'Hit by a wave': Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee dies while shooting for series in Odisha

DIGHA/KOLKATA: Actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee (43), a popular face in the Bengali film, OTT and television industry, died on Sunday while shooting for a series called 'Bhole Baba Paar Karega' off the Talsari beach in Odisha, around 8km from Digha.

Subhashis Mondal, director of the series, said, "The shoot had ended and most of the cast left, but Rahul-da insisted on an unscripted drone shot. We were filming honeymoon scenes with Rahul-da and Sweta (Mishra) in knee-deep water. The first take was completed. Sweta felt uneasy after a small wave hit her and decided to leave. Rahul-da wanted a second take with him facing the camera and went deeper into the water. The entire team requested him (to come out of water), but he didn't listen. A bigger wave caused him to slip and swallow water. We all jumped to rescue him. Lifeguards also joined in the rescue operation and he was rushed to a hospital. He responded twice while being taken to the hospital, but was pronounced dead upon arrival."

"He was brought to the hospital around 6.10pm. He had passed away by the time our doctors examined him," said a senior doctor at Digha State General Hospital.

Cops from Digha coastal police station reached the hospital soon after receiving the news. "He was brought in a lifeless state," said an officer.

Cops: Will probe if safety protocol was followed at shoot

While primary evidence points towards a heart attack followed by drowning, we need to go through the post-mortem report to know the cause of death. An unnatural death case has been registered. We are questioning crew members to know the sequence of events and trying to find out whether the safety protocol was followed during the shoot," said a senior police officer in East Midnapore district. Cops said the body has been kept at the Digha hospital morgue. The post-mortem will take place at Contai Sub-divisional Hospital on Monday morning.

Rahul Arunoday Banerjee had made his debut in the 2009 movie 'Chirodini Tumi Je Amar'. He later married his co-star, Priyanka Sarkar. He acted in multiple movies and TV serials and became a household name. He also ran a popular podcast channel Shojoj Kotha, named after his 13-year-old son Shohoj.

Shortly after his death, CM Mamata Banerjee posted on X: "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 'Chirodini Tumi Je Amar', said: 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, said, "Rahul had a heart of gold. He stood up for me and voiced his opinion against internet hooliganism." His filmography, which includes major titles like 'Jackpot', 'Jaatishwar', 'Zulfiqar', and his recurring role as Ajit in the 'Byomkesh' franchise, showcases a range that few can match, said industry veterans.

He was equally at home in the ensemble cast of 'Chotushkone' as he was leading the experimental 'Rajlokhi O Srikanto', proving that his talent was not bound by genre or scale.