Smriti Irani recounts her talks with late Sushant Singh Rajput, says she told him ‘don’t take your own life’

While many thrive in the television industry, some struggle to make it big or sustain their fame. In the last few years, some of the most popular names in showbiz have succumbed to financial and emotional pressure or turbulent relationships. Here’s a list of celebs whose deaths at the peak of their careers shocked the nation.

‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ fame actress Vaishali Takkar was found dead at her Indore residence on October 15. According to the Madhya Pradesh police, the 30-year-old actress’s suicide note revealed that she was stressed and was harassed by her former boyfriend Rahul Navlani and his wife for over two years.

Samit Sharma, who began his career with the TV show ‘Dil Kya Chahta Hai’, was found dead on August 5, 2020, by a security guard at his Malad residence in Mumbai. According to Mumbai police, no suicide note was recovered from the spot and it was suspected that the 44-year-old had hanged himself two days ago.

The death of Sushant Singh Rajput left the whole television industry and Bollywood in a state of shock. The ‘Kedarnath’ actor was found dead at his Mumbai house in June 2020. The post mortem report of the late actor revealed that he died of asphyxia due to hanging. However, the CBI is still investigating the case.

On May 26, 2020, the ‘Crime Patrol’ actress Preksha Mehta was found hanging at her residence in Indore. The last message she posted on her Instagram, before taking her life, read, “Sabse bura hota hai sapno ka mar jana (The worst is when your dreams die)”. Preksha Mehta was reportedly stressed about not getting work during the lockdown following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘Aadat Se Majboor’ actor Manmeet Grewal died at the age of 32 by suicide on May 15, 2020. According to the police, he was found hanging at his residence in Navi Mumbai by his wife. The actor was facing financial stress and was not getting any new projects during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Sejal Sharma, who rose to popularity with TV show ‘Dil Toh Happy Hai Ji’ died by suicide on January 24, 2020 in her flat in Mumbai. The actress was reportedly depressed due to her parents’ ill health and abrupt ending of her show. In her suicide note, she stated that nobody should be blamed for her death.

Kushal Punjabi, who was a part of popular TV show ‘Ishq Mei Marjawan’ was found hanging at his Bandra residence in Mumbai on December 26, 2019. The 42-year old actor was reportedly suffering from depression. In his suicide note, he had left all his belongings to his parents and son.

‘Balika Vadhu’ fame Pratyusha Banerjee’s death by suicide sent shockwaves across the television industry. The 24-year-old was found dead in her Mumbai apartment on April 1, 2016. Following Banerjee’s death, her family accused her boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh of abbetting their daughter’s suicide. Reportedly, the troubled relationship made the actress take the drastic step.