Bollywood star Kushal Punjabi, 37, kills himself in his Mumbai apartment after leaving a note to his three-year-old son
- Kushal Punjabi, 37, had been ‘suffering from depression’, his friends said
- The Bollywood star was discovered dead at his home in Pali Hill, Mumbai
- He left half of his estate to his three-year-old son and the rest to his other family
- For confidential support in the UK you can call Samaritans on 116123
A Bollywood actor killed himself in his Mumbai apartment last night leaving a note to his toddler son.
Shortly after Kushal Punjabi, 37, was discovered at his apartment in Pali Hill, Mumbai, friends of the Bollywood star said he had been suffering from depression.
Punjabi left a suicide note containing his will, which dedicates half of his estate to his three-year-old son, Kian and the other half to be split between his sister and parents. He is also survived by Audrey Dolhen, his wife and the toddler’s mother.
The note went on to announce that no one was to blame for his death.
Kushal Punjabi can be seen here before his death in a photo posted to his Instagram on Christmas Eve with his son Kian
Kushal Punjabi can be seen here before his death in a photo posted to his Instagram on with his son Kian, his wife Audrey Dolhen, who he captioned as ‘Mama Bear’
Kushal Punjabi is pictured with his mother and his son Kian in this photo from earlier this year
Indian authorities said they did not find anything suspicious in the home and have filed an accidental death report.
Punjabi, who described himself as ‘Dancing Daddy’, was lauded as one of the top male Bollywood actors of his generation.
He started his career as a dancer and choreographer in 1995 and starred in a number of TV series and bit parts in Bollywood films.
He bagged a prominent role in Farhan Akhtar’s 2004 film, Lakshya, but found fame after winning India’s version of Total Wipeout and its 5,000 rupees prize in 2011.
Punjabi is pictured (centre) holding his sister (right) and new brother-in-law (left) at their wedding in India in May this year
Punjabi is pictured at a gym in November. Fellow Bollywood stars led the tributes to the 37-year-old, including Karanvir Bohra, who tweeted: ‘You really inspired me with the way you saw life, but what was I to know. I will always remember u as a #dancingdaddy #fit & a #lifeenthusiast’
He most recently starred in the 2017 thriller, Ishq Mein Marjawan.
On Instagram, the star described himself as: ‘Dancing daddy, Actor, Bikerboy, Travel/Adventure/Fitness junkie, Movie buff, addicted to black coffee & grey matter.’
Fellow Bollywood star Karanvir Bohra tweeted: ‘Ur demise has shocked the hell out of me. I’m still in denial @PunjabiKushal I know you are in a happier place,but this is unfathomable. You really inspired me with the way you saw life, but what was I to know. I will always remember u as a #dancingdaddy #fit & a #lifeenthusiast.’
Singer Baba Sehgal tweeted: ‘I just cannot come to the terms that Kushal is no more. Always ready to face challenges of all kinds and such an adorable father. He was a friend but more like a younger brother to me. RIP #KushalPunjabi.’
For confidential support in the UK call the Samaritans on 116123, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details.