Did You Know Amitabh Bachchan’s Sooryavansham co-star Soundarya was pregnant and planning to quit acting before tragic plane crash

Amitabh Bachchan’s Sooryavansham co-star Soundarya was pregnant and planning to quit acting before tragic plane crash

April 17, 2025, marks 21 years since the tragic death of beloved South Indian actress Soundarya, who lost her life in a plane crash near Bangalore in 2004. Known across India for her iconic role opposite Amitabh Bachchan in the Hindi film Sooryavansham, Soundarya left behind a legacy of talent, grace, and a heart-wrenching story that still resonates with fans.

At the time of her untimely demise, Soundarya was two months pregnant and had recently expressed her desire to step away from acting. In a 2019 interview, acclaimed Tamil director R V Udayakumar revealed that Soundarya had personally called him to say that the Kannada remake of Chandramukhi would be her final film. She had chosen to prioritize her family and the new chapter she was entering into as a mother.

"She called me after finishing her shoot and told me it would be her last film because she was pregnant. That day, she spoke to me and my wife for nearly an hour. The very next day, I saw the news of her death on television. It was a shock I will never forget," Udayakumar emotionally recalled.

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Soundarya had a deep bond with the director and even referred to him as her brother. Udayakumar recounted how moved he was when he visited her home and saw a large photo of himself hanging on the wall. “I could not control my tears,” he said, reminiscing about the overwhelming grief of that visit.

On the day of the accident, Soundarya was en route to Karimnagar to campaign for BJP and Telugu Desam Party candidate Ramesh Kadam, accompanied by her brother and producer Amarnath. Sadly, their aircraft caught fire shortly after takeoff and crashed, killing everyone on board.

Soundarya’s death remains one of the most heartbreaking tragedies in Indian cinema. Despite her short life, her impact on film and her enduring presence in the hearts of fans across generations continues to shine.