Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, Sridevi to Anil Nedumangad: Actors who lost their lives due to drowning

TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains mention of death.

Drowning incidents involving actors have remained rare but deeply tragic within the Indian film industry. Often occurring during film shoots, travel, or leisure activities, such cases highlight the unpredictable risks associated with water-related environments. Over the years, a few notable names have lost their lives in such circumstances, leaving behind a legacy of work and raising concerns around safety and awareness.

Rahul Arunoday Banerjee, a popular face in the Bengali film, OTT and TV industry, died on Sunday evening while shooting for a TV series named ‘Bhole Baba Paar Karega' off the Talsari beach in Odisha, around 8km from Digha. Sources in the shooting crew said the camera was still rolling when Banerjee lost balance and fell into the water, while trying to save his co-actress before being swept away. He was brought out of the water by crew members and a lifeguard and rushed to Digha State General Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Veteran actress Sridevi, one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated stars, passed away in 2018 in Dubai. Official reports confirmed that her death was caused by accidental drowning in a hotel bathtub after she reportedly lost consciousness. While her passing occurred outside a film set, it remained one of the most widely discussed incidents, given her stature and the unexpected circumstances surrounding it.

Malayalam actor Anil Nedumangad passed away in 2020 after drowning in the Malankara Dam in Kerala. Known for his impactful supporting roles, he was taking a break during a film shoot when the incident occurred. Reports indicated that he entered deep waters and was pulled in by an undercurrent. His demise highlighted the unpredictable risks associated with natural water bodies, even for experienced individuals.

Actors Anil Kumar and Raghava Uday lost their lives in 2016 during the filming of the Kannada movie ‘Maasthi Gudi’. The two performed a high-risk stunt that required jumping from a helicopter into a reservoir. Unfortunately, safety measures failed when the rescue boat malfunctioned. The tragic on-set accident sparked conversations across the industry about stricter safety protocols for stunt sequences.