Prashant Tamang was declared dead on arrival at hospital after he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest
Renowned singer and actor Prashant Tamang — who rose from being a Kolkata Police constable to winning the Indian Idol — tragically passed away after reportedly suffering a sudden cardiac arrest, reports said.
Tamang, 43, passed away in New Delhi on Sunday (Jan 11).
According to preliminary reports, Tamang suffered a sudden cardiac arrest (some reports mention a stroke) at his residence in the national capital.
Although he was rushed to a hospital in Dwarka, he was declared dead upon arrival at approximately 9 am.
The news has come as a profound shock to his family and fans, as the singer had recently returned from a live performance in Arunachal Pradesh and had shown no signs of serious illness or health discomfort.
From Constable to a National Icon
Prashant Tamang’s journey remains one of the most inspiring stories in Indian reality TV history.
Early Life: Born on January 4, 1983, in Darjeeling, he joined Kolkata Police as a constable following the untimely death of his father to support his family.
Indian Idol Fame: In 2007, his soulful voice and humble background captured the heart of the nation. He became the first contestant from Northeast India to win the prestigious title, sparking a massive wave of support across the Gorkha and Nepali-speaking communities globally.
Acting Career: Beyond music, Tamang successfully transitioned to cinema. He starred in several Nepali films, most notably Gorkha Paltan. Recently, he gained renewed acclaim for his role as Daniel Acho in the second season of the gritty Amazon Prime series Paatal Lok.
Industry Reactions
The news has triggered an outpouring of grief from the music and film fraternity.
“How is it even fair! Keep smiling Dosti… the world won’t be the same without you,” Amit Paul, his runner-up and close friend from Indian Idol, shared a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram.
“The courage for Nepali singers to reach big reality shows came because of Prashant. This is an irreparable loss,” filmmaker Rajesh Ghatani, who worked closely with him, said.
Tamang is survived by his wife, Geeta Thapa, a flight attendant whom he married in 2011, and their young son.
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