They once lit up our screens, their voices etched in our memories, their smiles larger than life. And now, they’re gone—leaving behind a trail of stories, songs, and the sound of silent applause. The journey from 1970 to 2025 is not just a timeline—it’s a bittersweet odyssey through the lives of 200 stars who gave Bollywood its soul.

From the golden hues of Meena Kumari to the graceful departure of Sridevi, each decade brought us unforgettable legends—and painful goodbyes.

Meena Kumari: The Eternal Tragedy Queen

When Meena Kumari passed away in 1972, it wasn’t just the end of a life. It was the end of an era. Her portrayal of sorrow was so authentic, it felt like the camera had borrowed her real tears. From Pakeezah to Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, she didn’t just act—she bled emotion on screen. Her tragic personal life only amplified her on-screen image, making her departure at 38 all the more haunting.

The Silent Fade of Smita Patil and Sanjeev Kumar

In the 1980s, we saw raw brilliance in the eyes of Smita Patil and the quiet depth of Sanjeev Kumar. Both gone too soon, both leaving audiences stunned. Smita’s feminist roles weren’t just ahead of her time—they were revolutionary. Sanjeev Kumar, with his everyman charm, brought maturity and vulnerability in one frame. Bollywood was growing up with them—and their absence left a gaping void.

Madhubala: The Face That Launched a Thousand Heartbeats

Though she passed away in 1969, Madhubala’s presence was felt long into the 1970s. Her beauty was ethereal, but her heart condition was her shadow. The girl who made audiences laugh in Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi and cry in Mughal-e-Azam never got the long life she deserved. Her name still echoes in every conversation about timeless beauty.

The Nineties: Farewell to Showmen and Comedians

The 1990s saw the fading of laughter. Comedians like Mehmood, Johnny Walker, and music legends like Kishore Kumar bid their final goodbyes. Raj Kapoor, the original showman, passed in 1988—but his absence echoed louder in the early ’90s when Bollywood seemed to lose its playful innocence.

2000s: Goodbye, Dada Muni and the Golden Age Titans

Ashok Kumar, lovingly known as Dada Muni, symbolized the golden age of Hindi cinema. His departure marked the end of a generation that built the foundation of Bollywood. We also lost Amrish Puri—whose “Mogambo khush hua” remains one of the most iconic dialogues in Indian film history. Villains are rarely beloved, but Puri made menace majestic.

Sridevi: A Nation Mourned Together

Her death in 2018 didn’t just shock Bollywood—it brought India to a standstill. One moment she was gracing the wedding of her nephew; the next, she was gone. Sridevi was India’s first female superstar, dancing effortlessly from regional to national cinema, comedy to drama. Her comeback in English Vinglish reminded us why we missed her. But it also made her loss even more piercing.

Rishi Kapoor and Irrfan Khan: A Double Blow in 2020

2020 was cruel. In one week, we lost Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor. Two actors. Two extremes. Irrfan, the quiet storm—subtle, haunting, international. Rishi, the eternal romantic, who danced in snow and sang on mountains. Both fought cancer. Both fought silently. Their absence still feels too recent, too raw.

Dilip Kumar: The Final Curtain Call of a Legend

In 2021, Dilip Kumar passed at the age of 98. For many, he was the Shakespeare of Hindi cinema. Devdas, Madhumati, Naya Daur—his films are cinematic literature. Even in his silence during later years, his presence was towering. When he left, it wasn’t just the end of an actor—it was the end of an institution.

The Lesser-Known Losses

Not every star was on the front page. Farida Jalal’s quiet farewell, the untimely death of Divya Bharti, the suicide of Jiah Khan, the fading of veterans like Rakesh Pandey and Mukul Dev in 2025—they all told stories that were just as real, just as important. Their obituaries may not trend for days, but their roles remain embedded in celluloid history.

Then and Now: What Remains After They’re Gone

Some left in youth, others after decades of legacy. But each left something that lives on—a film, a song, a line, a look. That’s the beauty of cinema: it captures moments forever. As the reels keep spinning, their shadows dance across screens, reminding us of the time they ruled the silver world.

The New Faces Pay Tribute

Younger stars like Alia Bhatt, Ranveer Singh, and Vicky Kaushal often speak about standing on the shoulders of these legends. From attending memorials to quoting their dialogues, the next generation carries forward the stories of those who came before.

The Marigold Garland and the Whisper of Goodbye

In Indian tradition, a marigold garland drapes around the portrait of the departed. In homes across India, these portraits hang in silence—yet their eyes seem to follow you, as if still performing for the audience that never left.

This list of 200 names isn’t just a roll call of loss—it’s a love letter to Bollywood. It’s a reminder that fame is fleeting, but artistry is eternal. As we flip through black-and-white stills and color posters, as we hum songs from the ‘80s or rewatch a ‘90s tearjerker, we’re keeping them alive.

Because in Bollywood, no one really dies.
They just fade into a beautiful scene—and wait for us in the next rewatch.