Film and television actor Kushal Punjabi dies at 37

In a shocking incident, film and television actor Kushal Punjabi died today. He was only 37. The news was revealed by friend and fellow actor Karanvir Bohra on Instagram.

Punjabi is survived by wife Audrey and their son who was born in 2016. Bohra shared a happy picture of Punjabi and wrote, 'Your demise has shocked the hell out of me. I'm still in denial. I know you are in a happier place, but this is unfathomable. The way you led your life really inspired me in more ways than one... but what was I to know.'

Bohra added, 'Your zest for dancing, fitness, off-road biking, fatherhood and, above all that, that smiling face of yours, your happy-go-lucky nature, your warmth, all that was such ingenuity. I'm gonna miss you so much Kushlani. You will always be remembered as a guy who lived a full life.'

Although the police have not officially issued any statement yet, news reports claimed that Punjabi had committed suicide by hanging himself. The reports quoted Bohra and fellow actor Chetan Hansraj as having confirmed this. Hansraj was also quoted as saying the last rites would take place after 1pm today. 

ANI reported that the police had found a suicide note at the actor's apartment. 

Punjabi made his film debut with Kaizad Gustad’s Bombay Boys (1998) and was later seen in Andaaz (2003) starring Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra and Lara Dutta, Sssshhh... (2003), Farhan Akhtar’s Lakshya (2004), Dharma's supernatural drama Kaal (2005), Salaam-e-Ishq (2007) and Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (2007).

His last Hindi film was Raj and DK’s A Gentleman (2017), which featured Sidharth Malhotra and Jacqueline Fernandez as the main leads. 

Punjabi was better known for his roles in television serials like Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Kasamh Se, Adaalat, Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat and Ishq Mein Marjawan.