From Sushant Singh Rajput to Shefali Jariwala, 12 Indian celebs who passed away too early

The Indian entertainment industry has lost many talented stars far too soon. From iconic film legends to rising television actors, these celebrities left an indelible mark through their work but passed away at a young age, often under tragic or unexpected circumstances. Here’s a look at some well-known names, how they died, and the age at which they bid farewell

Updated On: 2025-06-30 01:33 PM IST

Compiled by : Athulya Nambiar

Sushant Singh Rajput and Shefali Jariwala

Meena Kumari (age 38)

Meena Kumari passed away on March 31, 1972, due to liver cirrhosis caused by chronic alcohol consumption. She had been battling deteriorating health for several years

Madhubala (age 36)

Iconic actress Madhubala passed away on February 23, 1969. She suffered from a prolonged heart ailment (congenital heart disease), which worsened over the years, leading to her early death

Smita Patil (age 31)

Acclaimed actress Smita Patil died on December 13, 1986, from complications following childbirth (postpartum infection and septicemia), just days after giving birth to her son, Prateik Babbar

Divya Bharti (age 19)

Divya Bharti died on April 5, 1993, after falling from the balcony of her fifth-floor apartment in Mumbai. The incident was officially recorded as an accidental fall, though speculation about the circumstances persists

Soundarya (age 31)

Popular South Indian actress Soundarya died on April 17, 2004, in a tragic helicopter crash near Bangalore while she was on her way to campaign for a political party

Jiah Khan (age 25)

Jiah Khan, known for films like Nishabd and Ghajini, died by suicide on June 3, 2013. She was found hanging in her Mumbai apartment. Her death shocked the film industry and led to a lengthy legal investigation

Puneeth Rajkumar (age 46)

Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar died on October 29, 2021, after suffering a massive cardiac arrest while working out in the gym. He was rushed to Vikram Hospital in Bangalore but could not be revived

Suhani Bhatnagar (age 19)

Suhani Bhatnagar, who played young Babita Phogat in Dangal, passed away on February 16, 2024. She died due to complications from dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease

Shefali Jariwala

The actress passed away on June 27 reportedly due to heart attack. She was 42 at the time of her passing

Sidharth Shukla (age 40)

Television and Bigg Boss 13 star Sidharth Shukla died on September 2, 2021, after suffering a sudden heart attack at home in Mumbai. He was declared dead on arrival at Cooper Hospital

Pratyusha Banerjee (age 24)

Television actress Pratyusha Banerjee, known for Balika Vadhu, was found hanging in her Mumbai apartment on April 1, 2016. The death was ruled a suicide

Sushant Singh Rajput (age 34)

On June 14, 2020, Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Bandra apartment in Mumbai. The cause was reported as suicide by hanging. His passing sparked massive media coverage, speculation, and multiple official investigations

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