Death robbed entertainment and music industry of icons like Rajesh Khanna, Dara Singh, Yash Chopra and legendary sitarist Ravi Shankar, who bid adieu to the world in 2012.

The music world lost sitar maestro Ravi Shankar at the age of 92.

The ailing music icon, who was a recipient of the Bharat Ratna in 1999, died after undergoing a heart-valve replacement surgery in a California hospital in December. The three-time Grammy winner is remembered for popularising Indian music in the global arena.

Filmmaker Chopra's death in October came as a shock for Bollywood and his fans. The director seemed full of life as he finished work on his Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma starrer Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

Chopra had announced his retirement from filmmaking on his 80th birthday, just weeks before his death. He was planning to spend some time with his wife after working endlessly for years but fell victim to dengue fever.

The director gave Hindi cinema gems like Trishul, Deewar, Silsila, Lamhe, Chandni and Dil to Pagal Hai. His swan song Jab Tak Hai Jaan was released in grand style after his death and did well at the box office.

With the death of yesteryear heartthrob Rajesh Khanna in July this year, the era of innocent romance came to an end in Indian cinema.

The man, who was hailed as Bollywood's first superstar and inspired fanatic devotion among his fans in his hey-days, died peacefully at his home after making several trips to hospital.

At the time of his death at 69, Khanna's death returned his lost glory as fans turned out in huge numbers to make his final journey memorable.

Khanna defined innocence and love through his innumerable hits like Aradhana, Do Raaste, Anand, Amar Prem and Safar.

Film industry lost a familiar face with the demise of character actor Achala Sachdev at the age of 91. The actress, who featured in the famous song 'Aye Meri Zohra Jabeen', started her career as a child actor. She later moved on to character roles of mother and grandmother in films like Waqt and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.

Wrestler-actor Dara Singh, the beloved Hanuman of Ramayana, lost his battle with illness at the age of 84.

An undisputed champion in the wrestling ring, Singh was probably the only wrestler to make a successful transition into acting. The actor did memorable roles both on the big and small screen.

A K Hangal, who portrayed the roles of a beloved uncle, father, grandfather and a doting servant in Hindi cinema, died at the age of 98. He played memorable roles in films like Sholay, Shaukeen, Namak Haram, Aaina, Avtaar, Arjun, Aandhi, Kora Kagaz, Bawarchi, Chitchor, Guddi, Abhimaan, Anamika and Parichay.

Filmmaker Raj Kanwar, who directed movies like Laadla, Deewana, Andaaz, Judaai and Jaan, passed away in February following kidney failure.

Actor Joy Mukherjee, the star of films like Love in Shimla, Ek Musafir Ek Hasina and Shagird, died at the age of 73 due to respiratory problems.

Director B R Ishara also passed away this year. The 77-year-old director introduced many talented faces to cinema through his unconventional films like Chetna and Ek Nazar. He was apparently suffering from tuberculosis. Ishara also wrote and directed films like Hum Do Hamare Do and Zaroorat in the 70s.

Cinematographer Ashok Mehta who shot Bandit Queen lost his battle with lung cancer.

Malayalam actor Thilakan died at the age of 74 following a heart attack.

The entertainment world lost one of its most talented comedians Jaspal Bhatti in a tragic traffic accident. The 57-year-old actor and two others were travelling to Jalandhar from Bathinda for the promotion of his new film Power Cut when the car hit a tree on the roadside on October 25.

Bhatti was behind hits like Flop Show and Ulta Pulta during the golden days of Doordarshan in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The shows highlighted the problems faced by the common man in a lighthearted way. He also played memorable roles in films.