Popular Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee died on Sunday in Odisha after a drowning accident in the sea at Talsari beach, news agency PTI reported, citing a film industry source.
Banerjee was 43 years old at the time of the accident, and is survived by his wife, actress Priyanka Sarkar, and his 13-year-old son.
“The crew was screaming, ‘Get him out of the sea!'”
According to Diganta Bagchi, who was Banerjee’s co-star in the Bengali serial ‘Bhole Baba Par Karega’, the 43-year-old actor went to the beach for the shoot.
“After today’s shoot, he went alone into the water but somehow got stuck in something underwater… The exact circumstances are unclear. Suddenly, people, including the crew members, shouted that Rahul was drowning and we pulled him out of the water. We rushed him to Digha Hospital, where doctors declared him dead,” news agency PTI quoted Bagchi as saying.
A West Bengal police officer said that the actor was declared dead at Digha Hospital.
“We have contacted our counterparts in Odisha to ascertain the sequence of events. A case of unnatural death has been registered at Digha police station as well. We are also talking to members of the production team and eyewitnesses,” the official told PTI.
CM extends his condolences
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday offered her condolences after the actor’s sudden death.
“I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news that the distinguished, young and popular actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee is suddenly no longer with us,” she wrote on X.
“I am unable to comprehend what exactly happened. He was one of my favorite actors and someone I truly admired. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family, loved ones and countless fans,” she said, adding that the actor’s death was an “irreparable loss to the Bengali entertainment industry, Tollywood and television.”
Rahul Arunoday Banerjee was a well-known face and name in the Bengali entertainment industry. He achieved great fame through his role in the blockbuster film “Chirodini tumi je amar” in 2008.
After that, he starred in the films “Tommy Aspy Ball” (2014), “Zulfiqar” (2016), “Byomkesh Gutro” (2018), “Biday Byomkesh” (2018), “Academy of Fine Arts” (2025), among others.
He also participated in television series such as “Harjori Base Hotel” and “Mahuna”.
(With inputs from PTI)
