Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff on Friday, 30 October 2026, paid homage to legendary filmmaker V. Shantaram on his 36th death anniversary, sharing a monochrome photograph of the cinema icon on social media. Shroff also used the occasion to remember two other luminaries who passed away on the same date — ghazal maestro Begum Akhtar and actor Vinod Mehra.

Tribute to V. Shantaram

In the black-and-white image shared by Shroff, V. Shantaram appears dressed in a white shirt and cap, holding what appears to be a script or document, with film equipment visible in the background. Alongside the photograph, Shroff wrote: 'Remembering V Shantaram ji on his death anniversary.'

Born Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre in Kolhapur on 18 November 1901, V. Shantaram was among the earliest pioneers of Indian cinema. Across a career spanning over six decades, he wore multiple hats — director, producer, screenwriter, editor, and actor. His body of work includes cult classics such as Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani, Duniya Na Mane, Shakuntala, Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje, Do Aankhen Barah Haath, Navrang, and Pinjara. He was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1985 and was posthumously conferred the Padma Vibhushan in 1992. He was married to Vimalabai, actress Jayashree, and actress Sandhya, and had seven children from his first two marriages.

Remembering Begum Akhtar

Shroff's second tribute was for Begum Akhtar, widely celebrated as the Mallika-e-Ghazal — the Queen of Ghazals. He shared her picture seated with a harmonium, pairing it with her iconic composition Ulti Ho Gayi Sab Tadbiren. Revered for her ghazals, thumris, and dadras, Begum Akhtar passed away on 30 October 1974, aged 60, after falling ill following a concert. Her passing remains one of the most profound losses in the history of Hindustani classical music.

A Nod to Vinod Mehra

The actor's third tribute was reserved for Vinod Mehra, who appeared in over 100 films during his career, including Ghar, Jaani Dushman, Nagin, and Khuddar. Mehra died of a heart attack on 30 October 1990, aged just 45, cutting short a prolific screen career.

October 30: A Day of Remembrance for Indian Cinema

The convergence of three anniversaries on 30 October makes it a quietly significant date in India's cultural calendar. That a single day marks the loss of a visionary filmmaker, a towering classical vocalist, and a versatile screen actor speaks to the depth of talent that defined mid-twentieth-century Indian entertainment. Shroff's simultaneous tributes to all three underscore the enduring reverence for artists who shaped the country's cultural identity well before the digital era.