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Yearender 2021: And these bright stars faded away

As we are all set to ring into 2022, let’s take a look back at famous personalities across the world who left for heavenly abode in 2021.

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Yearender 2021: Famous personalities who died in 2021

By Shruti Kaushal

With the Covid pandemic unrelenting in its second year, the grim reaper found his way into many famous homes taking away their residents. Untimely demises due to death by suicide to accidents, we bid adieu to notable politicians, artists, celebrities, journalists, who inspired people with their creativity, humanity, and notable works.

With 2022 barely a fortnight away, let’s take a look at the bold and the beautiful who left for us in 2021.

Dilip Kumar

Born as Yousuf Khan, legendary Dilip Kumar enthralled Indian cinema lovers with his unmatched acting. The actor’s actor passed away on July 7, 2021, after prolonged age-related ailments leaving Indian cinema poorer and desolate in the age of OTTs pipping theatres and multiplexes. He was 98.

Mannu Bhandari

Renowned novelist and teacher, Mannu Bhandari was popular for her short stories and novels like Mahabhoj and Aap Ka Bunty. She passed away on November 15, 2021, in Gurugram. She was 90.

Sidharth Shukla

Bigg Boss 13 winner actor Sidharth Shukla shot to fame through his stint in Colors TV serial Balika Vadhu. He went on to appear in Karan Johar’s film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and several reality shows which gained him wide recognition. Sidharth passed away on September 2, 2021, due to a massive heart attack. He was 40.

Kamla Bhasin

The flagbearer of feminism in India, Kamla Bhasin raised awareness about gender inequalities and their consequent rights through her poetry, songs, and books. She passed away on September 25, 2021, after she was diagnosed with an advanced form of liver cancer. She was 75.

Danish Siddiqui

Pulitzer Prize-winning Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui was killed on July 16, 2021, while covering a clash between Afghan and Taliban security forces. Later, the reports said that Siddiqui was tortured by the Taliban after verifying his identity. He was 38. He had shot to fame with his images chronicling the devastation the second wave of Covid-19 wreaked across Delhi with his pictures of burning funeral pyres in East Delhi.

Puneeth Rajkumar

Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar passed away due to a cardiac arrest on October 29, 2021. He was 46 and his last rites were performed in Karnataka. The youngest of the three sons of Kannada film legend Rajkumar who held his own in the film-rich South India.

Rohit Sardana

Popular Indian television anchor Rohit Sardana succumbed to Covid-19 complications on April 30, 2021. He was 41 and is survived by his wife and 2 daughters. 

Shravan Rathod

Shravan Rathod of the Nadeem-Shravan duo died due to Covid-19 complications on April 22, 2021. He was one of the most-accomplished music composers of the Hindi music industry. His notable works are Dil Hai Ki Maanta Nahin, Saajan, Sadak, to name a few.

Raj Kaushal

Indian producer-director Raj Kaushal passed away on June 30, 2021, after suffering a heart attack. He was 50 and is survived by his wife Mandira Bedi and two kids. His last directorial, Akkad Bakkad Rafu Chakkar released on November 2 this year.

Bikramjeet Kanwarpal

Bollywood actor Bikramjeet Kanwarpal died on May 1, 2021, after battling against Covid-19. He was 52 and had been a part of blockbuster films, TV shows, and web series. 

Babasaheb Purandare

Padma Vibhusan Babasaheb Purandare was an Indian author and historian who passed away on November 15, 2021. He died due to age-related ailments and pneumonitis.

Nandu Natekar

Nandu Natekar, an ace Indian shuttler, was the first Indian to win a title abroad in 1956. He bagged over 100 national and international titles for the nation. He died on July 28, 2021, due to age-related medical complications. He was 88.

Surekha Sikri

Noted Indian actor Surekha Sikri died on July 16, 2021, due to a cardiac arrest. She was 75 and was ailing for a long time. Her remarkable body of work includes Badhaai Ho, Tamas, Mammo, Zubeidaa, Parinati, Nazar, and others.

Yashpal Sharma

Yashpal Sharma, India’s 1983 World Cup hero, died due to a massive heart attack on July 13, 2021. He was 66 and is survived by his wife, a son, and two daughters.

