Bengali cinema and television mourn the sudden loss of actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, who died on Sunday, March 29, at Talsari in Digha near the Odisha-West Bengal border. He was 43.
He was filming a TV serial called Bhole Baba Par Karega. After the shoot, he went into the sea alone and went missing, causing panic among the crew. The team pulled him out and took him to Digha Subdivisional Hospital, but doctors declared him dead at 6:10 PM. He is survived by his wife, actor Priyanka Sarkar, and their son.
Wife shares first statement
Priyanka Sarkar posted on Instagram and Facebook and issued her first public statement, saying, "This is a time of immense grief and deep despair for us. In this difficult moment, we sincerely request space and privacy. There is a child, a mother, a family, and loved ones trying to navigate this loss together. We kindly urge our friends and colleagues in the media to respect our boundaries, refrain from intrusion, and allow us the dignity to grieve in peace. Your understanding and support mean more than ever at this time."
Filmmaker Raj Chakraborty, who directed Rahul Banerjee in his breakthrough film, told PTI, "After I received phone calls about his death, I wished it was not true. But later it was confirmed. I am in a state of shock." He described the actor as spontaneous, with immense potential. Actor-director Anjan Dutta also shared his grief, saying he had known Banerjee for many years but was too shocked to talk in detail about the incident.
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CM expresses grief
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed sadness over Rahul Banerjee’s sudden death. She said she was shocked and offered her condolences to his family, friends, and fans, calling it a huge loss for Bengali cinema. She wrote, "Distinguished, young, and popular actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee is suddenly no longer among us—this news has left me stunned, heartbroken, and grief-stricken. I just can’t make sense of how this happened. He was one of my favourite actors and a wonderful person. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family, loved ones, and countless admirers."
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Banerjee's work and achievements
Rahul Banerjee became famous with the 2008 film Chirodini Tumi Je Amar and acted in movies like Tumi Asbe Bole (2014), Zulfiqar (2016), Byomkesh Gotro (2018), Biday Byomkesh (2018), and The Academy of Fine Arts (2025). On TV, he appeared in shows like Hargouri Pice Hotel and Mohonna. Rahul Banerjee’s sudden death is a heartbreaking loss to Bengali cinema and television. Fans and loved ones continue to mourn the death of a talented actor.
