Actress Shwetha Prasad on Dileep Raj's untimely passing away: He deserved much more fame

The sudden demise of Kannada actor-producer Dileep Raj has left the entertainment industry grieving. Actress Shwetha Prasad, who recently worked with him in Love Mocktail 3, remembered the late actor as a talented performer, a grounded individual and a devoted husband. Speaking exclusively to ETimes, Shwetha said Dileep Raj’s passing at the age of 47 came as a huge shock. “It still feels unbelievable. He was far too young and none of us expected something like this,” she said. Recalling their time on the sets of Love Mocktail 3, where the duo played an advocate couple, Shwetha said the entire team was in awe of Dileep Raj’s acting skills. “All of us, including Darling Krishna and Milana Nagaraj, would constantly talk about what an incredible actor he was. We often wondered why he never got the kind of fame and opportunities he truly deserved,” she shared. According to the actress, Dileep Raj himself would occasionally speak about how, despite receiving appreciation for his performances, the major breakthrough in his career had remained elusive. “He would jokingly say, ‘Everyone praises my work, but where is the big break?’ But we genuinely believed Love Mocktail 3 would change things for him,” she added. Expressing regret over his untimely demise, Shwetha said, “It’s painful that he left before getting everything he had worked so hard for.” The actress also spoke warmly about Dileep Raj’s relationship with his wife, calling them “one of the most inspiring couples in the industry.” She recalled how fondly he spoke about his family during shoots. “He would always talk about his wife with so much love and admiration. She was constantly by his side, during shoots, script discussions and even lunch breaks. Their bond was beautiful to witness,” she said, adding, “I honestly don’t know how she will cope with this loss.”See More: Kannada actor-producer Dileep Raj passes away of heart attack at 47 Shwetha further revealed that Dileep Raj had contacted her just two weeks ago for a role in a new serial he was producing. “He had called me personally and wanted me to be a part of the project. Unfortunately, I was in my hometown and couldn’t join because the shoot was scheduled the next day. That ended up being our last conversation,” she said. Remembering another side of the actor, Shwetha said Dileep Raj was deeply passionate about professionalism and discipline in the industry. “He once told me that actors today sometimes prioritise gym schedules over work commitments. He believed fitness is important, but not at the cost of professionalism,” she recalled. “That conversation stayed with me. He practised what he preached and managed to balance both fitness and work without compromising on either. That’s something every actor can learn from him,” she added. Calling their collaboration brief yet meaningful, Shwetha concluded, “We didn’t work together for very long, but the experience left a lasting impact on me. That’s how I will always remember him.”