London: Famous Carnatic musician Bombay Jayashri was on Friday admitted to a hospital here after suffering a brain haemorrhage. She was on a short visit to the UK.

Family sources said that keyhole surgery was performed urgently to avoid further damage. Reports suggest that her condition was not critical and that the surgery can rectify her health issues.

Jayashri was to perform at a concert to be held at the Yoko Lennon Centre of Liverpool University.

Jayashri Ramnath, aka Bombay Jayashri, has sung in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi films. Jayashri, who is also a 2021 Padma Shri awardee, was recommended by the Madras Music Academy for this year’s Sangita Kalanidhi Award last Sunday.

Filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar, who introduced actress Vidya Balan in films, passed away at a hospital in Mumbai on Friday. The director was best known for movies ‘Parineeta’ and ‘Mardaani’. He was 67. Pradeep was admitted to the ICU of Lilavati hospital in suburban Bandra following a fever.

“He passed away between 3.10 am and 3.30 am at Lilavati hospital,” his wife told PTI. He had viral fever on March 22. After administering some medicines his fever subsided but not completely. So he was rushed to the hospital, she said.

“By the time we reached the hospital, his vitals started dropping. He was put on a ventilator in the ICU and was diagnosed with pneumonia. The infection attacked his lungs,” the director’s wife said. “According to doctors, he had many comorbidities which weakened his immunity. His blood pressure was fluctuating. Since Covid-19 hit him in July 2022, he was quite weak,” Panchali said.

Sarkar made his directorial debut with ‘Parineeta’ in 2005. Some of his other directorial ventures include ‘Laaga Chunari Mein Daag’ (2007), ‘Lafangey Parindey’ (2010),  and ‘Helicopter Eela’ (2018). 

Vidya Balan had once said the director, who worked with her in a couple of ads, was convinced that she would be perfect to play Lolita, the heroine in ‘Parineeta’. Actress Neha Dupia has also revealed that it was Pradeep who launched her through his music video.

Many celebrities offered their condolences through social media. Ajay Devgn said he is unable to fathom the news about Sarkar’s demise. “The news of Pradeep Sarkar’s demise, ‘Dada’ to some of us, is still hard to digest. My deepest condolences. My prayers are with the departed and his family. RIP Dada,” Devgn wrote.

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta shared a picture of the director on Twitter and wrote, “Pradeep Sarkar. Dada. RIP.”

Responding to Mehta’s tweet, actor Manoj Bajpayee said he was shocked. “Ohh! That’s so shocking! Rest in peace Dada!!,” he said.

Filmmaker Kunal Kohli remembered him as a sweet man. He shared the clip from the song ‘Pihu Bole’ from the movie ‘Parineeta’ on social media.

“Shocked and sad to hear about Dada Pradeep Sarkar. Really sweet man. Had lovely conversations about cinema with him. RIP Dada. Here’s a song from your film to celebrate you and your cinema,” he said in the post.

(with PTI inputs)

Tamil actor Ajith Kumar’s father, P S Mani passed away at his residence in Chennai on Friday morning. The actor’s father was suffering from a prolonged disease. He was 85. According to a statement issued by his sons, including Ajith Kumar, P S Mani passed away in his sleep. The news was shared on social media by Ajith Kumar’s manager.

P S Mani leaves behind his wife Mohini and three sons, Anup Kumar, Ajith Kumar and Anil Kumar.

Stating that the last rites will be a family affair, his sons requested their well-wishers to respect their wishes ‘to grieve privately and deal with their father’s death with as much equanimity and dignity as possible.”

Many celebrities, including Sarath Kumar, G M Sundar and Khusbhu Sundar expressed their condolences to Ajith’s family. “Nothing can ease the pain of losing a parent. Deepest condolences to #AjithKumar and his family at the demise of his father Thiru. Subramaniyam avl. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanthi,” wrote Khusbhu.

(with IANS inputs)