Year-Ender 2023: From Satish Kaushik, Dinesh Phadnis To Junior Mehmood, Celebs Who Passed Away This Year

In the year 2023, we had some great news in the industry from several celebs getting married to couples welcoming kids. But also, the deaths of some popular Bollywood and TV celebs left us devastated. While some died of heart attacks or other illnesses, some deaths were due to accidents. We lost both aged and young actors in 2023 leaving a void in our hearts. From Satish Kaushik, Dinesh Phadnis to Pradeep Sarkar and Junior Mehmood, several celebs left for the heavenly abode but their memories will live on forever in our hearts.

Here's the list of actors who died in 2023. 

Satish Kaushik

Veteran actor-filmmaker Satish Kaushik died on March 9, 2023, after suffering a heart attack. He was 66. His death left the entire industry devastated. Also, fans were bereaved. Satish was first seen in Shekhar Kapur's 'Masoom'. Then he appeared in several films like 'Mr India', 'Ram Lakhan' and 'Roop Ki RaniChoron Ka Raja'. He also helmed films like 'Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain' and 'Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja', 'Tere Naam' and 'Milenge Milenge'.

Pradeep Sarkar

Bengali director Pradeep Sarkar passed away on March 24 at the age of 67. He made his debut in the Hindi film industry with 'Parineeta'. starring Vidya Balan, Saif Ali Khan, and Sanjay Dutt. His last Hindi film was Kajol starrer 'Helicopter Eela'. Sarkar also directed other Hindi films like 'Laga Chunari Mein Daag' and 'Lafangey Parindey' and web series like 'Coldd Lassi Aur Chicken Masala', 'Forbidden Love', and 'Arranged Marriage'.

Nitin Desai

Nitin Desai who worked with filmmakers like Ashutosh Gowarikar, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani, and Sanjay Leela Bhansali died on August 2. He allegedly died by suicide. He was known for his work in movies like 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', 'Lagaan', 'Devdas', 'Jodhaa Akbar' and 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' among others. He had won three Filmfare Awards for Best Art Direction and four National Film Awards for Best Art Direction. 

Rajkumar Kohli

Actor Armaan Kohli's father, veteran film director who was known for his films like 'Lootera', 'Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahaani', 'Raaj Tilak', 'Naagin', 'Badle Ki Aag' and 'Pati Patni aur Tawaif' died from a heart attack on November 24. He was 93.

Gufi Paintal

Gufi Paintal who was known for his role of Shakuni Mama in 'Mahabharat' died on June 5 due to age-related health issues at 79. Gufi worked in both TV shows and films. His works include 'Kanoon', 'Om Namah Shivay', 'Bahadur Shah Zafar', 'CID', 'Ssshhhh...Koi Hai', 'Dwarkadheesh Bhagwaan Shree Krishn', 'RadhaKrishn' and 'Jay Kaniya Lal Ki' among others. He made his film debut in 1975 with 'Rafoo Chakkar'. Later, he appeared in films like 'Desh Pardesh', 'Dillagi', and 'Suhaag'. He also directed a movie called 'Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu'. 

Pamela Chopra

Pamela Chopra, wife of late filmmaker Yash Chopra and mother of Aditya and Uday Chopra, passed away on April 20 in Mumbai. She was 74. 

Junior Mehmood

Naeem Sayyed popularly known as Junior Mehmood passed away on December 8 after batting with stage four cancer. He was 67. He acted in over 200 films in different languages and was known for his work in movies like 'Brahmachari', 'Mera Naam Joker', 'Parvarish' and 'Do Aur Do Paanch' among others. 

Dinesh Phadnis

'CID' actor Fredricks aka Dinesh Phadnis breathed his last at the age of 57 on December 5. He was suffering from extensive liver damage and was even on a ventilator. His 'CID' co-stars offered condolences on social media. 

Vaibhavi Upadhyaya

Popular TV actress Vaibhavi Upadhyaya passed away on May 22 after she met with a car accident in Himachal Pradesh’s Banjar where she was travelling along with her fiance, Jay Suresh Gandhi. She was 32. She appeared in many TV shows but was known for playing the role of Jasmine in the TV show 'Sarabhai vs Sarabhai'. 

Nitesh Pandey

Actor Nitesh Pandey died at the age of 51 on May 23 after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was shooting in Igatpuri and was found dead in his room. His last show was 'Anupamaa'. 

Aditya Singh Rajput

'Splitsvilla 9' contestant Aditya Singh Rajput was found dead under mysterious circumstances on May 22, 2023, at his residence in Andheri. He died as he allegedly slipped and fell in the bathroom. Reportedly, his death was due to drug overdose.

Rio Kapadia

Rio Kapadia passed away on September 14 after battling cancer. He was 66. He was known for films like 'Chak De India', 'Happy New Year' and 'Mardaani' among others. 

Akhil Mishra

Actor Akhil Mishra who was known for playing the role of librarian Dubey in Aamir Khan’s ‘3 Idiots’, left for the heavenly abode on September 21. His wife and German actress Suzanne Bernert confirmed that he died after falling on the kitchen floor. The actor was unwell also for some time due to blood pressure-related issues.