH: Renowned musician and brother of popular singers and performers Mika Singh and Daler Mehndi, Shamsher Singh passed away on October 9, 2017.
SITARAM PANCHAL: Actor Sitaram Panchal, who was struggling with lung cancer for three years, lost the battle and breathed his last on August 10, 2017, at his residence. He was seen in the Aamir Khan-produced film Peepli Live.
INDER KUMAR: The actor died on July 28 at his residence in Mumbai. The 45-year-old who was seen in the movie Wanted with Salman Khan died of heart attack after a long battle with a prevailing illness.
VINOD KHANNA: Another veteran actor breathed his last this year, leaving the film industry in shock. Vinod Khanna, the original macho man of Bollywood, passed away on April 27. He was suffering from advanced bladder carcinoma (bladder cancer).
KRITIKA CHAUDHARY: A 27-year-old struggling actress, she was found dead in her Mumbai residence in June, 2017. Two were reportedly arrested in connection with her death.
ABIS RIZVI: Born in 1967, Abis Rizvi was the son of Dr Akhtar Hassan Rizvi, former member of the Rajya Sabha in Bandra, West Mumbai, Maharashtra. The film producer was killed in the Istanbul terror attack on January 1.
NEERAJ VORA: Bollywood actor and filmmaker Neeraj Vora died at a Mumbai hospital on December 14 after being in coma for almost a year. The 54-year-old actor was at the residence of producer Firoz Nadiadwala but was rushed to hospital when his condition deteriorated. He directed the Akshay Kumar-starrer Phir Hera Pheri.
