The incident reportedly occurred when he was hit by a wave and fell into the sea. He was immediately rushed to the hospital. He was seemingly responding while being escorted for emergency treatment. The hospital was located about 10 to12 kilometres from Talsari Beach. The doctors declared him dead around 6.10 pm on Sunday.

His wife, Priyanka Sarkar, shared a statement shortly after the news spread on social media. Opening up about the family processing this grief, she penned, “This is a time of immense grief and deep despair for us. In this difficult moment, we sincerely request space and privacy. There is a child, a mother, a family, and loved ones trying to navigate this loss together. We kindly urge our friends and colleagues in the media to respect our boundaries, refrain from intrusion, and allow us the dignity to grieve in peace. Your understanding and support mean more than ever at this time.”

His co-star Diganta Bagchi opened up about the unfortunate incident. Speaking to PTI, he said, “After today’s shoot, he went alone to the water but somehow got entangled in something under the water… The exact circumstances are not clear. Suddenly, people, including crew members, were shouting that Rahul was drowning and we pulled him out of the water. We rushed him to Digha hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee opened up about the incident on social media. She wrote, “I am shocked, deeply saddened to hear the news that the distinguished, young, and popular actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee is suddenly no longer among us. I am unable to comprehend what exactly happened. He was one of my favourite actors and a person I truly admired. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family, loved ones, and countless admirers. Rahul’s sudden passing is an irreparable loss to the Bengali entertainment industry.”

According to the latest reports, Pawan Kalyan starrer, Ustaad Bhagat Singh is heading for an OTT release on April 23, 2026. This digital premiere comes five weeks after the film’s theatrical debut on March 19. Because it features a major superstar and is produced by a reputed production house (Mythri Movie Makers), OTT streaming giant Netflix secured the streaming rights well before the movie hit the big screen. Interestingly, the April 23 date was part of the original distribution plan. The production team initially scheduled the theatrical release for March 26. They later moved the cinema debut up to March 19 to capitalize on the Ugadi holiday. However, Netflix decided not to adjust its internal schedule to match this shift. Consequently, the film will maintain its pre-planned streaming window.

Poor commercial outcome

Upon its theatrical release, Ustaad Bhagat Singh struggled at the box office. According to data from various trade reports, the film faced a steep decline after its opening weekend at the box office. It earned approximately Rs 31.5 crore on its first day but failed to maintain that momentum. By the end of its second week, the domestic net collection stood at roughly Rs 70 crore. The performance is considered a disappointment given the film’s heavy Rs 150 crore budget. Competition from the blockbuster Dhurandhar 2 further squeezed its theatrical presence across the Telugu states. Reports indicate that the film has recovered less than 50% of its total investment so far. Mixed reviews regarding the predictable storyline have also impacted its long-term run.

No new acting assignments

Pawan Kalyan’s office, days after the movie’s release, issued a formal statement regarding his future acting assignments. They clarified that the actor is not currently in talks for any new projects. The team noted that he has no immediate plans to sign new commitments and remains focused on his existing political responsibilities.

Also Read: Dhurandhar: The Revenge’s Buzz Derails Ustaad Bhagat Singh’s Run

Bimal Oberoi has landed a role in Prashanth Neel’s upcoming film Dragon, a pan-India project. The action drama stars Jr NTR in the lead role. The casting news follows the massive success of Dhurandhar. That first film was released in December 2025. Its sequel, released in March, has been a further fillip. Bimal gained praise for his performance in the action thriller. He played Shirani, leader of the Balochistan United Force (BUF), in the Bollywood blockbusters.

It seems Neel was impressed by his screen presence and naturalness. Bimal has already joined the sets of Dragon to begin filming. His role is currently being kept under wraps by the production team. The popularity Bimal earned through Dhurandhar will surely benefit him as the release date of Dragon nears. Audiences now recognize him as a performer to look up to. This newfound fame will create buzz for himself, especially because Dragon is primarily a southern Indian project. His face will likely feature prominently in videos during the promotional phase. Once the official promotions start, his involvement will generate interest. This collaboration with Prashanth Neel could mark a second high point in his career after the Dhurandhar movies.

Bimal too is ecstatic about joining Dragon and is looking for versatile roles in the South. He restarted his acting career in 2018 after a break. To bag his role in Dhurandhar, he went through a rigorous process. He auditioned multiple times over several months for the director. He even shaved his head to fit the character’s specific look. The actor also grew a real beard to ensure authenticity, he told NDTV in an interview. He spent a long time preparing for the part before filming began. His commitment has finally paid off with these back-to-back big budget films. He is currently also doing Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, directed by David Dhawan.

Also Read: Jr NTR Jets Off to Jordan As Dragon Enters Crucial Phase