Rahul Banerjee death: ‘Dancing in knee deep water...’, Cops reveal what happened moments before actor drowned

Rahul Banerjee passed away on Sunday following a mishap during a shoot in Odisha's Talasari beach. He was 42. He is survived by wife Priyanka Sarkar, their son Shohoj Banerjee.

Sneha Biswas
Updated30 Mar 2026, 11:29 AM IST
Rahul Banerjee died at Talasari beach.
Rahul Banerjee died at Talasari beach.(Instagram/ @rahularunodaybanerjee)

Popular Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee passed away on Sunday following a mishap during a shoot. He was filming for the TV show, Bholebaba Paar Karega, at Talasari beach when the incident took place. Revealing what happened during the accident, Odisha cops revealed that no permission was granted for the shoot.

What happened during final moments of Rahul Banerjee

According to SP Balasore, the incident took place around 5:30 PM on 29 March. Rahul Banerjee was filming with his co-star, Sweta Mishra, as both fell into the water.

News agency ANI quoted police saying, “Information was received yesterday by Talsari IIC from his counterpart in Digha about the death of a Bengali actor, whose body was in Digha Medical.”

Also Read | Who was Rahul Arunoday Banerjee? Movies, career, more - 5 points to know

How did Rahul Banerjee die during shoot

Revealing Banerjee passed away while Mishra survived, the statement added, “Further joint verification by Talsari and Digha Police revealed that the incident occurred yesterday around 5:30 PM when Rahul Banarjee and Sweta Mishra were dancing in the water at knee level for shooting of a serial. Suddenly both of them fell into a ditch and their team immediately took them to Digha Hospital. However, the male actor could not be saved.”

An investigation into the death case is expected to begin soon, as reported by ABP Ananda earlier.

“The team neither gave any intimation nor obtained any permission for shooting. Talsari Police is coordinating with Digha Police for further legal action,” added the authority, reported ANI.

Reportedly, Rahul Banerjee was taken to Digha State General Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival by doctors. His post-mortem will be conducted at Kanthi hospital on Monday, reported the Telegraph.

Also Read | Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee passes away, drowns in sea while shooting

Priyanka Sarkar reacts

Following the news of Banerjee's death, his wife, actor Priyanka Sarkar, broke the silence on social media. Requesting privacy, she shared a note which read, “This is a time of immense grief and deep despair for us. In this difficult moment, we sincerely request space and privacy. There is a child, a mother, a family, and loved ones trying to navigate this loss together.”

She added, “We kindly urge our friends and colleagues in the media to respect our boundaries, refrain from intrusion, and allow us the dignity to grieve in peace.”

“Your understanding and support mean more than ever at this time,” Sarkar concluded.

Who was Rahul Banerjee

Rahul Banerjee was among the notable names in the Bengali film and TV industry. He rose to fame overnight with his blockbuster debut in the Bengali film, Chirodini Tumi Je Amar. He met his wife Priyanka Sarkar on the sets of the film and later tied the knot. The two had filed for divorce years ago but later reconciled for their son, Shohoj.

Banerjee starred in Bengali films like Jackpot, Love Circus, Shono Mon Boli Tomay and more. He was also a part of several Bengali soaps like Geeta LLB, Horogouri Pice Hotel, Desher Maati and Tumi Ashbe Bole, among others.

CM Mamata Banerjee on Sunday wrote on X, "I am shocked, deeply saddened to hear the news that the distinguished, young, and popular actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee is suddenly no longer among us. I am unable to comprehend what exactly happened. He was one of my favourite actors and a person I truly admired. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family, loved ones, and countless admirers."

About the Author

Sneha Biswas specialises in covering entertainment and pop culture, with a specialisation on Bollywood, Hollywood, OTT platforms, K-pop, K-dramas, and major developments in the US entertainment industry. She believes in telling stories that balance speed with substance, and in making entertainment journalism contextual, culturally aware, and reader-first rather than purely reactive.<br><br> With over six years of experience in digital media, Sneha currently serves as a Deputy Chief Content Producer at Live Mint. She has spent more than three and a half years with the HT Group and returned to the organisation in February 2025, joining Live Mint to uplift the entertainment section. Over the past year, she has been closely involved in entertainment coverage including breaking news, explainers, trend reporting, box office reports and analysis for the audience.<br><br> Sneha is Google News certified, having completed training focused on newsroom best practices, digital reporting, and SEO-driven content strategies. Her work reflects a strong understanding of audience behaviour, search trends, and the evolving consumption patterns of entertainment news across formats.<br><br> Prior to her current role, Sneha has worked across multiple content and editorial functions within digital newsrooms, building expertise in content planning, editing, and real-time coverage. Her professional interests lie at the intersection of entertainment, internet culture, and global pop trends.<br><br> Working for the National city team, Biswas closely follows global entertainment movements while maintaining a strong pulse on what is happening in India.

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