Television actor Anuj Thakur, a familiar face from serials including Dhoom Machao Dhoom, Mahisagar and Bandhan Saath Janmon Ka, has died at his home in Oshiwara, Mumbai. He was 33. Casting director and close friend Rupesh Sonar announced the death on Instagram and said he was still unable to accept the loss.
Thakur, who was among the better-known faces on Indian television, was associated with shows such as Dhoom Machao Dhoom, Bandhan Saath Janmon Ka, Mahisagar and Beendh Banoonga Ghodi Chadunga. One account of his career lists all four; his death has stunned colleagues and friends across the television industry.
Sonar, who said the two had known each other since 2008 when they worked on Bandhan Saath Janmon Ka, described Thakur as a younger brother and spoke of projects they had planned together. "This news feels unreal," he wrote, adding, "You will always be remembered, brother."
In the post, Sonar said he had watched Thakur struggle in his early days in the industry and had followed his journey since. "Life is truly unpredictable," he wrote, calling the death hard to accept. Sonar said he had spoken to the actor's brother, who was in no position to say much.
According to Sonar's account, Thakur reportedly suffered a seizure while asleep in the early hours of October 27 and did not wake. The actor kept a 4.30 am routine of fitness and jogging, he said, but that morning the alarm rang and he did not stir; his mother went into the room and found him dead. Sonar said he had met Thakur ten days earlier and that the actor had spoken eagerly about returning to television.
It has also been reported that Thakur suffered a seizure earlier this year and was on medication for it. The accounts differ on the sequence of events: one says Sonar learnt of the death on Friday night through a common friend, while the family is said to have found the actor on the morning of October 27. It was not clear how the two timelines fit together.
Several television personalities expressed condolences in the comments section of Sonar's post. Actor Vaqaur Shaikh, who said he had known Thakur since his early days, wrote that he was a "very sweet and nice guy". Bigg Boss 18 fame Yamini Malhotra commented: "He was a happy boy."
Sonar described Thakur as cheerful, generous, helpful and respectful, and said he treated everyone with dignity. The two had worked together on several television projects over the years.
(With inputs from media reports)