A video of Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee from the sets of his show Bholebaba Paar Karega is circulating on social media following news of his untimely death at 43.
Rahul reportedly drowned at Talsari beach in Odisha during the shoot. While some reports suggest he had stepped away from the set to visit the beach, others claim he fell into the sea from a boat. It is being reported that the actor did not know how to swim.
He was pulled out of the water by members of the crew and rushed to a hospital in Digha around 6 pm, where he was declared dead before receiving medical attention. A post-mortem is scheduled for March 30.
Video captures moments before incident
The now-viral clip shows Rahul preparing for a shot with a female co-actor near a car, surrounded by a crowd of onlookers. At one point, the co-actor gestures for silence, placing a finger on her lips as the crew gets ready to roll.
The video has drawn attention online as one of the last visuals of the actor before the incident.
The East Midnapore district police have confirmed Rahul’s death, with Additional Superintendent of Police Atish Biswas stating that the cause was drowning. A detailed medical report is expected after the post-mortem.
Rahul is survived by his wife, Priyanka Sarkar, and their son Shohoj. The two had met during the filming of Chirodini Tumi Je Amar, separated in 2017, and reconciled in 2023 while continuing to co-parent their child.
Condolences from industry and leaders
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief over the actor’s demise, calling it a major loss for the Bengali entertainment industry. She wrote in Bengali, “I am shocked, deeply saddened, and grief-stricken to learn that eminent, young and popular actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee is no longer among us. I cannot understand how this happened. He was an actor and a person I was very fond of. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his grieving family, loved ones, and countless admirers. His sudden passing is an irreparable loss to the Bengali acting world, as well as to Tollywood and the television industry. ”
Actor Jeet also paid tribute, writing, “Gone far too soon… it’s a stark reminder of how uncertain life truly is,” while offering condolences to the family.
