‘Sad, sad, sad': Celebrities, friends mourn Pratyusha's death

'Balika Vadhu' actress was found dead at her suburban residence in a suspected case of suicide.

Popular TV actress Pratyusha Banerjee, who shot to fame as Anandi in popular drama series 'Balika Vadhu', was found dead at her suburban residence in a suspected case of suicide.

The 24-year-old was found hanging from the ceiling at her flat in Bangur Nagar in suburban Kandivli, a police officer said. However, no suicide note was found from the flat, he said, adding the exact cause of the death, which occurred around afternoon, will be known only after an autopsy is conducted.

Reason for the extreme step was not yet known, but Banerjee was reportedly facing problems in her relationship with boyfriend Rahul Raj Singh. Her last status message on Whatsapp read, \"Marke bhi muh na tuzse modana\" (even after death won't be turning my face away from you) with a smiley.

Pratyusha's co star from 'Balika Vadhu', Siddharth Shukla said, \"She is no more with us. It's shocking. I spoke to her two-three months back and she was fine that time. I am at the hospital... trying to get details.\"

Her other major appearances on the small screen were in 'Bigg Boss 7', a reality show, and 'Jhalak Dikhla Jha', a dance programme. She was last seen in TV show 'Hum Hain Naa'.

Reacting to the news, actor Ajaz Khan who was with Pratyusha on Bigg Boss Season 7, said that he didn't think it was \"suicide but a planned murder\". He said, \"This can't be suicide. She was a strong girl she can't commit suicide. I feel this is murder and if this is suicide then she was forced to commit suicide. This has happened because of her love life. She had stopped meeting her friends also because he (her boyfriend) didn't like it. When I had met the guy, I had told Pratyusha that you are a beautiful girl please be careful... I met her a couple of days ago and she was fine. So now suddenly suicide! There's obviously something fishy.\"

Bollywood producer Tanuj Garg tweeted, \"Terrible, terrible news about Pratyusha Banerjee. Met her once at a party. How extreme must pressures be to drive one to take one's own life.\"

Bigg Boss co-contestant Kushal Tandon wrote, \"The news is absolutely saddening. I know life is tough but why do you need to do this. She was so young, I don't know what happened. Lots of strength to her family during this time.\"

A few fellow actors like Ratan Rajput and Jay Bhanushali said they thought it was an April fool prank, but were shocked when the news was confirmed.

\"I got to know at around 9 pm when I was shooting for my show. I thought somebody was making April fool joke. Then I checked with our common friend Vikas Gupta and he said it was true. I was shocked. This is unbelievable,\" Ratan said.

\"It is really sad. She took such a big step and I don't know why. Initially I thought it must be an April fool's prank but then I got it confirmed through some of my media friends and close associates,\" Bhanushali said.

Recalling time spent with her, Ratan said Pratyusha was a \"chirpy, bubbly girl, always smiling and laughing. I spent one month with her in Bigg Boss house. We last met at the screening of film 'Kuku Mathur ki jhand' and laughed so much about our times in Bigg Boss. I still feel that she hasn't gone and this just a fake news,\" she said.

Another co-contestant Gauhar tweeted, \"Sad sad sad. Nothing's worth ending your one beautiful gift called life for... My heart bleeds for the parents and family... #suicidesnvrthecure.\"

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Heartbroken about the news.... @PratsBanerjee ,