From Vaishali Takkar To Sushant Singh Rajput, 15 TV Actors Who Died By Suicide And Left Us Void

[Trigger Warning: This article contains textual/graphic references to suicide/death. Reader's discretion is strictly advised.]

The entertainment industry may look all decked up from the outside but has millions of stories dug inside. Stories of pain, agony, losses, failures, breakups, depression, and whatnot away from the limelight. It¡¯s the balancing rope that the stars walk on and if they slip, we lose them.

Out of all turbulence, some leave the industry, and some choose to leave the world. It¡¯s an unfortunate and uncalled-for situation that has left the fans in a void when they lose their favourite star. Here¡¯s a heartbreaking list of 15 Indian television stars who we lost by suicide over the years:-

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1. VAISHALI TAKKAR

Popularly known for her stint in Sasural Simar Ka, Laal Ishq and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, actress Vaishali Takkar died by suicide on October 15th, 2022 at her Indore residence. A five-page suicide note was recovered from her which mentioned one of the reasons as harassment by her former boyfriend, Rahul Navlani.

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2. SANDEEP NAHAR

Actor Sandeep Nahar reportedly died on February 15, 2021, at his Mumbai residence. He starred in the TV series Kehne Ko Humsafar Hain and films like ¡®MS Dhoni: The Untold Story¡¯ and ¡®Kesari¡¯. In a message that he shared on Facebook hours before passing away, he expressed having been disappointed with his life on both personal and professional levels.

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3. V.J. CHITRA

Chitra Kamaraj popularly known as V.J. Chitra was a nationally known Tamil TV presenter. She passed away by suicide mysteriously on 9th December 2020 in a hotel room of village Nazarethpettai. A trial found out that her fiance abetted her death although her case still remains under investigation. Chitra who rose to fame with the daily soap Pandian Stores made her acting debut with Calls in 2021.

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4. SAMEER SHARMA

TV actor Sameer Sharma who became a household name by playing pivotal roles in Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Ye Rishte Hai Pyaar Ke and Jyoti left the world in shock on 4th August 2020. With no note retrieved, his body was found two days after his death. Sharma also featured in the film Hasee Toh Phasee (2014).

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5. SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT

Sushant Singh Rajput started his career as a TV actor. After impressing in daily soaps like Pavitra Rishta and Kis Desh Mein Hai Mera Dil, the PK actor ruled Bollywood in his active years. Last seen in Dil Bechara, Sushant died by suicide on 14th June 2020 at his Bandra residence. Back then his death had triggered rage in the country as many people claimed that he was allegedly murdered.

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6. PREKSHA MEHTA

Tu Aashiqui actress Preksha Mehta passed away on 25th May 2020. She who also made an appearance in Akshay Kumar¡¯s Padman left a heartbreaking note on her Instagram story, the night she died. ¡®Sabse bura hota hai sapno ka marr jaana¡¯ were her last words that assumed that the actress was at unrest in her personal life.

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7. MANMEET GREWAL

Unable to pay his bills and find work during the lockdown unlike many others in the country, Manmeet Grewal left the world for his heavenly abode on 15th May 2020. The 32-year-old actor featured in TV shows like Aadat Se Majboor and Kuldeepak. Manmeet is survived by his wife who he married in 2018 and his parents who stay in Punjab.

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8. SEJAL SHARMA

The Dil To Happy Hai Ji actress Sejal Sharma passed away in her Mumbai residence on 25th January 2020. A suicide note that was recovered by police deciphered as "I can't take the pressure of this hard life." Although her friends and family denied such claims as Sejal had multiple lead roles of TV shows in hand.

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9. KUSHAL PUNJABI

Lakshya actor Kushal Punjabi left the world on 26th December 2019 at the age of 42. He was found dead at his Bandra residence and was said to be suffering from depression. As stated in his suicide note, he had distributed his property among his parents and son before dying by suicide. Debuted in television with A Mouthful Of Sky in 1995, Kushal went on to star in close to 40 daily soaps and reality shows.

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10. PRATYUSHA BANERJEE

Balika Vadhu fame Pratyusha Banerjee died on 1st April 2016 leaving the entire TV industry in shock. As per medical reports, Pratyusha who also appeared in Bigg Boss and Jhalak Dikhla Jaa died because of asphyxia. But the actress' parents accused her boyfriend Rahul of murdering her and passing the false news of death. Despite her career being as brief as six years, Pratyusha was a known household name of her time.

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11. SAI PRASHANTH

Popular comic and actor of the Tamil TV industry Sai Prashanth who rose to fame with the serial Thamarai left the world on 15th March 2016. He reportedly died by mixing poison in his drink and consuming it. His death highlighted a concern of actors suffering heavily on the personal front. TV artists Charukesh, Vaishnavi and Shraddha also passed away around the same time as Sai, leaving the country heartbroken.

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12. DISHA GANGULY

Bengali actress Disha Ganguly died on 9th April 2015. A case of unnatural death was lodged in her case and the investigation ran for a longer time unfolding multiple loops of her life. Disha became a household name with serials like Kanakanjali and Tumi Ashbe Bole. There were rumours of her same-sex relationship with another actress who unfortunately also died by suicide soon after knowing about Disha¡¯s demise.

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13. VIVEKA BABAJEE

The face of the Kamasutra campaign who was one of the top models of her time, Viveka Babajee was said to be lonely in her personal life. Soon after a fallout with her boyfriend, Viveka died by suicide on 25th June 2010. This Mauritius-origin model was once a most loved FTV India host and also walked the ramp for designers like Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla.

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14. KULJEET RANDHAWA

The TRP creator of Zee TV¡¯s Hip Hip Hurray, Kuljeet Randhawa replaced Shweta Salve on the show and registered her merit. The Kohinoor actress who entered the industry as a model rose to fame by starring in C.A.T.S. Soon after completing her film, By Chance, the Kumkum actress died by suicide on 8th February 2006. In her case as well, it was reported that the ever-popular star lost her life to the darker shades of showbiz.

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15. NAFISA JOSEPH

Country¡¯s favourite MTV Jockey Nafisa Joseph left the world too early and also at a career point when she had everything in life. She was a TV host which multiple channels vouched to make their shows run. A winner of Miss India Universe 1997, Nafisa died on 29th July 2004 in her Mumbai residence. She appeared in multiple TV shows like MTV Housefull, C.A.T.S., Style and also had a brief cameo in Taal (1999).

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Disclaimer: If you know someone who is having suicidal thoughts or is suffering from a serious mental illness, reach out to a nearby doctor, mental health expert, or an NGO for immediate help. Here are few helplines which may help:-

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