From Shreeram Lagoo to Ramesh Batkar, and Viju Khote; Marathi celebs who passed away in 2019

Marathi industry lost some of its greats this year. The number of celebrities died this year, breaking millions of hearts. From veteran actors Shreeram Lagoo to comedy king, Viju Khote, there were a few legends who left us in 2019. Here’s taking a look at all the Marathi celebrities who passed away in 2019.

Veteran Marathi actor Ramesh Bhatkar passed away after a battle with cancer on Feb 4, 2019. He was 70. The actor, who was suffering from cancer for more than one and a half years, breathed his last at a hospital in Mumbai on World Cancer Day. Ramesh Bhatkar was born on August 3, 1949, in Madhya Pradesh. Bhatkar's mainstream movie debut was the film 'Chandoba Chandoba Bhaglaas Ka' (1977) followed by 'AshtaVinayak' (1978), 'Duniya Kari Salam', 'Maaherchi Manasa', 'Aapli Maanasa', and 'Maherchi Sadi' (1991).

Noted actor, filmmaker and playwright Girish Karnad passed away on June 10, 2019. He was 81. According to reports, the actor, Karnad succumbed to a prolonged illness at his residence in Vittal Mallya Road, Bengaluru. Karnad predominantly worked in South Indian cinema, Bollywood and in Marathi cinema as well.

Viju Khote, a popular actor in Marathi cinema, breathed his last on September 20. He was 77. The actor, who is popular for his role of 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' of 1988 has appeared in several Marathi and Bollywood films and numerous television shows and plays. Viju Khote hailed from a family of artists. His sister Shubha Khote is an actress and his father Nandu was a noted stage actor and in silent movies. His sister-in-law Durga Khote was also an actress. He started his acting career with 'Ya Malak' in 1964.

Geeta Mali, a playback singer who had sung for some Marathi films died in an accident on Mumbai-Agra highway in Thane district on November 14, 2019, police said. She was heading for Nashik, her hometown, after returning from the United States when the car in which she and her husband Vijay were travelling rammed into a container parked alongside the road. Both Geeta and Vijay were injured seriously and taken to Shahpur Rural Hospital, but Geeta died during treatment, police said. Geeta had sung songs for a few Marathi films and also cut her own music albums.

Shreeram Lagoo, a popular veteran actor who is well known for his Marathi film from 'Samna' to 'Pinjara', passed away on December 17 in Pune. He was 92. According to reports, he was being treated at the Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital for the last few days. Shreeram Lagoo made a huge contribution to Marathi and Hindi films. Many of the plays he performed in the theatre were a big success. He had acted in over 100 Hindi and Marathi films, over 40 Marathi, Hindi and Gujarati plays, and has directed over 20 Marathi plays. He was considered one of the greatest actors of the Marathi stage during the second half of the twentieth century.