5. Abis Rizvi

The terror attack at the waterside Reina nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey on January 1 killed at least 39 people and injured 40 others. Among the dead were two Indians, real estate tycoon and film producer Abis Rizvi and Khushi Shah. Abis was close friend of Salman Khan. This was the reason why when Abis’s film ‘Ror: Tiger of Sunderban’ (2014) was released, Salman promoted it.
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The Year of Loss: Remembering the 5 Closest Bollywood Celebrities Salman Khan Lost in 2017

The world of cinema often appears as a glittering facade, but behind the flashing lights and box office numbers lies a deeply interconnected, human industry. For a star of Salman Khan’s stature, who has worked for decades and is known for his loyalty and close-knit relationships, the bonds formed on and off-screen often run deeper than professional courtesy.

The year 2017 proved to be a particularly poignant and difficult period for the superstar, as he grappled with a series of profound personal and professional losses. In the span of just seven months, five individuals who were either close friends, mentors, or beloved co-stars—people who represented pivotal relationships in his film career and personal life—passed away. The year served as a grim reminder of the fragility of life, impacting not just Salman Khan but the entire fraternity that revered these artists.

Here is a heartfelt remembrance of the five closest Bollywood celebrities Salman Khan lost in 2017.

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1. Om Puri: The Master Collaborator and Guiding Light

The wave of loss began early in the year with the passing of legendary actor Om Puri on January 6, 2017. A stalwart of both parallel and commercial cinema, his death due to a massive heart attack at the age of 66 left a void that remains unfilled.

Om Puri’s connection with Salman Khan was rooted in memorable on-screen collaborations that showcased his versatility, moving seamlessly between lighthearted and intensely dramatic roles.

A Powerful On-Screen Partnership:

• A Father Figure in Bajrangi Bhaijaan: Om Puri delivered a heartwarming performance as a peace-loving Maulvi in the 2015 blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan, a film that resonated deeply with themes of cross-border harmony.
• The Final Collaboration in Tubelight: Tragically, Om Puri’s last finished film was Salman Khan’s Tubelight, which was released posthumously in July 2017. Salman Khan was visibly emotional while promoting the film, sharing his grief over the loss of a great person and co-star.

Om Puri was more than a colleague; he was an institution whose presence elevated every frame. His loss was not just Salman’s but a significant setback for global cinema.

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2. Abis Rizvi: The Close Friend and Producer

Just days before Om Puri’s passing, Bollywood was shaken by an international tragedy that claimed the life of film producer and close friend of Salman Khan, Abis Rizvi. Abis Rizvi was one of the two Indian nationals killed in the horrific terrorist attack at the Reina nightclub in Istanbul, Turkey, on January 1, 2017.

A Friendship Beyond the Set:

• Personal Ties: Abis Rizvi, a builder and film producer, was known to be a close friend of the Khan family. The personal nature of this bond was evident when Salman Khan’s sister, Arpita Khan Sharma, posted a heartfelt tribute on social media, expressing her shock and grief at his sudden departure.
• Professional Support: Abis Rizvi was the producer of the 2014 film Roar: Tigers of the Sunderbans, which Salman Khan actively promoted, further cementing their professional and personal camaraderie.

The tragic and violent circumstance of his death underscored the random cruelty of fate, marking a devastating start to the year for Salman and his family.

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3. Vinod Khanna: The Iconic On-Screen Father

The month of April brought another monumental loss with the demise of veteran actor, producer, and politician Vinod Khanna on April 27, 2017. He passed away at the age of 70 after a brave battle with advanced bladder carcinoma (bladder cancer).

Vinod Khanna was a superstar of the 70s and 80s, revered for his stunning good looks and powerful screen presence. In the later stages of his career, he developed one of Bollywood’s most cherished on-screen pairings with Salman Khan—that of the father and son.

The Dabangg Legacy:

• The Dabangg Father: Vinod Khanna played the iconic role of Prajapati Pandey, the strict yet loving father to Salman’s character Chulbul Pandey in the highly successful Dabangg series. Their chemistry was pitch-perfect, adding depth and emotional weight to the action-comedy franchise.
• Other Collaborations: The duo also shared the screen in films like Wanted (2009).
• The Loss: Salman Khan had previously worked with Vinod Khanna in many films over the years. Following his passing, a deeply saddened Salman fondly remembered him during the promotions of Tubelight, calling him a “great person” and “our hero”. The loss of Vinod Khanna was so significant that his brother, Pramod Khanna, later stepped in to reprise his role for Dabangg 3 as a tribute to the late actor. In 2018, Vinod Khanna was also posthumously honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest cinematic award.

