New Delhi: The sudden death of actor Asif Basra has left Bollywood in shock. Asif, who was a familiar face of the industry, was allegedly killed by suicide in Dharamshala on Thursday. The 53-year-old actor was found hanged in a private residential complex, police said.
“He hanged himself around 12-12.30 today. We are investigating the matter. We have sent the body for an autopsy … Prima facie is a suicide case,” Kangra Police Superintendent Vimukt Ranjan told reporters.
When news of Asif Basra’s death broke, members of the film fraternity paid tribute to the actor.
Actress Kareena Kapoor, with whom Asif co-starred in ‘Jab We Met’ in a small but pivotal role, shared: “Rest in peace, Asif Basra. A deepest condolences to the family and loved ones.”
Actress Anushka Sharma, who produced ‘Paatal Lok,’ the web series Asif recently starred in, took to her Instagram stories to mourn his passing. She wrote, “My condolences and my prayers to the family and loved ones. RIP Asif Basra.”
Shraddha Kapoor posted a heartbreaking emoji to express her tribute.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui said: “It is incredible, yet another loss of a dear friend Asif Basra: a gem of talent and a personality full of life. Rest in peace my friend, more power to the family.”
It’s amazing, yet another loss of a dear friend #AsifBasra – jewel of talent and personality full of life
Rest in peace my friend: more power to the family pic.twitter.com/6j6yW4z4Oy– Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@Nawazuddin_S) November 12, 2020
Director Hansal Mehta tweeted: “Asif Basra! It can’t be true … This is very, very sad.”
Asif Basra! It can’t be true … This is very, very sad.
– Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) November 12, 2020
His tweet was quoted by actor Manoj Bajpayee, who wrote: “What? This is too shocking! Filmed with him just before Lockdown !!! Oh my gosh !!!”
What? This is too shocking !! I shoot with him just before Lockdown! Oh my God!!! https://t.co/alfYTGxChH
– manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) November 12, 2020
“In shock. I can’t believe we lost him. Asif Basra. I used to see him so often in the park jogging. He told me not to jog sideways, I could lose my balance and hurt myself,” tweeted filmmaker Onir .
Rahul Dholakia, who directed Asif Basra in the National Award winner ‘Parzania’ and the one starring Sanjay Dutt ‘Lamhaa’, said: “I mean, why would I? Very sad: I had directed it in Parzania ( Chagan), in Lamhaa. (The Darzee) and also in society … Very sad to hear about his passing! Asif Basra, I hope you are at peace. “
Surprised to hear about Basra !! What a wonderful actor and jovial companion, I mean why would he? Very sad – I had directed him in Parzania (Chagan), in Lamhaa (the Darzee) – and also in society – Very sad to know of his passing !! #asifbasra I hope you are at peace.
– rahul dholakia (@rahuldholakia) November 12, 2020
Meanwhile, casting director Mukesh Chhabra tweeted, “This can’t be true Asif Bhai, we’ve worked a lot together from ‘Kai Po Che’ to ‘Hostages 2’. I can’t believe this! What’s going on?”
This cannot be true Asif Bhai, we have worked a lot together from Kai Po Che to Hostages 2
I can not believe this!
What’s going on ??????????? #asifbasra– Mukesh Chhabra CSA (@CastingChhabra) November 12, 2020
Asif Basra had been a part of several movies and TV shows, including ‘Jab We Met’, ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai’, ‘Kai Po Che!’, ‘Paatal Lok’ and ‘Hostages 2’.
The actor’s body was recovered by police officers. He had rented a property in McLeodganj about five years ago and visited the place regularly.
In his career of more than two decades, Asif Basra played supporting roles in many critically acclaimed films such as ‘Black Friday’, ‘Parzania’ and ‘Outsourced’.
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