Priya Marathe, Pavitra Rishta actor, dies at 38 after cancer

Actress Priya Marathe, best known for her role as Varsha in the television soap Pavitra Rishta, died on Sunday morning, August 31, at her home in the Mira Road area of Mumbai after a prolonged battle with cancer. She was 38. Media reports said Marathe had been undergoing treatment for roughly a year but her condition deteriorated and she could not recover. One report placed the time of death at about 4 a.m.

Marathe’s passing prompted an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues across social media and the television industry, many of whom noted her versatility across Marathi and Hindi programming. She is survived by her husband, Marathi actor Shantanu Moghe; the couple married in April 2012.

Born on April 23, 1987, and raised in Mumbai, Marathe began her career in Marathi television, making early appearances in Ya Sukhano Ya and Char Divas Sasuche. She later expanded into Hindi television and film, winning wider recognition for roles in Balaji Telefilms productions such as Kasamh Se, in which she played Vidya Bali, and Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, where she appeared as Jyoti Malhotra. Her portrayal of Varsha Satish Deshpande and the comic turn as Jhumri Balan Singh on Pavitra...