Praveena Deshpande, a veteran actress who acted in both Marathi and Hindi films, died on February 17, 2026, at 60 years old after her extended fight against multiple myeloma, which she had been battling since 2019. The family of Deshpande announced her passing through social media expressing their deep sorrow and gratitude for the support they received from their fans and supporters. The public conducted her final rites at a Hindu crematorium in Mumbai on the same day.
Deshpande received recognition for her detailed acting and ability to portray diverse characters in supporting roles across both film industries. She gained recognition for her outstanding performance as Shalini “Shalu” Chaudhary in the 2011 Salman Khan film “Ready,” which brought her widespread acclaim. Her final appearance on-screen occurred when she guest-starred in the 2026 crime thriller series “Taskaree,” which Neeraj Pandey directed and Emraan Hashmi starred in. She had recently finished shooting “The Family Man 3,” which added another important character to her extensive body of work because she played the mother of Manoj Bajpayee’s character.
Deshpande appeared in successful films beyond these highlights which included “Ek Villain” (2014), “Mumbai Meri Jaan” (2008) and “Jalebi” (2018). She made important contributions to television through her work in popular shows such as “Kulfi Kumar Bajewala,” “Kumkum,” and “Ghar Ek Mandir.” The entertainment industry mourns the loss of a gifted artist whose legacy will continue to inspire generations of actors and audiences alike.
