Prashant Tamang, Indian Idol 3 winner and Paatal Lok 2 actor, dies at 43; friends recall his surprise role in the hit series

prashant tamang dies at 42

• Prashant Tamang, Indian Idol winner, died at 43 from cardiac arrest in New Delhi
• Praised for Paatal Lok S2, beloved by fans and peers
• Funeral plans are being discussed, with uncertainty over location

Did our AI summary help?

Renowned singer and actor Prashant Tamang passed away on January 11, 2026 at the age of 43, leaving the Indian entertainment industry and his fans grieving the loss of a beloved artist. The Indian Idol Season 3 winner and Paatal Lok Season 2 actor died suddenly from a cardiac arrest at his residence in Janak Puri, New Delhi, according to close friends.

In February 2025, Prashant had talked about his experience working on the show and said, “Some of my friends are shocked to see me in Paatal Lok Season 2 as I didn’t tell too many people about it but they are all very happy for me. Apart from my family, those who followed me during Indian Idol Season 3 have appreciated my performance in the show. I had talked about it to a few of my close friends from the Indian Idol days, such as Deepali Sahay, Meiyang Chang, Amit Paul, Abhishek Kumar and Parleen Gill. We are still in touch,” he told The Telegraph Online.

Prashant had first shot to national fame after winning Indian Idol Season 3 in 2007, a moment that made him a household name and a source of pride for fans across India and the Gorkha community in particular. His soulful voice and compelling performances throughout the reality show endeared him to millions, and he later released music and toured extensively after his victory.

In recent years, Tamang expanded his artistic portfolio into acting. He received praise for his role as Daniel Acho, a sniper in the popular crime drama Paatal Lok Season 2 on Prime Video, where he delivered a memorable performance that resonated with audiences. Reflecting on the role before the show’s release, he had shared how many of his friends were “shocked” to see him in the cast because he hadn’t told many people he was part of the series, though they were ultimately happy for his success.

Also read: Pataal Lok actor and Indian Idol winner Prashant Tamang passes away at age 43 after suffering heart attack

Friends and colleagues who spoke about his sudden passing described him as “hale and hearty” only days before his death, making the news even more devastating. Plans for his funeral were being discussed by family, with some uncertainty over whether the ceremony would be held in Delhi or his hometown of Darjeeling.