Anupamaa actor Nitesh Pandey dies of a cardiac arrest at 51, shocked TV fraternity responds

Nitesh was part of the entertainment industry for almost 25 years where he worked largely on TV, theatre and cinema. He started his career in theatre in early 90s and went on to do a number of shows on television. He appeared in shows such as Tejas, Manzilein Apani Apani, Saaya, Astitva Ek Prem Kahani, Justajoo and Durgesh Nandini. He also had a production house. His most prominent films remain Badhaai Do, Om Shanti Om and Khosla Ka Ghosla, among others. Anupamaa and Pyar Ka Dard Hai Meetha Meetha Pyara Pyara remain his last TV appearances.

The actor who did several comic roles throughout his career, once told The Indian Express, that for him ‘comedy’ is one of the toughest genres. He had said, “You need impeccable timing and you need to be in sync with your co-stars. And making people laugh is the toughest job.”

Pandey’s colleagues were shocked by his death and many paid tributes. Actor and CINTAA member Amit Behl told indianexpress.com that they got the news about Nitesh passing away early Wednesday morning. He called it a huge loss and sent out prayers to the family.

Deven Bhojani wrote on Twitter, “This can’t be true but it is. Friend, colleague and a talented actor Nitesh Pandey dies of cardiac arrest at 2am today in Igatpuri. Rest in peace Nitesh 🙏🏻 #Actor #Anupama.” He also released a statement which read, “The day began with two really sad news. Deaths of two very talented people. Had opportunities to direct both of them. Vaibhavi Upadhyay as Jasmine in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and Nitesh Pandey in a mythological show of Star network. Vaibhavi met with an accident last evening in North India and Nitesh passed away today at 2am due to cardiac arrest in Igatpuri. Life can be so unpredictable. May God bless their souls 🙏🏻.”

Actor Rajeshwri Sachdev also mourned his demise and tweeted, “#NiteshPandey … gone too soon! Shocking! Rest in eternal peace 🙏🙏🙏.”

This can’t be true but it is. Friend, colleague and a talented actor Nitesh Pandey dies of cardiac arrest at 2am today in Igatpuri. Rest in peace Nitesh 🙏🏻
#Actor #Anupama pic.twitter.com/HJ6PB3BYz2

— DEVEN BHOJANI (@Deven_Bhojani) May 24, 2023

Sad news
ॐ शांति 🙏 Nitesh Pandey no more pic.twitter.com/IHNYDmfSrp

— Sᴜᴢᴀɴɴᴇ Bᴇʀɴᴇʀᴛ (@suzannebernert) May 24, 2023

Nitesh Pandey : 17 January 1973- 23 May 2023
Good bye sir 🙏 pic.twitter.com/LJgUY2BQGC

— “SuperGullu” (@gulshandevaiah) May 24, 2023

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Anupamaa actor Rupali Ganguly also mourned Nitesh’s death. “He was the only industry friend who stayed constantly in touch with me apart from Delnaaz and Sarabhai cast during my sabbatical. He had even come to meet me after my son Rudransh was born. I can’t believe this. His son Aarav is just a few months older than Rudransh. He had messaged me just last week about a painting he had made and we had made plans to make our sons meet.

“Even when he came to Anupamaa,  it felt as if you have your bestie next to you at your workplace. Just this month, I had got delayed at a film get-together when I spotted his car. I called him and said I saw you and he said ‘tu ruk main aata hoon gaadi ghumake (you wait, I am coming)’, and I said ‘agale hafte milte hai. Teen hafte ho gaye uss baat ko and now I will never meet him (I said we will meet next week. This happened three weeks ago)’.  I can’t believe this!”, shares Rupali.

His mortal remains will be brought to Mumbai on Wednesday where his last rites will be performed. He is survived by wife Arpita Pandey.