Sandalwood has lost many big names in the year 2017. While the death of Parvathamma Rajkumar came as an irreparable loss to Kannada films, the passing away of a young actor like Dhruva Sharma left the industry in a state of a shock.
Here, we bring you a list of deaths that shocked Sandalwood in 2017.
Padma Kumta
Died on: March 6
Aged: 58
Veteran actress Padma Kumta died of heart attack while shooting for a TV serial. She was 58 and acted in many movies that include Bayalu Dhaari, Arivu, Avasthe, etc. She had won a National Award for her performance in Chomana Dudi.
Parvathamma Rajkumar
Died on: May 31
Aged: 78
Parvathamma Rajkumar, who was a motherly-figure in Sandalwood, died of age-related ailments. She had a major role in shaping her husband and matinee idol late Rajkumar's career. She had involved in film business through her production house Vajreshwari Combines. Her first movie was Trimurthi. During her successful stint as a producer, she made over 75 movies, preferring original stories for many films.
Dhruva Sharma
Died on: August 1
Aged: 35
Dhruva Sharma, who passed away on Tuesday, August 1, due to multiple organ failure and cardiac arrest, was not just an actor or cricketer, but an inspiration for many as he proved that disability did not prevent him from achieving his goals. Despite being deaf and mute, he earned a name for himself by sheer hard work. He acted in movies like Nenandre Ishta Kano, Tippaji Circle, Bengaluru 560023 and Looty
LN Shastri
Died on: August 30
Aged: 46
Musician LN Shastri passed away due to intestinal cancer. He was an underrated music director in Sandalwood, who had lent his voice to over 3,000 songs. The music director started his career under legendary music director Hamasalekha as a track singer. He made his debut as a music director with Kanasalu Neene Manasalu Neene in 1998 and composed music for 25 movies.
Lambu Nagesh
Died on: September 1:
Lambu Nagesh, who acted in over 100 movies in Sandalwood, passed away due to liver-related ailments. He made his debut in Prithviraj. Huliraya, Bellikalungura and Police Story 2 are some of his popular movies in which he played important roles.
RN Sudarshan
Died on: September 8
Aged: 78
Senior actor Sudarshan, who worked in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films, passed away due to age-related issues. The Kannada actor was estimated to have acted in over 250 films in multiple languages. Naguva Hoovu, Mareyada Deepavali, Maria, My Darling, Paayum Puli, Mata were some of his notable films. He was last seen in Golden Star Ganesh's Zoom.
BV Radha
Died: September 10
Aged: 69
Veteran actress BV Radha passed away following a cardiac arrest. She acted in over 250 movies in different languages after making her debut in Navakoti Narayana. She had worked with many big stars of her times like MGR, NTR, Rajkumar, etc.
Rakesh
Died on: October 2
Aged: 27
Rakesh, who was known for his role in Cheluvina Chittara, died due to gangrene. He had acted in a couple of movies that include Bandhu Balaga, Bhajarangi, Chanda, Modala Sala, etc.
Poornima Mohan
Died on: October 13
Poornima Mohan, filmmaker and the wife of producer KCN Mohan, has passed away on October 13. She was known for her work in Ramya and Dino Morea's Julie.
Venu Gopal
Died on: October 24
Senior actor Venu Gopal died of heart attack. He had acted in the films like Dakota Express, Sorappa, Shuddi, etc.
