Actor, singer Prashant Tamang dies after heart attack at age of 43 in New Delhi
The voice that once united millions has fallen silent. Singer and actor Prashant Tamang, winner of Indian Idol Season 3, passed away on Sunday morning in New Delhi after suffering a heart attack. He was 43.
Prashant reportedly collapsed at his residence in Janakpuri, Delhi, and was rushed to a hospital in Dwarka, where doctors declared him dead around 9 AM. He had returned to the capital just hours earlier after completing a live musical programme in Arunachal Pradesh. Close friends and family said he had shown no serious health issues before his sudden demise.
Filmmaker Rajesh Ghatani, a long-time collaborator and close friend, confirmed the news. “I received the heartbreaking news from his family and relatives this morning,” Ghatani said. The news later became public after Indian Idol friend Amit Paul shared it on social media.
Singer Pramod Kharel also mourned Prashant’s death, calling him a true representative of Nepali-speaking communities across borders. “He was not just a singer from Darjeeling or India. He was the voice of Nepali speakers everywhere,” Kharel said.
Born on January 4, 1983, in Darjeeling, West Bengal, Prashant Tamang came from a simple background. After losing his father at a young age, he joined the Kolkata Police as a constable to support his family. Music remained close to his heart, and he continued singing as part of the police orchestra.
His life changed forever in 2007 when he auditioned for Indian Idol Season 3. With massive support from fans in India, Nepal, and the global Gorkha community, Prashant won the title with a record 70 million votes, becoming a national sensation overnight.
“Today, Nepali singers performing on big stages and reality shows found courage because of Prashant,” Ghatani said.
After his Indian Idol win, Prashant released several albums, including ‘Dhanyavad’, and delivered songs that remain deeply loved. Tracks like ‘Man Sainli’, ‘Asarai Mahinama’, and ‘Gorkha Paltan’ continue to echo across Nepali-speaking homes worldwide.
His victory was celebrated as a moment of pride for the Gorkha and Nepali communities, with public celebrations held in Darjeeling and beyond.
Prashant also made a strong mark as an actor. He starred in several Nepali films, including ‘Gorkha Paltan’ (2010), ‘Angalo Yo Maya Ko’, ‘Kina Maya Ma’, ‘Nishani’, ‘Pardeshi’, and ‘Pardeshi 2’. His role in Gorkha Paltan was especially well received.
In recent years, he expanded into Indian digital platforms and played a key role as Daniel Acho in ‘Paatal Lok’ Season 2, earning praise for his performance. He had also completed work on Salman Khan’s upcoming film ‘Battle of Galwan’, which is yet to be released.
Actor Anup Bikram Shahi, who worked with Prashant on Battle of Galwan, remembered him as warm and grounded. “He was friendly, talented, and full of life. I met him just months ago. This feels unreal,” Shahi said.
News of Prashant Tamang’s death has triggered an outpouring of grief from artists, fans, and community leaders. Tributes continue to flood social media, calling his death an irreparable loss to music and cinema.
Tamang is survived by his wife and a daughter. He had been living in Janakpuri, Delhi. According to sources, his mother-in-law was the first to learn of his death and informed his Indian Idol friend Amit Paul. Paul later shared the news on Instagram, after which Tamang’s death became public.
Through his songs, films, and journey, Prashant Tamang connected Nepalis scattered across the world. His voice may be gone, but his legacy will live on in every note he sang and every heart he touched.
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