Bollywood actor Kushal Punjabi was found dead at his home in Pali Hill, Mumbai on Thursday night, with reports claiming that the star hanged himself.
According to the police, Punjabi left a note at the scene, telling his family that half of his assets should be divided amongst his parents and sister and the other half left to his three-year-old son, Kian.
Less than 24 hours before his death, Kushal had posted a picture of his son on his Instagram story.
His final Instagram post came three days ago which was a filtered picture of himself cuddling Kian, captioned with heart emojis.
Karanvir Bohra expressed his shock on social media, writing: ‘Your demise has shocked the hell out of me. I’m still in denial, Kushal Punjabi.
I know you are in a happier place, but this is unfathomable. The way you lead your life really inspired me in more ways than one…. but what was I to know.
Your zest for dancing, fitness, off-road biking, fatherhood and above all that, that smiling face of yours, your happy-go-lucky nature your warmth all that was such ingenuity.
I’m gonna miss you so much #kushlani. You will always be remembered as a guy who lived a full life.’
Kushal’s best friend Chetan Hansraj reflected on discovering the sad news in a media interview:
“His parents called me up late at night and said that Kushal isn’t opening the door. We called the chabbi wala and when we opened the door and we found his body hung over the ceiling.
We were all shocked and I still cannot believe that this has happened. We tried CPR but it was too late.”
He further adds, “He was normally depressed, like sad. We used to chat about it. No one ever thought he would take such a step.”
The reason for suicide is currently not known and speaking about this, Chetan expresses:
“I didn’t know. I also got to know after. He did not confide in me about what the scene was. One month ago only he said about the situation.
He was a bit low but never thought he would take such a drastic measure.”
Hansraj has mentioned that the last rites will be performed on 28th December and his wife flies back from France with his son today.
Kushal was a star across TV shows, reality TV and movies, having starred in films including Lakshya, Kaal, Salaam-e-Ishq and Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal.
He appeared on reality series such as Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Fear Factor and won the 2011 series of Zor Ka Jhatka, the Indian version of Wipeout.
Some of his TV roles included Love Marriage, Hum Tum and Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa.
May his soul rest in peace.
