Celebrated Bollywood costume designer Bhanu Athaiya, the first person from India to win an Oscar, had died at the age of 91 on 15 October 2020, according to media reports.
She was apparently bedridden for the past few years after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2012, her family is reported to have mentioned. She died peacefully in the city of Mumbai. Athaiya was renowned for designing costumes for top filmmakers in a career that spanned nearly five decades. She shared an Oscar for her work on a biopic about Mahatma Gandhi in 1983.
The invitation by British filmmaker Richard Attenborough to work on the film about the Indian independence leader shot her to global prominence. She shared the award for the Best Costume Design with acclaimed British designer John Mollo.