When Prashant Tamang revealed his friends were shocked to see him as villain in Paatal Lok 2, said, "I didn’t tell too many people that..."

When Prashant Tamang revealed his friends were shocked to see him as villain in Paatal Lok 2, said, "I didn’t tell too many people that..."

• Prashant Tamang, Indian Idol 3 winner, passed away at 43 on January 11, 2026
• He played Daniel Acho, a sniper, in Paatal Lok Season 2, surprising many fans
• Tamang credited mentors and cherished support from old Indian Idol friends

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When Prashant Tamang stepped into the dark, gritty world of Paatal Lok Season 2, it came as a surprise not just to viewers, but also to people who had known him for years. Long before he played a cold-blooded sniper on screen, Prashant Tamang was the soft-spoken singer who won Indian Idol 3, capturing hearts across the country. His sudden passing on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the age of 43, has now cast a poignant light on one of the most unexpected chapters of his life and career.

In a candid conversation with The Telegraph Online, Prashant Tamang had spoken about how surreal it felt to be seen in a negative role on such a popular series. In Paatal Lok Season 2, he played Daniel Acho, a sharp-shooting sniper whose quiet menace stood in stark contrast to his real-life image.

Reflecting on the reaction, he 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.”

He explained that the secrecy was intentional, partly out of nervous excitement and partly because he wanted the performance to speak for itself.

“Apart from my family, those who followed me during Indian Idol Season 3 have appreciated my performance in the show,” he shared, clearly moved by the validation.

For Prashant Tamang, the appreciation carried extra weight because it came from people who had seen him evolve over two decades.

Also Read: Paatal Lok 2 actor Prashant Tamang’s mortal remains reach Siliguri, hometown Darjeeling prepares for final farewell

He also revealed that he had confided in a handful of old friends from his Indian Idol days. “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 said, underlining how those early bonds had endured long after the spotlight faded.

Tamang often spoke about life after winning Indian Idol 3 as a journey filled with patience and reinvention.

Fame arrived early, but sustaining a creative life meant learning new skills, accepting smaller opportunities, and waiting for the right roles. His casting in Paatal Lok became one of those rare moments where preparation met opportunity.

In January 2025, he publicly acknowledged the guidance he received on set, especially from Jaideep Ahlawat and Amrit Singh. Sharing pictures with them on Instagram, Tamang wrote, “My two mentors who helped, pushed and gave me that confidence to become #DanielAcho… Thank you so much sir, wouldn’t have been possible without your immense support (sic).”

Released on January 17, 2025, Paatal Lok Season 2, created by Sudip Sharma, followed Inspector Hathi Ram Chaudhary into the tense landscapes of North-East India. For Prashant Tamang, it also marked a quiet triumph, proof that his story did not end with a reality show win, but kept unfolding in unexpected, courageous ways.