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:

“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.