Overview
Indian television and Marathi entertainment have lost a beloved performer. Priya Marathe, best known to a pan-India audience for playing Varsha in Pavitra Rishta, passed away on August 31, 2025, at the age of 38, following a battle with cancer. Early reports state that she breathed her last at her residence in Mira Road, Mumbai, in the early hours of Sunday. She is survived by her husband, actor Shantanu Moghe.
Her passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and fans across the Hindi and Marathi TV industries. Multiple national outlets confirmed the news and highlighted her popular turns in shows such as Pavitra Rishta, Kasamh Se, Saath Nibhaana Saathiya, and several acclaimed Marathi serials.
Who Was Priya Marathe?
Priya Marathe (1987–2025) was an Indian actor who worked across Marathi and Hindi television. Born on April 23, 1987, in the Mumbai region, she studied in the city and began her career in Marathi serials before transitioning to mainstream Hindi TV. National fame found her through Pavitra Rishta, where her nuanced portrayal resonated with audiences for years. She also featured in Kasamh Se and was seen in long-running Marathi shows like Char Divas Sasuche, Tu Tithe Me, and more recent titles.
Marathe’s work extended beyond daily soaps: she had stints in comedy and episodic formats as well, which showcased her range—from girl-next-door warmth to layered, negative shades. In personal life, she married actor Shantanu Moghe in 2012, and the couple remained a much-admired pair in Marathi entertainment circles.
Priya Marathe and Pavitra Rishta
For millions of viewers, Priya Marathe is inseparable from Varsha, a pivotal character in Ekta Kapoor’s popular series Pavitra Rishta. The show, led by Ankita Lokhande and the late Sushant Singh Rajput, became a cultural phenomenon. Marathe’s portrayal brought depth to family dynamics and moral dilemmas that defined the series. Media obituaries rightly foregrounded this role, citing it as her most recognizable contribution to Hindi television.
Early Life and Entry into Television
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Birth & Education: Born on April 23, 1987, in Mumbai; finished schooling and college in the city.
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Marathi TV Debut: Started with Ya Sukhano Ya and then Char Divas Sasuche, both marquee Marathi serials of their time. These early shows established her as a dependable, expressive performer.
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Hindi TV Breakthrough: Landed Vidya Bali in Kasamh Se, which opened doors to larger Hindi-language audiences and industry networks.
Career Highlights: Notable Roles and Shows
Priya Marathe’s two-decade journey featured a mix of family dramas, social narratives, episodic thrillers, and reality/comedy formats. Highlights include:
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Pavitra Rishta (Zee TV): As Varsha, she delivered one of her most remembered performances, navigating complex family arcs with conviction.
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Kasamh Se (Zee TV): Played Vidya Bali, expanding her footprint in Hindi dailies and earning praise for screen presence.
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Saath Nibhaana Saathiya (Star Plus): Appeared as Bhavani Rathod, a negative-shaded character that underlined her versatility.
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Bade Achhe Lagte Hain (Sony): Featured as Jyoti Malhotra, adding another high-visibility title to her filmography.
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Marathi Serials: Char Divas Sasuche, Tu Tithe Me, and newer work like Tuzech Mi Geet Gaat Aahe kept her connected to Marathi audiences that championed her from the outset.
Across these projects, Marathe moved fluidly between sympathetic and morally gray roles—an attribute colleagues often cite when recalling her craft.
Personal Life: Marriage and Family
Priya Marathe married Shantanu Moghe—an accomplished actor and son of veteran Marathi actor Shrikant Moghe. Their relationship often featured in entertainment coverage, with fans fondly engaging with the couple’s public posts and appearances. News features revisiting her last social posts with Moghe (shared in 2024) have resurfaced since her passing, a reminder of the personal warmth that endeared her to viewers.
Priya Marathe’s Death: Date, Cause, Age, and Place
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Date: August 31, 2025 (Sunday)
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Age: 38
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Place: Mira Road, Mumbai (at home)
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Reported Time: Around 4:00 AM IST
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Cause: Cancer, following a prolonged/extended battle per initial reports.
Several mainstream outlets across news and entertainment desks reported her demise almost simultaneously on Sunday, underscoring the reliability of the information. Some early headlines carried slight age discrepancies (36 vs 38), but her 1987 birth year and consistent reporting from multiple reputable publishers affirm 38 as the correct age.
Industry Reactions and Tributes
Colleagues from Pavitra Rishta and the broader TV fraternity expressed shock and grief. Veteran co-stars remembered her as diligent, warm, and resilient—particularly in the face of illness. Reflections shared in interviews capture both the professional respect she commanded and the personal affection she inspired on set.
What Made Priya Marathe Stand Out
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Versatility Across Genres: From family drama to negative roles and episodic thrillers, she adapted with ease—rare in daily-soap ecosystems that can pigeonhole actors.
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Regional–National Balance: She never abandoned her Marathi roots even as she amassed national recognition in Hindi television—preserving a dual audience base.
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Consistency and Craft: Across long-running shows, her performances remained steady—particularly in emotionally heavy arcs that demanded credibility and restraint.
A Brief Filmography Snapshot (Selected)
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Marathi Serials: Ya Sukhano Ya, Char Divas Sasuche, Tu Tithe Me, Tuzech Mi Geet Gaat Aahe.
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Hindi Serials: Kasamh Se (Vidya Bali), Pavitra Rishta (Varsha), Bade Achhe Lagte Hain (Jyoti Malhotra), Saath Nibhaana Saathiya (Bhavani Rathod).
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Other Work: Comedy/reality appearances and episodic roles that broadened her repertoire.
Legacy
Priya Marathe’s legacy lies in the emotional fidelity she brought to everyday characters. For audiences who grew up with Pavitra Rishta, she will remain Varsha—a character whose decisions sparked debate in living rooms and online forums alike. For Marathi viewers, she stands among the dependable anchors of prime-time storytelling. And for co-actors and crew, she is remembered as a colleague who showed up with discipline and kindness.
Her passing at 38 is a profound loss to Indian television—a reminder of how deeply TV actors become part of viewers’ daily lives. The love pouring in for her today is also an acknowledgment of the countless hours she spent honing scenes that made families laugh, cry, and reflect.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) Is Pavitra Rishta actor Priya Marathe really dead?
Yes. Multiple mainstream outlets reported her death on August 31, 2025, citing cancer as the cause.
2) What was Priya Marathe’s age at the time of death?
She was 38 (born April 23, 1987). Some early reports briefly mis-stated the age, but the consensus is 38.
3) Where did she pass away and at what time?
At her Mira Road residence in Mumbai, reportedly around 4:00 AM IST on August 31, 2025.
4) Who is Priya Marathe’s husband?
She was married to actor Shantanu Moghe.
5) Which roles is she best known for?
Pavitra Rishta (Varsha), Kasamh Se (Vidya Bali), Saath Nibhaana Saathiya (Bhavani Rathod), Bade Achhe Lagte Hain (Jyoti Malhotra), alongside acclaimed Marathi serials.
6) What was the cause of death?
She reportedly succumbed to cancer after a prolonged battle.
Final Word
Priya Marathe’s death is a heartbreaking moment for viewers who welcomed her into their homes for years. Through Pavitra Rishta and a rich body of Marathi work, she cultivated a quiet legacy of believable, rooted storytelling. As tributes continue to arrive, one truth stands out: she leaves behind characters and performances that will be revisited, remembered, and cherished for a long time to come.
