Desi Talk

Jaswinder Bhalla Popular Punjabi actor and comedian Jaswinder Bhalla passed away on August 22, 2025, in Mohali, Punjab, at the age of 65, following a period of illness. Known for his impeccable comic timing and sharp satirical dialogues, Bhalla was a stalwart of Punjabi cinema who redefined on-screen comedy and won the hearts of audiences across generations. He delivered memo- rable performances in films such as ‘Gaddi Chaldi Hai Chhalla Maarke’, ‘Carry On Jatta’, ‘Jind Jaan’ and ‘Band Baaje’, earning widespread acclaim for his charm and wit. His sudden demise has left the Punjabi film industry and fans in deep shock. Piyush Pandey Advertising veteran Piyush Pandey, widely regarded as a legend in the Indian advertising industry, passed away on October 23, 2025, at the age of 70. Pan- dey began his career in 1982 with Ogilvy & Mather India (now Ogilvy India) as a trainee account executive before mov- ing to the creative side, where he revolu- tionised Indian advertising. He was the mastermind behind iconic campaigns such as Asian Paints’ “Har Khushi Mein Rang Laaye”, Cadbury’s “Kuch Khaas Hai”, and Fevicol’s iconic “Egg” film. Pandey’s trailblazing contributions earned him the CLIO Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012, the Padma Shri, and he became the first Asian to serve as Cannes Lions jury president. Shefali Jariwala Actor and dancer Shefali Jariwala, best known for her iconic role in the 2002 music video Kaanta Laga, passed away on June 27, 2025, at the age of 42. Jariwala appeared in Bollywood films, including ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ (2004) alongside Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar. She was also a familiar face on television, partici- pating in reality shows like ‘Bigg Boss 13’ and ‘Nach Baliye’ (seasons 5 and 7) with her husband Parag Tyagi. Beyond enter- tainment, Jariwala was a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and women’s empowerment, openly sharing her battle with epilepsy. Achyut Potdar Veteran actor Achyut Potdar, best remembered for his role as a professor in Rajkumar Hirani’s ‘3 Idiots’, passed away on August 18 at Jupiter Hospital in Thane, his daughter Anuradha Para- skar confirmed. A seasoned performer, Potdar featured in over 125 films across a career spanning decades. His memorable dialogue “Arey kehna kya chahte ho” from ‘3 Idiots’ gained immense popularity on social media. He also appeared in no- table films such as ‘Aakrosh’, ‘Ardh Satya’, ‘Tezaab’, ‘Parinda’, ‘Rangeela’, ‘Vaastav’, ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’, ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ and ‘Dabangg 2’. Potdar was equally active on television, with roles in Bharat Ek Khoj, Pradhan Mantri and Agle JanamMohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, among others. Zubeen Garg Assam’s iconic singer Zubeen Garg passed away in Singapore on September 19, 2025, where he was attending the Northeast India Festival. A celebrated name in Indian music, Garg delivered memorable songs across Assamese, Hindi and Bengali languages, with ‘Ya Ali’ from the film ‘Gangster’ emerging as one of his most popular tracks. Beyond music, he also made a mark as an actor and direc- tor, debuting with Tumi Mor Matho Mor. His film credits include Prem Aru Prem, Dinabandhu, Mon Jaai, Mission China, Dr. Bezbaruah 2 and Roi Roi Binale. His demise has left a deep void in the cultural landscape of Assam and Indian music. Sreenivasan Renowned Malayalam actor, screen- writer, director and producer Sreenivasan passed away on December 20 at the age of 69, leaving behind a prolific legacy that shaped Malayalam cinema for over four decades. Born in 1956 in Kannur district, he was known for blending sharp social satire with accessible storytelling. Sreenivasan acted in over 225 films and wrote acclaimed screenplays including ‘Sandesam’, ‘Nadodikkattu’, ‘Midhunam’ and ‘Njan Prakashan’. As a filmmaker, his works ‘Vadakkunokkiyanthram’ and ‘Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala’ won major state and national honours. A multiple award winner, he was a key force behind Malayalam cinema’s golden era of comedy and social drama. He is survived by his wife Vimala and sons Vineeth and Dhyan Sreenivasan. Sandhya Shantaram Veteran actress Sandhya Shantaram, wife of legendary actor and filmmaker V. Shantaram, passed away in Mumbai on October 4, 2025. A celebrated name in In- dian cinema, she was best known for her performances in classics such as Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1958), Navrang (1959), Marathi film Pinjra (1972) and Amar Bhoopali. Her portrayal of the female lead in the iconic Marathi film Pinjra earned her widespread acclaim and remains one of her most memorable roles. During the 1950s and 1960s, Sandhya Shantaram worked extensively in both Hindi and Marathi cinema, primarily under the direction of V. Shantaram, leaving behind a rich cinematic legacy. The passing away of these eminent personalities has left a deep void in the entertainment industry. Veteran Kan- nada actor Umesh, Malayalam actor Vishnu Prasad, Marathi theatre stalwart Jyoti Chandekar, Tamil actor-comedian Robo Shankar, Kannada writer-director SS David, young Kannada actor Santhosh Balaraj, Tamil actor and music composer Madan Bob, veteran actress B. Sarojadevi, television and Marathi series actor Priya Marathe, and industrialist Sunjay Kapur were among those whose passing was widely mourned. From iconic performances and memo- rable comic roles to powerful writing, di- rection and music, each individual left an indelible mark through their craft. As we move into 2026, their work continues to resonate with people across generations. -ANI www.desitalk.com – that’s all you need to know Yearender: From Dharmendra To Kamini Kaushal, Icons Who Passed Away In 2025 15 January 2, 2026 COVER STORY Achyut Potdar Zubeen Garg Sreenivasan Sandhya Shantaram Rajvir Jawanda Piyush Pandey Jaswinder Bhalla Shefali Jariwala -Continued From Page 14 All Photos: ANI