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Suicide

Bollywood Star Kushal Punjabi Dies by Suicide at 42

Renee Fabian
 • 
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Editor's Note

If you experience suicidal thoughts or have lost someone to suicide, the following post could be potentially triggering. You can contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741741 in the U.S. or use these international resources.

Bollywood Star Kushal Punjabi has died by suicide at the age of 42, according to the Times of India on Friday. The Times also reported the actor was struggling with depression at the time of his death.

Punjabi has starred in popular Bollywood films such as “Lakshya,” “Kaal” and “Salaam-E-Ishq.” He also rose to fame by winning the TV game show “Total Wipeout” in 2011. His other work includes TV shows such as “Ishq Mei Marjawan,” other reality TV programs like “Fear Factor,” as well as appearances as a dancer.

Friends, colleagues and fans reacted to his death on social media and shared condolences and raised awareness about the importance of mental health.

View this post on Instagram

Depression is not a CRIME.. we all are struggling with something or the other .. please talk .. please don’t pretend to be happy when you are breaking inside , fuck the bloody pressure of showing the world that EVERYTHING IS OK ! When it’s NOT !! , Kushal was a fighter .. he would be doing something new each time that we would connect , we were colleagues and not close friends but I know his family.. his parents and sister, they are simple and good people .. why did no one see this coming ? Cos mental health is a fuckin serious issue and people hide what’s really troubling them ,each one of us as at some point are bound to be in a dark space !! That’s life ! Now this wonderful guy is gone and all we can do is mull over “why” and “why couldn’t “ but the fact is that there is so much judging , so much “have to be relevant” , “maintaining the perfect image “ pressures we take on us and expect from others !! Stop generalising every damn thing .. pls be kind to each other , stay away from those who just gossip and bitch behind people’s backs and instead form a chain to protect and reach out .. Talk pls .. kushal is gone and we can’t get him back but we can be there for anyone who needs support .. I’m heartbroken but I’m there, anyone who wants to talk I’M HERE ???????? you have created a dent in our hearts and gone Kushal … can’t imagine the pain of your family and close ones ????

A post shared by Kavita (@ikavitakaushik) on

If this news is hard for you, know you are not alone — and there is help for people who feel suicidal. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “START” to 741-741 in the U.S. Head here for a list of resources around the world.

Resources

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources and international resources.

If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or reach the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741741.

Image via Creative Commons/Bollywood Hungama

Renee Fabian
 • 

Renée Fabian was the features editor at The Mighty. She has also written for The Washington Post, VICE, Healthline, Talkspace, The Fix, The Establishment, The Culture Trip, and GRAMMY.com, among others. Renée was named a 2019 AHCJ Comparative Effectiveness Research fellow, a 2020 USC Center for Health Journalism California fellow, and holds a master's degree in journalism from the University of Southern California and a master's degree in psychology from Antioch University Los Angeles. You can follow her on Twitter @ryfabian.

reneeyfabian
Originally published: December 27, 2019
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