Milkha Singh

India’s Flying Sikh, Milkha Singh died on June 18, 2021, after a month-long battle against Covid-19. The Padma Shri awardee had lost his wife to the pandemic. He was 91 and is survived by his son and three daughters.

Sunderlal Bahuguna

Chipko Movement leader and Indian environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna succumbed to the coronavirus on May 21, 2021, at AIIMS, Rishikesh. He was 94.

Vinod Dua

Senior Indian journalist Vinod Dua died on December 4, 2021, after a prolonged illness following a Covid-19 infection. He was 67. In 2008, he was honoured by the Padma Shri for Journalism by the Government of India. Like Milkha Singh, Vinod Dua also lost his wife to the pandemic.

Ghanshyam Nayak

Ghanshyam Nayak aka Nattu Kaka in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah passed away on October 3, 2021. He was 77 and was battling cancer for a long time.

Nanda Prusty

Indian teacher Nanda Prusty died on December 7, 2021. He had been awarded the Padma Shri on November 9 for his contribution in the field of education and social service. He was 104.

General Bipin Rawat

The first Chief of Defence Staff of the Indian armed forces, General Bipin Rawat, died on December 8, 2021, in a helicopter crash. Thirteen of the fourteen people boarded on the Mi-17V5 helicopter, including Bipin Rawat’s wife Madhulika Rawat were killed in the crash. The lone survivor passed away in less than a week.

James Michael Tyler

James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther in the popular American sitcom F.R.I.E.N.D.S., died on October 24, 2021. He was 59 and was battling prostate cancer.

Barry Harris

American jazz pianist Barry Harris died on December 8, 2021. He was 91 and passed seven days before his 92nd birthday due to Covid-19 complications. In 2000, Barry was honoured with the American Jazz Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievements and Contributions to the World of Jazz.

Dusty Hill

ZZ Top bassist Dusty Hill passed away on July 28, 2021. He is said to have died in his sleep at his residence in Houston, Texas. He was 72.

Charlie Watts

Charlie Watts, the drummer of the Rolling Stones, died on August 24, 2021. He was 80. The musician is regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time, and the quietest of the famously raucous Stones.

Don Everly

Don Everly was the last surviving member of the Everly Brothers. He died on August 21, 2021, and the cause of his death has not been confirmed yet. He was 84.

Christopher Plummer

Renowned Canadian actor and Broadway star Christopher Plummer died on February 5, 2021. He was 91. As per reports, he had complications from a fall. The male lead of the Sound of Music is a world-renowned star.

Phil Spector

Phil Spector died on January 16, 2021, due to Covid-19 complications. He was 81. The American musician and record producer was sentenced to jail for the murder of a woman at his residence. 

Anne Rice

The Vampire Chronicles fame Anne Rice passed away on December 11, 2021. She was 80. Her novel, Interview With A Vampire, became a popular film that featured Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. 

Bob Dole

The Republican Party’s 1996 presidential nominee and a five-term US senator, Bob Dole died on December 5, 2021. He was 98.

FW de Klerk

FW de Klerk, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, served South Africa as state president. He passed away on November 11, 2021, due to mesothelioma. He was 85. South Africa’s long walk back from the mindlessness of Apartheid was under his regime but under threat of severe economic sanctions.

Colin Powell

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former US Secretary of State, Colin Powell died due to Covid-19 complications on October 18, 2021. He was 84.

Willie Garson

American actor Willie Garson, who played the role of Stanford Blatch on the popular TV series Sex and the City, died on September 21, 2021. He was 57. As per reports, the actor was suffering from pancreatic cancer. 

Michael K Williams

Michael K. Williams, known for his character Omar Little in The Wire, passed away on September 25, 2021. He was 54 and died due to an accidental drug overdose.

Donald Rumsfeld

US Defense Secretary during Iraq War, Donald H. Rumsfeld died on June 29, 2021. He was 88. After losing political support, he resigned in late 2006 and published an autobiography, Known and Unknown and Rumsfeld’s Rules: Leadership Lessons in Business, Politics, War, and Life.

Prince Philip

The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip was the longest-serving royal consort in British history. He died at the age of 99 on April 9, 2021. 

