Mumbai – Priya Marathe, a well-known face in Marathi and Hindi television, passed away at the age of 38 on August 31 at her Mira Road residence after a prolonged fight with cancer. She was widely admired for her acting skills and her roles in serials that earned her both critical acclaim and a loyal fan following.
Sources revealed that while her health condition had shown signs of improvement at times, the illness returned and progressed aggressively, leading to her untimely demise.
Industry and fans express grief
Tributes poured in from the entertainment industry, with co-stars, directors, and fans sharing heartfelt condolences on social media. Many remembered her for her dedication to her craft and her positive spirit throughout her illness.
Bollywood stars who succumbed to cancer
Priya Marathe’s death has once again brought focus to the harsh reality of cancer, a disease that has claimed the lives of several iconic Bollywood personalities over the decades.
Irrfan Khan
The celebrated actor, known for his nuanced performances in The Lunchbox and Paan Singh Tomar, battled a rare neuroendocrine tumour from 2018 until his death in 2020. He also made a mark in Hollywood with films like Life of Pi and Slumdog Millionaire.
Nargis Dutt
One of Indian cinema’s earliest global icons, Nargis succumbed to pancreatic cancer in 1981. She passed away shortly before the release of her son Sanjay Dutt’s debut film Rocky.
Vinod Khanna
The charismatic actor and parliamentarian died in 2017 at the age of 70 after a battle with cancer. He was known for his powerful screen presence and over 100 film roles.
Rishi Kapoor
Beloved for his romantic roles, Kapoor was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2018. Despite seeking treatment in New York, he passed away in 2020, a day after Irrfan Khan.
Feroz Khan
Known for his stylish persona and bold filmmaking, Khan lost his fight with lung cancer in 2009 at the age of 69.
Simple Kapadia
Actress-turned-costume designer and sister of Dimple Kapadia, Simple succumbed to cancer in 2009 at 51, despite receiving treatment for three years.
Rajesh Khanna
Bollywood’s first superstar died in 2012 following complications from cancer, which had spread to his liver.
A reminder for early detection
Priya Marathe’s passing and the loss of other stars underscore the importance of early cancer detection and regular health check-ups. Health experts continue to advocate awareness campaigns to encourage timely diagnosis, which significantly improves survival rates.