Indian Idol 3 Winner and Paatal Lok Actor Prashant Tamang Passes Away at 43
Prashant Tamang, the celebrated singer who captured national attention by winning Indian Idol Season 3 and later earned acclaim for his acting in the acclaimed series Paatal Lok Season 2, died on Sunday due to cardiac arrest. He was 43.
The news emerged after Tamang’s close friend, singer Mahesh Sewa, informed PTI that the artist passed away around 9 a.m. at his home in New Delhi’s Janak Puri. Family members rushed him to a hospital, but doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. Sewa expressed profound shock, noting that he had spoken with Tamang recently and found him in good health.
Friend Rajesh Ghatani first broke the sad news on social media, posting a heartfelt tribute on Facebook: “My heart is heavy while writing this very sad news!! May you live in Baikuntha !! Heartfelt tribute Prashant brother.”
Born on January 4, 1983, in Darjeeling into a Nepali-speaking Gorkha family, Tamang faced early hardship when his father, a West Bengal Police officer, died in service. He left school to assume his father’s position in the police force. Encouraged by friends, he auditioned for Indian Idol in 2007 and emerged victorious, sparking massive celebrations across the Darjeeling hills, Sikkim, and parts of Nepal.
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Following his victory, Tamang released his debut album Dhanyavaad in 2010 and performed at numerous concerts in India and abroad. He later ventured into acting, debuting in the Nepali film Gorkha Paltan and appearing in several others, including Angalo Yo Maya Ko, Kina Maya Ma, Nishani, Pardesi, and Kina Mayama.
In recent years, Tamang gained praise for portraying Daniel Lecho, a cold-blooded assassin, in the second season of the critically acclaimed series Paatal Lok. He was set to appear posthumously in the upcoming Salman Khan film Battle of Galwan, scheduled for theatrical release on April 17.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her sorrow on X, describing Tamang as a popular singer of Indian Idol fame and a nationally renowned artist whose roots in the Darjeeling hills and past association with the Kolkata Police made him especially dear to Bengal. She conveyed condolences to his family, friends, and followers.
Amit Paul, runner-up in Indian Idol Season 3, shared his grief on Instagram, writing: “How’s this even fair!!! Keep smiling Dosti!!! The world won’t be the same without you!!! I still can’t process this… My brother, my friend, my dosti, @prashanttamangofficial has left for the heavenly abode…”
Tamang is survived by his wife, Geeta Thapa, and their four-year-old daughter, Ariah Tamang. He frequently shared photos and videos of his family on social media. Arrangements for his final rites are pending, with the family yet to decide between Delhi and Darjeeling.