Paul Mooney

Paul Mooney, the Bamboozled star, passed away on May 19, 2021. The actor-comedian suffered a massive heart attack at his residence in Oakland. He was 79.

Sabah Fakhri

Sabah Fakhri was the flagbearer of traditional Arabic music Muwashahat and Qudud Halabiya. He died a natural death on November 2, 2021. He was 88.

Chick Corea

Chick Corea, the American jazz composer, passed away on February 9, 2021, due to a rare form of cancer. He was 79. His notable compositions include La Fiesta, Spain, 500 Miles High, and others.

Larry Flynt

American publisher Larry Flynt passed away on February 10, 2021. He was 78 and had a net worth of $500 million when he died.

Richard Donner

American filmmaker Richard Donner died on July 5, 2021, due to cardiopulmonary failure with atherosclerosis. 

BJ Thomas

Veteran American singer BJ Thomas died on May 29, 2021. The five-time Grammy winner succumbed to complications due to lung cancer. He was 78.

Michael Collins

Michael Collins was the astronaut who flew the Apollo 11 command module Columbia around the Moon in 1969. He was the one who didn’t exit the module, his other famous co-passengers were Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. He died on April 28, 2021, following a long battle against cancer.

Jim Steinman

Noted American composer Jim Steinman died on April 19, 2021, due to kidney failure. He was 73. He shot to fame with his albums like Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell, Total Eclipse of the Heart to name a few.

Walter Mondale

Former Vice President of the United States Walter Mondale passed away on April 19, 2021. He died a natural death.

Rush Limbaugh

Renowned American radio personality Rush Hudson Limbaugh died on February 17, 2021. He succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 70.

DMX 

Earl Simmons aka DMX was an accomplished American rapper and actor. He passed away on April 9, 2021, due to a cocaine-induced heart attack that led to a lack of circulation to his brain, as per reports. He was 50.

Stephen Sondheim

Best-known for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim died on November 26, 2021. He succumbed to cardiovascular disease at the age of 91.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who became popular as South Africa’s anti-apartheid icon, passed away on December 26, 2021. Reportedly, he was battling prostate cancer since the early 1990s and was hospitalised in recent years. He was 90. In 1984, he won the Nobel Peace Prize for combatting white minority rule in South Africa.

India News

China hits back with 34% retaliatory tariffs on US goods as trade war intensifies, files complaint in WTO

: China has imposed a 34% tariff on all US imports starting April 10 and introduced rare earth export restrictions. The move comes after the US announced harsh tariffs on Chinese goods.

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China US trade war

In a sharp escalation of the ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies, China on Friday announced a 34% retaliatory tariff on all goods imported from the United States, effective April 10. The move follows the US decision to impose similar steep tariffs on Chinese products earlier this week.

Beijing’s finance ministry confirmed that this additional tariff will be levied on top of the current applicable tariff rates already in place. The announcement marks another chapter in the worsening trade tensions between the two nations, with global economic ramifications.

Rare earth export curbs signal broader pushback

Alongside the tariffs, China’s Commerce Ministry unveiled export controls on seven rare earth elements, including gadolinium and yttrium, which are critical in medical imaging and consumer electronics. The restriction on these materials could impact industries heavily reliant on Chinese supply chains.

The move is widely seen as a strategic countermeasure, given China’s dominance in the global supply of rare earth minerals, which are vital to several high-tech sectors.

Legal battle looms at WTO

Further intensifying the standoff, China announced plans to file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO) challenging the US-imposed tariffs. The complaint is aimed at defending China’s trade interests and international rights under WTO regulations.

Triggered by US tariff hike under Trump

This rapid escalation was sparked after US President Donald Trump imposed 10% tariffs on a wide range of imports and introduced additional duties of 34% specifically on Chinese goods. The new tariffs are part of a broader protectionist strategy, but they risk triggering a global trade disruption.

In response, Beijing has vowed to implement “countermeasures” to safeguard its economic interests. The tit-for-tat measures highlight the deteriorating trade relationship and could have lasting impacts on global markets and supply chains.