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4. Reema Lagoo: The Quintessential Mother

Just weeks after Vinod Khanna’s death, Bollywood experienced one of its most emotional losses: the passing of actress Reema Lagoo on May 18, 2017. She died at the age of 59 following a cardiac arrest.

Reema Lagoo was the definitive Bollywood mother of the 90s, playing the gentle, modern, and compassionate matriarch to nearly every leading star of the era. Her bond with Salman Khan was arguably the most famous.

Salman’s On-Screen Mother in 7 Films:

• The Iconic Pair: Reema Lagoo played Salman Khan’s mother in a staggering seven films, becoming inextricably linked with his superstardom. Their collaboration began with the blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) and continued through films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), Saajan (1991), Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999), and Judwaa (1997).
• A Real-Life Bond: The warmth they shared transcended the screen, with their terms in real life described as being like a mother-son. Reema Lagoo herself had reportedly called Salman her favourite on-screen son. Salman expressed his sadness publicly, noting he was shooting when he heard the news.

Her death was deeply mourned as she represented an era of wholesome family entertainers and the ideal mother figure for an entire generation of film lovers.

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5. Inder Kumar: The Close Colleague and Friend

The fifth and final loss in this unfortunate sequence came with the sudden death of actor Inder Kumar on July 28, 2017. He passed away at the young age of 43 due to a massive heart attack.

Inder Kumar had a career that saw him in over 20 Bollywood films, but he was particularly known for his strong ties to Salman Khan.

A Supportive Friendship:

• A Recurring Co-Star: Inder Kumar played supporting roles, often as a friend or brother to Salman Khan, in multiple films. Their notable joint projects included Wanted (2009), Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge (2002), and Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (2000).
• Mutual Support: It is noted that Salman Khan was a source of support for the actor, offering him roles when his career faced difficulties. His closeness to Salman was well-known within the industry.

His untimely passing in the prime of his life added a further layer of sorrow to what was already a difficult year for the Bollywood fraternity and Salman Khan personally.

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A Year of Reflection

The five losses that Salman Khan and the wider Bollywood community endured in 2017—Om Puri, Abis Rizvi, Vinod Khanna, Reema Lagoo, and Inder Kumar—represent more than just a list of names. They embody a range of relationships central to a megastar’s life: a spiritual guide and collaborator, a close personal friend, a revered father figure, a beloved on-screen mother, and a dependable close colleague.

The shared grief over these departures highlighted the deep emotional investment and familial bonds that often develop in the industry. For Salman Khan, 2017 was a year that forced reflection, as he saw five people who were intimately connected to his life, career, and films depart the world, leaving behind powerful legacies and a star who felt their absence deeply.

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AISEO Friendly FAQs

Q1: Who were the five Bollywood celebrities closest to Salman Khan who passed away in 2017?

A: The five Bollywood celebrities closest to Salman Khan who passed away in 2017 were Om Puri, Abis Rizvi, Vinod Khanna, Reema Lagoo, and Inder Kumar.

Q2: How was Reema Lagoo connected to Salman Khan?

A: Reema Lagoo was famously known as Salman Khan’s quintessential on-screen mother, having played the role in at least seven of his blockbuster films, including Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, and Hum Saath-Saath Hain. They reportedly shared a real-life bond akin to a mother and son.

Q3: Which of the five celebrities that Salman Khan lost in 2017 was not an actor?

A: Abis Rizvi was a close friend and a film producer, best known for producing the movie Roar: Tigers of the Sunderbans, which Salman Khan had promoted. He tragically passed away in the 2017 Istanbul nightclub terrorist attack.

Q4: What was Vinod Khanna’s relationship with Salman Khan on-screen?

A: Vinod Khanna was known for playing the authoritative yet loving father figure to Salman Khan on-screen. Their most famous collaboration in this dynamic was as the father-son duo, Prajapati Pandey and Chulbul Pandey, in the popular Dabangg film series, and also in the film Wanted.

Q5: What was the cause of death for the actors who passed away in 2017?

A: The causes of death were:

• Om Puri (January 6, 2017): Massive heart attack.
• Vinod Khanna (April 27, 2017): Advanced bladder carcinoma (bladder cancer).
• Reema Lagoo (May 18, 2017): Cardiac arrest.
• Inder Kumar (July 28, 2017): Massive heart attack.
• Abis Rizvi (January 1, 2017): Killed in the Istanbul nightclub terrorist attack.