Actor Nitesh Pandey who had played the role of Dheeraj Kumar, a best friend of Anuj Kapadia, in Anupamaa suffered from a massive cardiac arrest at 2 am today at Hotel Dew Drop in Igatpuri, Maharashtra.
“He is a regular visitor to the hotel. We have come to know that Pandey would often come here (to the hotel), stay, and write his stories. He would do this to avoid any kind of disturbance,” an officer said.
According to the police statement, Pandey had alone checked into the hotel on Tuesday morning and in the evening, he went to the hotel restaurant, ordered his food, and asked the staff to send the food to his room by 10.30 pm.
Police Inspector Raju Surve of Igatpuri police station said, “When he did not answer the doorbell for a long time, the hotel staff opened the room with the help of the master key and found him unconscious.”
Though, he was sent to the hospital by hotel staff, but before admitting he was found dead on examination by the doctors. An accidental death report has been registered and an investigation is under process.
The Media fraternity was shocked on his unexpected death.
Deven Bhojani, the famous comedian actor, wrote on Twitter, “This can’t be true but it is. Friend, colleague and talented actor Nitesh Pandey dies of cardiac arrest at 2 am today in Igatpuri. Rest in peace Nitesh #Actor #Anupama.”
Parikshit Joshi wrote on Twitter, “Worked with Nitesh Sir recently for a show TBA. It was so easy and fun directing him. He’d always have an opinion, in the smallest scenes and would fill in small details with natural humour. Since we’re both Kumaoni, I’d started calling him Daa-jyu. #RIP Daa-jyu #NiteshPandey
Netizens also pay tribute to the actor:
Born in Almora, Uttrakhand, Nitesh Pandey got married to Arpita Pandey. Actor had given his almost 25 years to the entertainment industry and worked in various serials like ‘Manzilein Apani Apani’, ‘Astitva…Ek Prem Kahani’, ‘Saaya’, Durgesh Nandini, ‘Justajoo’ and latest was ‘Anupamaa’. He also worked on the films like ‘Om Shanti Om’ and ‘Badhaai Do’.