Kavita Krishnamurthy mourns Pyarelal's wife Sunila, 78
Synopsis
Sunila Sharma, wife of legendary Bollywood composer Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma, has passed away at 78. Her funeral at Mumbai’s Santacruz Crematorium saw the wheelchair-bound composer perform the last rites himself — a quietly moving moment that drew tributes from across the Hindi film fraternity, including Kavita Krishnamurthy and Subhash Ghai.
Key Takeaways
Sunila Sharma , wife of composer Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma , passed away at the age of 78 .
Last rites were performed at Santacruz Crematorium , Mumbai , on Monday .
Pyarelal , unable to walk due to old age, performed all funeral rituals from a wheelchair .
Singer Kavita Krishnamurthy and filmmaker Subhash Ghai led tributes from the film fraternity on Instagram .
The family described Sunila as ‘a pillar of unconditional love’ who ‘lived a life of grace, devotion and quiet strength.’
Veteran playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy has paid tribute to Sunila Sharma, wife of legendary music composer Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma of the iconic Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo, who passed away at the age of 78. The singer shared her condolences on Instagram, posting a throwback photograph alongside a heartfelt note addressed to the bereaved family.
Kavita Krishnamurthy's Tribute
In her caption, Krishnamurthy wrote: “My heart goes out to Pyarebhai for the great loss of Sunila Bhabhi in his life. She was a very affectionate and warm person and devoted her entire life to Pyarebhai. May God give him and his family courage. I shall always remember her sweet, smiling face.” The post, accompanied by a throwback image of the three together, drew an outpouring of responses from the film fraternity.
Last Rites at Santacruz Crematorium
Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma performed his wife’s last rites at the Santacruz Crematorium in Mumbai on Monday. Owing to age-related mobility difficulties, the veteran composer carried out all the rituals while seated in a wheelchair. Sunila’s passing was formally announced through a statement issued by her extended family.
The family’s statement read: “Amma lived a life of grace, devotion and quiet strength, a pillar of unconditional love to all who knew her. While our hearts are heavy, we find comfort knowing she is finally at peace. Your work here is beautifully finished, Amma. Rest in eternal peace.”
Film Fraternity Pays Respects
Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai also mourned the loss on Instagram, sharing a recent photograph that featured Sunila, Pyarelal, his daughter Muskaan, and himself. In his note, Ghai wrote: “Sunila Pyarelal, wife of great music duo #luxmikant’s Pyarelal, left us yesterday, and I could not believe it as myself, with my daughter, went to visit Pyarelal ji home last month to greet both of them. And we had a lovely time.” Several other members of the Hindi film industry also expressed grief over her demise.
Sunila Sharma: A Life of Devotion
Sunila Sharma was widely remembered within the fraternity as a quietly devoted presence behind one of Bollywood’s most celebrated musical partnerships. Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma, alongside the late Laxmikant Kudalkar, composed music for over 600 films across four decades, making the Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo one of the most prolific in Hindi cinema history. Sunila’s steady support through those decades was acknowledged by those who knew the family closely.
As the fraternity continues to mourn her loss, tributes reflect not just the passing of a composer’s wife, but of a woman who was, by all accounts, a cornerstone of her family’s life.
Point of View
Yet those who knew the duo consistently credit her as the steadying force. That the fraternity’s tributes emphasise her warmth and devotion — not her husband’s achievements — suggests she was known and respected in her own right.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sunila Sharma?
Sunila Sharma was the wife of veteran Bollywood music composer Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma, one half of the iconic Laxmikant-Pyarelal duo. She passed away at the age of 78 and was remembered by the film fraternity as a devoted and warmhearted person.
Where were Sunila Sharma’s last rites held?
Her last rites were performed at the Santacruz Crematorium in Mumbai on Monday. Composer Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma, who has mobility difficulties due to old age, conducted all the rituals while seated in a wheelchair.
How did Kavita Krishnamurthy pay tribute to Sunila Sharma?
Kavita Krishnamurthy shared a throwback photograph on Instagram with Pyarelal and Sunila, along with a note expressing grief and offering prayers for the family. She described Sunila as ‘a very affectionate and warm person’ who ‘devoted her entire life to Pyarebhai.’
What did Subhash Ghai say about Sunila Sharma’s passing?
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai posted on Instagram that he could not believe the news, as he and his daughter Muskaan had visited Pyarelal’s home just the previous month to meet both Pyarelal and Sunila. He shared a photograph from that visit alongside an emotional tribute.
Who is Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma?
Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma is one half of the legendary Laxmikant-Pyarelal music duo, which composed music for over 600 Hindi films across four decades. The duo is widely regarded as one of the most prolific and celebrated composing partnerships in Bollywood history.
