2014: When entertainment industry lost its many stars

The entertainment industry lost many talented artistes in 2014 with the demise of cinema personalities like Suchitra Sen, Zohra Sehgal, cinematographer V K Murthy, Sadashiv Amrapurkar and filmmaker K Balachander.
Sen, who died on January 17, was known as the Greta Garbo of Bengali cinema for her reclusive nature. The actress, who starred in many memorable Hindi and Bengali films like 'Devdas', 'Saptapadi' and 'Aandhi' retired from the industry in 1978 following her husband's death. She lost her life to a cardiac arrest at the age of 82.
Zohra Sehgal died at the age of 102 on July 10. Sehgal had a glorious career as a dancer, theatre artist and film personality. At 95, she made her last Bollywood outing as a fun-loving character Lilipop in 'Saawariya'. She was one of the first female Indian actors to achieve an international profile.

Acclaimed cinematographer V K Murthy, who died on April 7 at the age of 91, will be remembered for his association with Guru Dutt. The Dadasaheb Phalke award-winner collaborated with Guru Dutt on classics like 'Kaagaz Ke Phool' (India's first film in cinemascope), 'Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam', 'Pyaasa' and 'Aar Paar'. He was the inspiration for cinematographers like Santosh Sivan, Anil Mehta and Ajay Bahl.
Versatile Sadashiv Amrapurkar lost his life to a liver infection on November 3. In his three-decade-old career, Amrapurkar played a variety of negative and comic roles.
Legendary filmmaker K Balachander, 84, who died on December 23 after a brief illness, will be remembered for hits like 'Aval Ora Thodar Kathai', 'Avargal', 'Varumayin Niram Sigappu', '47 Natkal', 'Ek Dooje Ke Liye' and 'Aaina'. Balachander also made stars out of actors like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Sridevi and Saritha.

Actress Nanda, who starred in memorable films like 'Jab Jab Phool Khile', 'Hum Dono', Ittefaq' and 'Gumnaam', died on March 25 at the age of 75.
Comedian Deven Varma, best known for his double role in Gulzar's 'Angoor', died at the age of 78 earlier this month. Varma was one of the most effortless comedians of his generation.