Film fraternity mourns the death of Bollywood filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar

Noted Bollywood filmmaker and writer Pradeep Sarkar passed away at a Mumbai hospital on March 24, 2023. His last rites were performed at a crematorium in Santacruz, Mumbai.

According to media reports,  Sarkar was on dialysis when his potassium level dropped and condition deteriorated. He was admitted to the ICU of Lilavati hospital and breathed his last at 3:30 am.

Sarkar's wife Panchali told the media, “According to doctors, he had many comorbidities which weakened his immunity. His blood pressure was fluctuating. Since COVID-19 hit him in July 2022, he was quite weak."

The 67-year-old was known for his films such as Parineeta, Laga Chunari Mein Daag, Mardaani, and Helicopter Eela. Parineeta in 2005 was Sarkar's directorial debut and won him the National Film Award in the Best Debut Film of a Director category.

Sarkar also bagged the "Best Debutant Director" in Screen Awards, the "Hottest Young Director" at Stardust Awards in 2006 and five Filmfare Awards. He has also directed web series, including Forbidden Love, Arranged Marriage, and Cold Lassi Aur Chicken Masala. Moreover, he directed iconic music videos of songs like Euphoria’s ‘Dhoom Pichak Dhoom’, ‘Maaeri’, and Shubha Mudgal’s ‘Ab Ke Saawan’.

The film fraternity grieved the loss and tweeted heartfelt tributes to the legendary director:

Actress Neetu Chandra mourned the loss and shared that Pradeep Sarkar was her first director. They worked together on a footwear advertisement.

"The news of Pradeep Sarkar’s demise, ‘Dada’ to some of us is still hard to digest," Actor Ajay Devgn said.

Filmmaker Kunal Kohli expressed grief and dedicated the 'Piyu Bole' song from Sarkar's Parineeta.

"Thank you for the love and for making me a small part of your life," Actor Abhishek Bachchan tweeted.