The tragic demise of popular actor Rahul Arunoday Bandyopadhyay on March 29 has left the Tollywood industry in a state of profound shock. On March 30, a sea of fans and colleagues gathered at his residence, where actor Gaurav Chakrabarty and his wife Ridhima Ghosh were seen inconsolable. For them, Rahul was far more than a co-star; he was an integral part of their family.

In an emotional social media tribute, Gaurav reminisced about the deep bond he shared with Rahul, whom he considered an elder brother. From encouraging Gaurav’s writing to standing by him during personal crises, Rahul’s absence has left a massive void. Gaurav expressed deep concern over the “lack of clarity” and potential “negligence” surrounding the incident at the shoot. He and Ridhima have vowed to raise their son, Dheer, by telling him stories of his beloved ‘Jethu’ (uncle).

The actor passed away after drowning during the shoot of the Star Jalsha serial ‘Bhole Baba Paar Karega’ at Talsari. The post-mortem report confirmed that prolonged immersion led to the intake of saltwater and sand into his system, causing fatal pulmonary edema. The industry continues to demand answers regarding safety protocols on sets.