"Rahul da insisted on an unscripted drone shot."
The Bengali film industry is mourning the tragic death of popular actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee during a recent shoot.
The 43-year-old star passed away on March 29, 2026, while filming near the Talsari beach in Odisha state.
He was working on a series titled Bhole Baba Paar Karega when a drowning incident occurred at sea.
Director Subhashis Mondal explained that the actor insisted on performing an unscripted drone shot despite the primary filming ending.
“The shoot had ended and most of the cast left, but Rahul da insisted on an unscripted drone shot.”
The team was filming honeymoon scenes in knee-deep water with his co-star Sweta Mishra before the accident.
The actress felt uneasy after a small wave hit her and decided to leave the water immediately.
Rahul wanted a second take facing the camera, and he moved deeper into the water against the team’s advice.
“The entire team requested him (to come out of water), but he didn’t listen.”
A much larger wave caused the actor to slip and swallow a significant amount of water during the shot.
The crew and lifeguards jumped in to rescue him before rushing the unconscious actor to a nearby hospital.
He reportedly responded twice during the transport, but the medical staff pronounced him dead upon his arrival at Digha.
“He was brought to the hospital around 6:10 pm. He had passed away by the time our doctors examined him.”
Cops from the Digha coastal police station reached the medical facility soon after they received the tragic news.
Police officials have registered an unnatural death case and are currently questioning members of the production crew for details.
The post-mortem examination will take place at the Contai Sub-divisional Hospital on Monday morning to find the cause.
Initial evidence suggests a heart attack followed by drowning, but the official report will confirm the exact medical reason.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her deep grief over the sudden loss of her favourite and talented actor.
“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.
“Rahul’s sudden departure is an irreparable loss for the Bengali acting world, Tollywood, and Tellywood.”
Raj Chakraborty, who directed his breakthrough film titled Chirodini Tumi Je Amar, shared his thoughts on the tragic event.
“He played a character that was completely different from the larger-than-life heroes Bengali cine goers were used to watching back then.
“It is unfortunate that he didn’t reach his zenith.”
Actor Sudipta Chakraborty remembered Rahul Arunoday Banerjee as a person with a heart of gold.
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