Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee dies after drowning accident in Talsari at 43, Bengali industry pays tribute

The Bengali film industry is in shock following the sudden demise of Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, who passed away after a drowning incident in Talsari. He was 43 and was in the middle of a shoot.

What happened

According to reports, Rahul drowned while visiting Talsari, a coastal destination near the Odisha–West Bengal border. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still being ascertained, but initial accounts suggest that he was caught in the water and could not be rescued in time.

It is being reported that the actor went boating in the sea after pack up on Sunday, March 29. He was then caught in the waves, creating panic among the team. He was also rescued and rushed to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

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Speaking about the incident, his co-actor Diganta Bagchi told PTI, “After today’s shoot, he went alone to the water but somehow got entangled in something under the water… The exact circumstances are not clear. Suddenly, people, including crew members, were shouting that Rahul was drowning and we pulled him out of the water. We rushed him to Digha hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.”

Wife Priyanka Sarkar reacts

Rahul’s wife, Priyanka Sarkar, expressed her grief in an emotional statement, calling it a time of “immense grief and deep despair.”

Sharing a note on Instagram, she wrote, “This is a time of immense grief and deep despair for us. In this difficult moment, we sincerely request space and privacy. There is a child, a mother, a family, and loved ones trying to navigate this loss together. We kindly urge our friends and colleagues in the media to respect our boundaries, refrain from intrusion, and allow us the dignity to grieve in peace. Your understanding and support mean more than ever at this time.”

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee pays tribute

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also paid tribute and wrote in Bengali, “I am shocked, deeply saddened to hear the news that the distinguished, young, and popular actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee is suddenly no longer among us. I am unable to comprehend what exactly happened. He was one of my favourite actors and a person I truly admired. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family, loved ones, and countless admirers. Rahul’s sudden passing is an irreparable loss to the Bengali entertainment industry.”

বিশিষ্ট, তরুণ ও জনপ্রিয় অভিনেতা, রাহুল অরুণোদয় ব্যানার্জি হঠাৎ আর আমাদের মধ্যে নেই, এই খবর পেয়ে আমি হতচকিত, মর্মাহত ও শোকাহত।

কী করে যে কী হয়ে গেল, আমি কিছুই বুঝে উঠতে পারছি না। সে আমার খুব পছন্দের অভিনেতা ও মানুষ ছিল।
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তাঁর শোকসন্তপ্ত পরিবার, পরিজন ও অগণিত অনুরাগীদের…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 29, 2026

Industry in shock

The news sent shockwaves across Tollywood, with several prominent names mourning his passing. Actors like Jeet, Dev, Subhashree Ganguly and Parambrata Chatterjee paid tribute, remembering him as a talented performer and a warm colleague.

“Deeply saddened to hear about his sudden passing. Gone far too soon… it’s a stark reminder of how uncertain life truly is. May his soul rest in peace. Strength and prayers to his family. RIP Rahul. Om Shanti,” Jeet wrote on X.

Dev, who did a special dance number called Paante Taali in Chirodini Tumii Je Aamar, wrote, “Rest in peace bhai.” Parambrata Chatterjee wrote on Facebook, “I have no words left to say.” Subhashree Ganguly, who worked with Rahul in the series Indubaala Bhater Hotel, shared a photo on her Instagram Story and wrote, “Eto kiser tara chilo tor, chhoto?”

Many expressed disbelief at the suddenness of his death, with some revealing they had spoken to him shortly before the incident, underscoring how unexpected the loss was.

His filmography and legacy

Rahul Arunoday Banerjee was a well-known face in Bengali cinema and television, known for his versatility and strong screen presence. He became a household name with his debut film, Chirodini Tumi Je Amar, where he shared screen with Priyanka Sarkar. It released in 2008.

His filmography includes projects like:

-Chaka (2000)

-Hangover (2009)

-Meghe Dhaka Tara (2012)

-Zulfiqar (2016)

-Rappa Roy & Full Stop Dot Com (2025)

-Puropuri Eken series (2025)

Rahul acted in the 2025 film Academy of Fine Arts and was part of the serial Bhole Baba Par Karega. He was shooting for Bhole Baba Par Karega when the accident happened. He was also seen in the web series Thakumar Jhuli.

Over the years, he built a steady body of work across films, television and digital platforms, earning a loyal audience.

He is survived by his wife and their child.