TV actress Rupali Ganguly is shocked by the sudden demise of her Anupama co-star Nitesh Pandey. Actor-writer, Pandey played the role of Dheeraj Kumar in the TV show and was a friend of the actress. He died of cardiac arrest at Igatpuri near Nashik late on Tuesday at the age of 51. The Nashik police claimed that he was taken to a hospital after he was found unconscious in his room, but was declared dead on arrival.
Rupali Ganguly, who is in disbelief, said she had planned to meet with Nitesh, but could not materialize. Sharing happy memories about their bond, Rupali said that “he was the only industry friend who kept in constant touch during his sabbatical, apart from Delnaaz and Sarabhai.”
She said: “He even came to meet me after Rudransh was born. I can’t believe it! His son Aarav is just a few months older than Rudransh. He messaged me last week about a painting he made. And we had planned to introduce our sons. We would bond over the dogs. His wife Arpita is an animal caretaker and also a feeder like me. I am devastated! He was very protective of me. “
She further added: “Even when he came to ‘Anupamaa’, it felt like having your bestie next to you at your workplace. Earlier this month, I went very late for a film party Was and saw his car leaving, so I called him and said I saw you and he said: “Tu ruk main aata hoon gaadi ghumke’, and I said ‘no, go home see you next week.’ Teen week ho gaye usse baat ko (‘Wait, I’ll just turn my car around and meet you. I told him to go home and we’ll meet next week. It’s been 3 weeks now) and now I’m talking to him. I will never meet , I can’t believe it.”
According to the press release of the Nashik Police, “Writer-actor Nitesh Pandey was staying at Hotel Dew Drop, Igatpuri since Tuesday morning. The actor had ordered food in the evening and did not open the door of his room when the knock came for the delivery.” ” Then when a staff member opened the door with the master key, Nitesh Pandey was found lying unconscious inside.
The hotel management had admitted Nitesh Pandey to the rural hospital in Igatpuri at 2 o’clock in the night. But the doctors had declared him dead even before admitting him there, Lagatpuri police is engaged in further investigation of the case. At present, the police are waiting for the postmortem report of the actor and are also questioning the hotel staff and close friends.”
(With IANS inputs)