2020 hasn’t been just like any other year. The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc, killing millions around the world. The year has been gloomy for Bollywood fans, as the industry lost many of its precious gems.

While the deaths of Rishi Kapoor and Irrfan Khan have left a deep void, that of Sushant Singh Rajput sent shockwaves throughout the nation. It was not just actors. While the regional and national film industries were united in their grief over the death of singing legend SP Balasubrahmanyam, that of music director Wajid came as a shock for fans.

Here are the stars whom we lost in 2020:

Rishi Kapoor

Rishi Kapoor died on April 30 after a long battle with cancer, for which he was diagnosed in 2018. The actor was 67. 

After his debut in 1973 with the film Bobby, Kapoor went on to act in over 90 films. His last film was 102 Not-Out, with Amitabh Bachchan as his co-star. 

Irrfan Khan

Irrfan Khan died on April 29, following his long battle with cancer. The actor was 53. He was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in 2018. The actor died just three days after he lost his mother. 

Khan had an outstanding career, both in India and the west. His last Bollywood film was Angrezi Medium.

Sushant Singh Rajput

The actor died by suicide on June 14. He was 34.

Sushant Singh Rajput was among the very few actors who made their name in Bollywood after a successful career in the television industry.

Having become a household name after playing the male protagonist in the popular show ‘Pavitra Rishta’, he made his Bollywood debut with Abhishek Kapoor’s ‘Kai Po Che’.

‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story’ is considered his most successful. The actor was last seen in ‘Dil Bechara’ that had a digital release after his death.

SP Balasubrahmaniam

Veteran singer SP Balasubrahmanyam died on September 25, following COVID-19 complications. He was 74 years old. 

The singer tested positive for the novel coronavirus in August and was shifted to the ICU after his health deteriorated. He was on ventilator support and died on September 25.

In his phenomenal singing career spanning over five decades, SPBo recorded over 40,000 songs for which he held a Guinness World record. Language was no barrier for this versatile singer who recorded songs in 16 Indian languages. 

Nishikant Kamat

Director-actor Nishikant Kamat, best known for directing actor Ajay Devgan starter Drishyam, died on August 17 in Hyderabad. He was 50. 

Kamat, whose directorial debut Dombivali Fast that was released in 2005, won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Marathi, was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.

He has directed movies, such as Mumbai Meri Jaan, Rocky Handsome and Madaari.

He also acted in a number of films, which included Daddy, Rocky Handsome, Julie 2 and Bhavesh Joshi.

Rahat Indori

“Sabhi ka khoon shamil yahan ki mitti mein,

kisi ke baap ka Hindustan thodi hai”

These fiery lines by the renowned Urdu poet Rahat Indori are particularly crucial at a time like this when India is witnessing communal divisions.

The lyricist-poet died on August 11 due to cardiac arrest. He was 70 and had tested positive for COVID-19.

Apart from his poems (shayaris), he also penned some beautiful Bollywood songs. These include ‘Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili’ (Kareeb), ‘Bumbro’ (Mission Kashmir), ‘Ye Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ (Meenaxi) and ‘Dil Ko Hazar Baar’ (Murder).

Jagdeep

Best remembered for his iconic act as Soorma Bhopali in the cult film Sholay, actor Jagdeep died of age-related health issues on July 8. He was 80.

Having acted in over 400 films, he also tried his hands at directing.

Saroj Khan

Veteran Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan died of cardiac arrest on July 3. She was 71.

In a career spanning over decades, Khan choreographed some of the iconic Bollywood songs. These include Ek Do Teen, Hawa Hawai, Dhak Dhak, Chane Ke Khet Mein, Tamma Tamma, Dola Re Dola, among others.

Having worked with actors across generations, she was best known for her collaborations with actors Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit.

Wajid Khan

Music composer Wajid Khan of Sajid-Wajid duo died on June 1, following cardiac arrest. He was 42.

The duo composed songs for over 70 Bollywood films and Wajid also made a mark as a singer.

They composed music in a number of films which include Tere Naam, Partner, Dabangg, among others.

Yogesh Gaur

Veteran lyricist Yogesh Gaur died on May 29. He was 77.

He penned several soulful melancholic songs, such as ‘Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaye’, ‘Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli’ and ‘Maine Kaha Phoolon Se.’

His other iconic songs include ‘Rimjhim Gire Sawan’, ‘Janeman Janeman Tere Do Nayan’, ‘Naa Bole Tum Naa Maine Kuch Kaha’, among others.

Soumitra Chatterjee

Legendary actor Soumitra Chatterjee died on November 15, of coronavirus complications. He was 85. 

In a long career, spanning decades, Chatterjee acted in over 300 movies. He was also a theatre actor, playwright and poet. 

He is widely remembered for his collaboration with the ace film director Satyajit Ray. 

Chatterjee was a Dada Saheb Phalke awardee. He was given France’s highest award, the Legion of Honour, in 2018.