2016 has been a year of loss and suffering. This year, we lost many gems. From Jayalalithaa to Prince, the world lost some of its greatest legends. Let's take a trip down memory lane and look at the year that went by, and the stars that stopped shinning.
Marking an apogee to a vibrant career, National award winning actress Kalpana Ranjani took her last breath at the age of 51 in January owing to a sudden heart attack. Though her death might signal an end to her on screen presence, her idiosyncratic and quirky style will continue to linger in a million of minds.
Veteran British character actor Peter Vaughan, who played the enigmatic Maester Aemon in Game of Thrones', passed away at the age of 93. Vaughan's face - if not his name - was familiar to generations of television viewers in Britain and around the world.
Glenn Frey, a rock 'n' roll rebel from Detroit who journeyed West, co-founded the Eagles and with Don Henley became one of history's most successful songwriting teams with such hits as Hotel California' and Life in the Fast Lane', passed away in January. (Photo: AP)
Robert Vaughn, best known for playing the suave Napoleon Solo in 1960s television spy series, The Man from U.N.C.L.E' and the last surviving actor from the original Magnificent Seven' movie, died in November from leukaemia, his manager said. (Photo: AP)
Sooraj Barjatya's cousin Rajjat passed away in July. He died of cancer. Rajjat's death left the entire industry and near-dear ones mourning.
David Bowie, the innovative and iconic singer whose illustrious career lasted five decades with hits like Fame', Heroes' and Let's Dance', died after a battle with cancer. He was 69. (Photo: AP)
Leonard Cohen, rock music's man of letters whose songs fused religious imagery with themes of redemption and sexual desire, earning him critical and popular acclaim, passed away at age of 82 in November. (Photo: AP)
Alan Rickman, 60, died in London after secretly battling cancer. He started his acting career at the age of 41, yet has left his imprint on our mind with his amazing acting. He was often critically acclaimed for playing complex antagonist. (Photo: AP)
Popular TV actress Pratyusha Banerjee, who shot into fame as Anandi in celebrated drama series 'Balika Vadhu', committed suicide at her residence on April 1. As the investigation began, there were several speculations suggesting that her boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh had a role behind her death.
On June 1, Bollywood comedian Razak Khan passed away. He died of cardiac arrest. Razak, who made his acting debut on TV, worked in over 90 Bollywood movies.
J Jayalalithaa, the charismatic six-time Chief Minister who ruled the political arena and Tamil cinema world alike for decades on end, died at the Apollo Hospitals on December 6. Ms Jayalalithaa entered politics in 1983 on the prodding from her mentor in film industry the legendary M G Ramachandran. (Photo: PTI)
Malayalam actor Jishnu Raghavan Alingkil, who had been battling cancer for almost two years, passed away in March at a private hospital in Kochi, Kerala. Jishnu had appeared as a child artist in the movie 'Kilipatt' in 1987. But it was in 2002 that Jishnu made his acting debut as a male lead with 'Nammal'.
Veteran star Sulabha Deshpande passed away in June. She was considered as one of the finest theatre actresses. The actress bid adieu to the world at the age of 79 after a prolonged illness.
Noted South Indian film actor Kalabhavan Mani, known for his award-winning performance in Vasantiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum', passed away in March at a private hospital.
Noted film director Rajesh Pillai, 42, died in a private hospital in February due to liver-related complications. Mr. Pillai turned an independent director with the 2005 film 'Hridaythil Sookshikkan'.
Prince, one of the most inventive and influential musicians of modern times with hits including \"Little Red Corvette,\" ''Let's Go Crazy\" and \"When Doves Cry,\" was found dead at his home on April 21. (Photo: AP)
Rajesh Vivek, best known for his roles in Lagaan and Swades, died on January 14 due to a heart attack. The actor played different shades on the silver screen.
Gene Wilder, one of Hollywood's most iconic comic actors known for his delightfully hilarious performances, died at the age of 83. Wilder made his own space in the industry with films like The Producers,' 'Blazing Saddles,' Young Frankenstein,' Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,' and Stir Crazy' passed away early Monday morning at his home in Stamford, Connecticut.
2016 has been a year of loss and suffering. This year, we lost many gems.