'Balika Vadhu' actor's 'suicide' unravels… boyfriend quizzed

Even as the Indian entertainment industry and the mini-screen fans of ‘Balika Vadhu’ are yet to come to grips with the star’s sudden demise, claims and counter-claims surrounding the alleged suicide have begun to surface. Numerous theories have emerged on what could’ve possibly driven her to take such an extreme step. From relationship troubles to lack of good roles, to depression, the list is endless.

According to local media reports, preliminary autopsy suggests Pratyusha Banerjee died of asphyxiation and hanging.

Her live-in boyfriend and co-actor Rahul Raj Singh, who was the first to discover her hanging in their apartment on Friday, is being questioned by cops.

While some of Pratyusha friends allege all was not well in her personal life, her family has dismissed any such claim, according to police sources.

According to Indian media, many of Pratyusha’s friends, some of whom were with her in reality show ‘Bigg Boss’ accused her boyfriend (and actor) Rahul Raj Singh of torturing and harassing her. Actress Dolly Bindra said Pratyusha was a strong girl and “cannot commit suicide”. In fact, she went a step further and uploaded the telephone recording of her conversation with Pratyusha’s mother, which has since been trashed as “insensitive and cheap”.

Actor Ajaz Khan called it a “planned murder”, while Rakhi Sawant claimed she was upset over Rahul’s ex-girlfriend Saloni. Actress Kamya Punjabi claimed she saw injury marks on her face, and are urging the cops to look into “domestic violence angle”.

Producer Vikas Gupta said he had offered her a show but she did not take it up because of her troubled relationship.

Pradeep Yadav, who directed her in Balika Vadhu, told The Indian Express that it could be lack of good roles that could have wrecked her.

But Singh’s lawyer claims he is ‘innocent’.

Police has not found any indication of foul play, reports NDTV.

Meanwhile, Pratyusha's last rites were carried out at the Oshiwara Crematorium in the presence of her parents, other family members, her friends, actors and co-stars from the television industry.

The 24-year-old actress, who shot to fame as Anandi in celebrated drama ‘Balika Vadhu’, went on to sign ‘Bigg Boss’, ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5’, ‘Sasural Simar Ka’ and finally ‘Power Couple’. She was found hanging at her suburban Mumbai residence, it was Rahul who took her to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.