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Entertainment

Val Kilmer, iconic star of Top Gun and Batman Forever, dies at 65

Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, best known for roles in Top Gun and Batman Forever, has died at 65 following a battle with pneumonia.

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Val Kilmer death, Top Gun Iceman, Batman Forever actor, Hollywood actor dies 2025, Val Kilmer career, Val Kilmer movies

Veteran Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, known for his powerful performances in blockbuster films like Top Gun, Batman Forever, The Doors, and Heat, passed away at the age of 65 in Los Angeles. His daughter, Mercedes, confirmed he died of pneumonia. Kilmer had previously battled throat cancer, diagnosed in 2014, and had undergone a tracheotomy that affected his voice and limited his screen appearances.

Remembering a multifaceted performer

Born Val Edward Kilmer on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, he was the youngest student ever admitted to the prestigious Juilliard School at age 17. Kilmer’s early work in comedies like Top Secret! and Real Genius quickly brought him into the limelight. His career skyrocketed with the role of Iceman in Top Gun (1986), starring opposite Tom Cruise.

Kilmer’s portrayal of Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991) earned acclaim for its intensity and authenticity. His role as Doc Holliday in Tombstone and as part of the ensemble cast in Michael Mann’s Heat further solidified his standing in Hollywood. In 1995, Kilmer stepped into the iconic cape and cowl as Batman in Batman Forever, following Michael Keaton.

Tributes pour in

Filmmaker Michael Mann paid homage, calling Kilmer’s talent “brilliant and variable” and said the news was “tremendously sad.” Actor Josh Brolin remembered him as “smart, brave and uber-creative,” while British actor David Thewlis called him “extraordinary” and a “friend.” Actor Will Kemp and others remembered Kilmer for his generosity and unique presence on set.

US actor Josh Gad credited Kilmer for shaping the films of his childhood, while James Woods lauded his unforgettable performance as Doc Holliday.

A legacy beyond the screen

Kilmer, who married actress Joanne Whalley in 1988 and had two children with her, was also a visual artist, drawing inspiration from his film characters. In 2021, he released Val, a deeply personal documentary composed of decades of personal video footage, showcasing the ups and downs of his career and life post-cancer.

Despite health setbacks, Kilmer made a memorable return to the screen in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), once again portraying Iceman. His brief but emotional appearance was praised by fans and co-star Tom Cruise alike.

Film critics and industry insiders agree: Kilmer was never just another leading man. With an unpredictable, often edgy screen persona, he brought depth and complexity to every role he played.

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Latest world news

Iran puts missile defence on standby after Trump’s bombing comment

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US airstrikes in Yemen: 31 killed after Donald Trump launches large-scale strikes on Houthis

Iran’s armed forces have positioned missiles capable of hitting US-affiliated sites globally, the Tehran Times reported hours after US President Donald Trump threatened to “bomb” the country in response to nuclear negotiations with Tehran.

The report noted many of these missiles are housed in underground silos across Iran, engineered to withstand airstrikes.

On Sunday, Trump had told journalists that if Iran failed to meet US demands it would face unprecedented bombing. The bombing, Trump, said will be of a scale Iran has never seen before.

He also pointed towards reinstating secondary tariffs on Iran and its trade partners, suggesting that a decision would be made in the following weeks based on Tehran’s response.

The Tehran Times reported that Iran’s military is poised with missiles capable of striking US-related targets amid Trump’s ongoing threats of military intervention if an agreement on the nuclear programme isn’t reached. During his presidency, Trump withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which had placed strict restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump reaffirmed that his administration remains open to talks, but emphasized that Iran must show its commitment to curtailing its nuclear endeavors.

In response to Trump’s remarks, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the issue through state media. He rejected the idea of direct negotiations with the US but acknowledged the possibility of continuing indirect discussions, facilitated by Oman.

“The supreme leader has also indicated that indirect negotiations can proceed. We do not shy away from negotiations; rather, their unreliability has caused issues for us. They must demonstrate their ability to create trust regarding their decisions, and I hope this will happen,” Pezeshkian was quoted as saying. In summary, tensions are escalating as Iran prepares its military capabilities in response to Trump’s threats, while diplomatic efforts continue on a potentially indirect basis.

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