Marathi actress Ashwini Ekbote died today after collapsing on stage during a performance in Pune.
The 44-year-old, who had also acted in several plays, was performing at the Bharat Natya Mandir in Pune when she collapsed on stage, a police official said.
She was taken to a nearby hospital where she was declared dead, the official added.
Ashwini had made her debut with Akleche Kande (2001) and went on to star in Dumkata (2007) and Baavare Prem He (2014).
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Last year, the actress had made news when she claimed her co-passenger had behaved badly with her while travelling to Pune. Ashwini Ekbote preferred to keep a low profile as an actress. Her strength was entering the skin of the character. Her chemistry with actor Sharad Ponkshe was famous. Sharad also directed her in the Marathi play ‘Eka kshanaat’.
Ashwini’s friends from the Marathi film industry took to social media to share their shock at the news. Actress Sonali Kulkarni wrote on Twitter, “This is extremely shocking!!! Dear friend Ashwini Ekbote no more! So young, so fit, so full of life..! RIP.”