Bollywood actor Inder Kumar, who worked in superstar Salman Khan-starrers like "Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge" and "Wanted", died on early Friday. He was 45.
Raju Kariya, father of Inder's first wife Sonal, confirmed the news to IANS over phone from Amravati.
"It was a heart attack. It happened around 2 a.m. on Friday. He was not suffering from anything (any disease)," Kariya told IANS.
Inder breathed his last at his residence in Four Bungalows, at Andheri, here. He is survived by daughter Khushi, whom he had with Sonal, and his second wife Pallavi.
"He was from Kolkata, but was born in Jaipur and has worked in (around) 20 films," Kariya said.
Inder worked in films like "Masoom", "Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi", "Tirchhi Topiwale", "Kunwara", "Baaghi" and "Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye" too. He also made an appearance as the lead character Mihir Virani in the popular show "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi". Earlier this year, he was shooting for "Phati Padi Hai Yaar".
In 2014, Inder had hit the headlines for being arrested on charges of rape after a 23-year-old model-cum-actress lodged a complaint accusing him of raping her after promising to give her lead roles in Bollywood movies.
Celebrities like Abhishek Bachchan, Anupam Kher and Raveena Tandon were shocked at the news of Inder's death.
"Omg shocking news. Worked with him in 'Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi'. Too young to go. May his soul rest in peace. God give strength to his family," Raveena wrote.
God! Just read of the passing of Inder Kumar. Very sad. He was such a nice guy and actor. Always was very kind to me. Rest in peace.
— Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) July 28, 2017
Abhishek commented: "Very sad. He was such a nice guy and actor. Always was very kind to me. Rest in peace."
Anupam said: "Deeply saddened by untimely demise of Inder Kumar. Have acted with him in a few films. He was very simple, humble and a very committed actor."
Actor Riteish Deshmukh recounted how Inder "always met with a smile".
Sonu Sood also condoled Inder's death saying: "So sad to know about actor Inder kumar passing away! Such a nice guy. Used to workout in my gym. May his soul rest in peace."
Omg shocking news.worked with him in "khiladiyon ka khiladi" Too young to go.May his soul rest in peace.God give strength to his family🕉 https://t.co/GMTvRdg6Gh
— Raveena Tandon (@TandonRaveena) July 28, 2017
Too young to go, deeply saddened by the passing away of the actor #InderKumar - he always met with a smile. #RIP condolences to the family
— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) July 28, 2017
Shocked to hear about Inder Kumar! May his soul rest in peace! 🙌🙌
— Tusshar (@TusshKapoor) July 28, 2017
Shocking news.. so sad. #InderKumar passes away. He was 43. #RIPInderKumar pic.twitter.com/mRJISFbatE
— Rannvijay singha (@RannvijaySingha) July 28, 2017
After some initial flops, Inder Kumar became totally dependent on his relationships with established actors for more roles. And then an accident happened, which completely changed his life.
He was shooting for director Partho Ghosh’s film Maseeha when he fell from a moving helicopter. He was doing his own stunts when it happened. He was playing the second fiddle to Sunil Shetty in the film and was determined to make his mark with this film.
He was advised bed rest for three years by the doctors and these years practically sounded a death knell for his career. Inder Kumar narrates the incident to the Times Of India in an interview in 2004. He says, “I fell from a helicopter while shooting for the film Masiha and I was bed-ridden for the next three years. With a broken vertebrae, doctors in Mumbai said that my chances of getting back on my feet are slim.”
Later, he was arrested for sexually assaulting an aspiring actor. He was interviewed by Mid-Day in 2014 in which he says, “When I got arrested, my daughter fell ill. My wife, Pallavi, asked for help to bail me out, but no one came forward.”
He elaborates his situation in the same interview, “It is difficult for me to get a house on rent now. My stuff is lying in a warehouse and we are living at a friend’s place. Only one person stood by us, Dolly Bindra, other than her, my wife and I didn’t receive a single phone call from anyone in the film industry.”
Now when the actor is gone, we can only rue the star he could have been.
