What killed Uday Kiran? Telugu actor's suicide shrouded in mystery

Popular Telugu cinema actor Uday Kiran was found hanging from the ceiling at his apartment at Srinagar Colony, Punjagutta (Hyderabad) on Sunday night.

As per initial reports it is suspected that the actor committed suicide, although it is not clear yet as to why he took the drastic step.

Apparently depressed over not getting films, the actor committed suicide. Kiran was allegedly depressed over not getting any new film since February last year.

No suicide note was found in the flat. The police have registered a case of suspicious death after the medical examination of the actor.

Indian daily Hindustan Times reports that a police officer quoted his wife and other family members as saying that he was in deep depression for the last few days.

Investigators gathered clues at the flat and questioned security guard and the actor's neighbours. They also seized his mobile phone and laptop for further investigation.

Meanwhile, a lawyer filed a petition in State Human Rights Commission, seeking direction to the government to order probe into the actor's suicide. The petitioner alleged that four families are ruling the Telugu film industry and cited this as the cause for Kiran's suicide.

Kiran, 33, is survived by his wife Vishita, has acted in 19 films including three Tamil movies.

Born in Jan 26, 1980, Kiran began his film career with Telugu film 'Chitram', a romantic-drama in 2000. He had a meteoric rise in the industry as the first movie directed by Teja proved a hit.

This was followed by 'Nuvvu Neenu' and 'Manasantha Nuvve', which were also huge successes.

In 2001, he bagged the Filmfare best actor award and achieved the distinction of being the youngest to bag the honour.

Soon after that he faced a tough time in both professional and personal life.

He was engaged to superstar Chiranjeevi's elder daughter in 2003 but the marriage was called off.

It is rumoured that this angered the powerful Chiranjeevi and Kiran faced his ire.

Kiran's last Telugu film was 'Jai Sreeram' released last year. It was sequel to his earlier movie 'Sreeram'.

It was on Oct 24, 2012 he married his long-time friend Vishita.

His death has shocked the Telugu, Tamil and a section of Hindi film industry which had remade some of his hits.

Kiran's death has also sparked a controversy with a section alleging that he was deliberately sidelined by the top stars and producers after his fabulous initial years.

A group representing Brahmins (Kiran's caste-group) alleged that two castes - Kamma and Kapu (to which a majority of Telugu heroes includingChiranjeevi belong to) do not allow others to grow in the industry.

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