Vanished stars of Indian cinema: When fame faded into silence

Known for his sensitive roles in films like Arth, Karz, and Hip Hip Hurray, Raj Kiran disappeared from the industry in the 1990s amid reports of mental health struggles. Years later, actor Rishi Kapoor claimed that Raj was located in a mental institution in Atlanta, USA, after years of being presumed dead. However, no official confirmation or public appearance followed. His disappearance remains one of Bollywood’s most poignant unsolved stories.

Best known for his supporting role in Munnabhai MBBS, Vishal Thakkar disappeared in 2016 after he borrowed his mother's phone and left home, never to return. Shockingly, this happened after he had faced controversy over an alleged molestation case (which was later dropped). His mother filed a missing person's report, but years later, there’s still no trace of him. CCTV footage showed him traveling in an auto-rickshaw—his last known appearance.

A former ramp model and one-time contemporary of Sushmita Sen, Geetanjali Nagpal was found living on the streets of Delhi in 2007, shocking the fashion fraternity. Suffering from mental health issues and substance abuse, her case gained intense media coverage. While she wasn’t “missing” in the traditional sense, her disappearance from modeling and resurfacing in such tragic circumstances highlighted the darker, often neglected side of glamour. She was later taken in by an NGO, and her current status remains unclear to the public.

Gurucharan Singh, known for playing Sodhi in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, went missing on April 22, 2024, after failing to board a flight from Delhi to Mumbai. A police case was filed, and a kidnapping angle was even investigated. However, he returned home on May 18, revealing that he had left voluntarily on a spiritual journey, visiting Gurudwaras in Amritsar and Ludhiana. He said he was seeking peace and clarity, and denied any publicity stunt. Gurucharan cited personal and financial stress as reasons for his disappearance and is now looking to resume work, with rumours of a Bigg Boss 19 entry already making headlines.

Sumi Har Chowdhury, once a known face in Bengali films and TV shows, mysteriously disappeared from the industry and public life. Years later, in July 2025, she was shockingly found wandering the roads of Purba Bardhaman in a disoriented state. Dressed in worn clothes and clutching a notebook, she kept repeating that she was an actress. Locals initially mistook her for a vagabond until they recognised her from her past work. She was later rescued by authorities and taken to a shelter home, sparking concern over her mental and emotional well-being.