Prarthana Behere recalls Priya Marathe’s last visit to her Alibaug villa, says, "she was happy, told me your house, atmosphere are healing me”

Prarthana Behere recalls Priya Marathe’s last visit to her Alibaug villa, says, "she was happy, told me your house, atmosphere are healing me”

On August 31, the Marathi entertainment industry lost one of its brightest and most beloved artists. Actress Priya Marathe, known for her radiant smile, her soulful performances, and her boundless warmth, passed away after a long and brave battle with cancer. She was only 38.

For those who knew her closely, Priya was more than an actress. She was a force of joy, resilience, and compassion. Among the many who shared their grief, actress Prarthana Behere’s words captured the depth of their friendship and the enormity of the loss. On Instagram, Prarthana who had worked with her in Pavitra Rishta, poured her heart out:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Prarthana Behere Jawkar 💜 (@prarthana.behere)

Story continues below Advertisement

Remove Ad

“Priya, Piyu, Pari, Pri… she was not just a co-actor for me, she was my dearest friend. My crazy one… ❤️
We shared a home together. We would sit for hours talking… Maggi, bhurji, coffee — that was our little world.
She was my first real friend in the industry, my true soulmate. With her I found myself, I learned to laugh, cry, and be free.
She was so cheerful, honest, emotional, and filled with affection that even a moment spent with her became unforgettable.”

Their friendship was rooted in shared beginnings, in laughter and late-night conversations, in the comfort of everyday rituals. Priya’s presence, as Prarthana remembers, was like a warm embrace during uncertain times, especially in the early days of her acting career.

Even as cancer weakened her body, Priya’s spirit remained unshaken. She lived each moment with grace, with humor, and with an unwavering will to spread happiness. There was a brief period during her illness when her health seemed to improve. It was then that she visited Prarthana’s villa in Alibaug, a memory that Prarthana cherishes as a gift of time.

“We — Priya, Shalmali, and I — spent such a beautiful time together that day,” she recalls. “She was very happy. At one point, she quietly said to me, ‘Your home, your atmosphere, your dogs… all of this is healing me. Being here makes me feel better, as if this place itself is healing me.’”

In the quiet of that day, Priya revealed not only her vulnerability but also her ability to find beauty and healing in the smallest of things.

Also Read: Hema Malini sells two apartments in Mumbai’s Oshiwara for Rs 12.50 Crore

When news of her passing came, the industry and her fans were left heartbroken. But as Prarthana wrote, Priya’s essence continues to live on:

“Cancer may have taken her body, but it could never touch her spirit, her courage. Till the last breath, she taught us how to live and how to smile. She has gone, but her memories, her laughter, and the radiance she brought to her art will always remain with me. A part of my life went away with her, and I will keep that part safe forever.”

Priya Marathe’s journey reminds us of the fragile beauty of life, and the enduring power of friendship. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and artistry. Though gone too soon, she will forever remain alive in the hearts of those who loved her and in the stories she told through her performances.