Actor Prashant Tamang, who got noticed as the winner of Indian Idol 3 and for his chilling role as an assassin in the second season of Paatal Lok, passed away on Sunday following a cardiac arrest. He was 43.
The news was confirmed by singer and close friend Mahesh Sewa, who informed PTI that Tamang died at his residence in Janak Puri.
"He (Tamang) passed away this morning around 9 am due to cardiac arrest at his residence in Delhi. He was taken to the hospital by his family, but the doctors declared him dead on arrival. I'm shocked by his untimely demise. I spoke to him a few days ago, and he was hale and hearty," he said. "His body is still at the hospital. The family is yet to decide whether to perform the funeral in Delhi or Darjeeling," he added.
Born on January 4, 1983, in Darjeeling, into a Nepali-speaking Gorkha family, Tamang worked in the West Bengal Police in the same post as his father after the latter's demise. An opportunity to showcase his singing talents came his way when he participated in the reality show Indian Idol in 2007, upon the insistence of his friends.
Before he made his acting debut in the Nepali feature Gorkha Paltan in 2010, he released his first music album, Dhanyavaad, which was followed by concerts in the country and abroad. Other movie appearances include Angalo Yo Maya Ko, Kina Maya Ma, Nishani, Pardesi, and Kina Mayama. He last appeared in the upcoming Salman Khan-starrer Battle of Galwan, slated for an April 17 release.
Tamang is survived by his wife, Geeta Thapa, and four-year-old daughter Ariah Tamang.