Actor Asif Basra, Sushant Singh Rajput's co-star in Kai Po Che, found dead in Dharamshala

Actor Asif Basra found dies at 53: Actor Asif Basra found dead in Himachal Pradesh: Another shocking death in Bollywood has taken place as actor Asif Basra has died by suicide. According to ANI, Asif who was also seen in the web series 'Paatal Lok' was found hanging in a private complex in Dharamshala. The reason why the actor took such a drastic step is being investigated. As per reports, he died by suicide near a cafe located on FC Gibada Road. He was living in a rented house for the last 5 years. ANI quoted SSP Kangra Vimukt Ranjan, "Film actor Asif Basra was found hanging in a private complex in Dharamshala. Forensic team is at the spot and police is investigating the matter."

He was 53. “He hanged himself around 12-12.30 today. We are investigating the matter. We have sent the body for post-mortem...Prima facie it is a case of suicide," Kangra Senior Superintendent of Police Vimukt Ranjan told reporters here. The actor's body was recovered by police officials, he said.
Further details are awaited, Ranjan added. Basra had reportedly leased a property in McLeodganj, Upper Dharamshala, about five-six years ago and visited the place regularly. The news of the sudden death of the character actor, which comes months after Bollywood star Sushant Singh Rajput was found hanging at his residence in Mumbai on June 14, led to shock in the industry with several of his colleagues expressing their grief.

In his over two-decade-long career, Basra played supporting parts in many critically-acclaimed features like "Black Friday", "Parzania" and "Outsourced". Among his notable performances in Hindi cinema, Basra played a cunning stall owner in Imtiaz Ali's 2007 film "Jab We Met", alongside the likes of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shahid Kapoor. He played the father of Emraan Hashmi's Shoaib Khan in Milan Luthria's "Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai" (2010). Basra most recently starred in Amazon Prime Video's smash-hit series "Paatal Lok".

As soon as the news of his demise spread, not only celebrities but people on the internet started pouring condolences on Twitter. 

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta shared his reaction to the tragic news and tweeted, "Asif Ba(sra! Can't be true... This is just very, very sad (sic).

Manoj Bajpayee reacted and wrote, "What? This is too shocking!! Shot with him just before Lockdown!!! Oh My God!!!"

TV actor Karanvir Bohra wrote, "This is so so sad.... Rest in peace brother #AsifBasra."

Singer Tony Kakkar tweeted, "So sad to hear about untimely death of great actor #AsifBasra Huge loss."

Mukesh Chhabra told IANS, "I just got to know about Asif Basra's death, so thoda off ho gaya hu (I am upset). He was such a brilliant actor and so energetic. I am still in shock. He was so positive. For every role, he would say, 'if you want to audition me, I am always ready'. I had auditoned him for Kai Po Che but after that I felt he was such a fantastic actor atht I never felt like auditioning him. He always wanted to do good work. He was always enthusiastic, energetic, fit and happy, so I am just shocked."

"Whether it was two scenes or three scenes, he used to stand out in every film. His personality was such that he used to leave a mark. He used to improvise too, for he was a spontaneous actor. The last time we spoke was in 2019 during Hostages 2. He had messaged me asking how I was doing. During pandemic, baat nahi hui (we didn't talk) as people were in their own worlds. But he was happy, and I'll always remember him from the time we met for Kai Po Che."

Nawazuddin Siddiqui: It is unbelievable, yet another loss of a dear friend #AsifBasra -- gem of a talent & full of life personality Rest In Peace My Friend -- More Power to Family.

Nimrat Kaur: Prayers and thoughts with his loved ones...so shocked and saddened by this tragic news. #RIPAsifBasra.

Randeep Hooda: Rest in peace brother #asifbasra

Tisca Chopra: What a dreadful bloody year .. another colleague gone .. RIP #AsifBasra .. the heavens shall welcome your gentle soul and lead you to peace.

Resul Pookutty: I can't believe he is gone! RIP #asifbasra gone to soon! Great actor and great enthusiast!

Ritesh Sidhwani: Shocked to hear about the untimely demise of #AsifBasra. May his soul rest in peace.

Tillotama Shome: Asif Basra, may you and your bike, keep travelling across galaxies new. Deepest condolences to your family.

Nikitin Dheer: Extremely shocked and shaken to hear about #AsifBasra.. I have worked with him in two films..always full of life.. Very very sad.

Kareena Kapoor Khan wrote, “Rest in peace Asif Basra. Heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones.”

Anushka Sharma mourned Asif’s death and wrote, “My sincere condolences and prayers with the family and loved ones. RIP Asif Basra.” 

Among the others who condoled his death were directors Onir and Rahul Dholakia. "In shock. Can't believe that we have lost him. #asifbasra Used to meet him so often at the park jogging. He would tell me not to jog sideways,I might loose balance and hurt myself," Onir tweeted.

Dholakia, who directed Basra in the National Award winner "Parzania" and in the Sanjay Dutt-starrer "Lamhaa", said Basra was a "wonderful actor and a jovial fellow". "I mean why would he?? Very Sad - had directed him in Parzania (Chagan), in Lamhaa ( the Darzee ) and also in society...Very sad to hear about his passing !! #asifbasra Hope you are at peace," he added.

Watch Asif Basra's performance in Jab We Met:

After Rajput’s death -- which ignited discussions on the nepotistic nature of the industry and its gate-keeping attitude but took an entirely different angle after the actor's family filed an FIR against his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty – TV actor Samir Sharma was found hanging in his Mumbai home in August,
Sharma was best known for his roles in “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi” and “Left Right Left”.

-With PTI inputs

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