Acting

Aparna Vastarey

Died 11 July 2024

**Aparna Vastarey** (1966 – July 11, 2024), known mononymously as **Aparna**, was a celebrated Indian television presenter, actress, and voice artist renowned for her pristine Kannada diction and dignified screen presence. She made her acting debut in Puttanna Kanagal's classic *Masanada Hoovu* (1984) and appeared in films like *Inspector Vikram* (1989) before becoming the defining face of Doordarshan’s DD Chandana throughout the 1990s. Beyond her extensive career as an anchor and All India Radio jockey, millions recognize her voice as the official Kannada announcer for Bengaluru's Namma Metro. In private television, she gained widespread popularity in serials like T. N. Seetharam's *Mukta* and reached newer generations as the eccentric character Varalakshmi on the hit comedy show *Majaa Talkies*. A contestant on the inaugural season of *Bigg Boss Kannada* (2013), Aparna passed away in Bengaluru in July 2024 at age 57 after battling lung cancer.