Actor Asif Basra dies by suicide at 53

Asif Basra starred in films like Black Friday, Parzania, Outsourced, Jab We Met, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Kai Po Che, Krrish 3, Ek Villain, Kaalakaandi and Hichki.

He was last seen in season 2 of the web series Hostages, which released earlier this year.

Shocked at Asif Basra’s demise, Sachin Krishn, who directed Hostages Season 2, told indianexpress.com, “I am stunned by the news. I don’t know the full facts. He was such a jovial person on sets. In fact, we used to envy his life because he would stay in the hills and come to Mumbai only to shoot. He was not only a fine actor but more importantly, a beautiful person. It feels like a personal loss.”

Sachin mentioned how he had tried contacting Asif several times since September after the show went live, but the late actor never responded. “I got in touch with every actor after Hostages season two, so I was trying to get in touch with him too. I would ask my associates to reach out to him, but there would be no response. I would think, ‘What’s wrong with him?’ and later thought maybe I offended him. In this industry, you feel maybe the actor wasn’t happy the way the graph of his character was shown. But now, I am shocked.”

Several celebrities took to social media to mourn the demise of Asif Basra.

Manoj Bajpayee tweeted, “What? This is too shocking!! Shot with him just before Lockdown!!! Oh My God!!!”

Maanvi Gagroo posted on Twitter, “This is terrible news. RIP Asif. Thank you for all your encouraging words every time we bumped into each other. 🙏”

Hansal Mehta took to Twitter and wrote, “Asif Basra! Can’t be true… This is just very, very sad.”

“This is shocking. I was very fond of him, the little work we did together, I completely adored him. Sad. RIP brother Asif,” Kiku Sharda said via Twitter.

There are several NGOs across the country that are committed to the cause of mental health. They run counselling services and suicide helplines for anyone in danger of committing suicide:

Lifeline Foundation – +91 33 24637401, +91 33 24637432
Address – 17/1A Alipore Road
Sarat Bose Road 700 027
Kolkata

Sumaitri – 011-23389090
E-mail- feelingsuicidal@sumaitri.net
Address – Sumaitri
Aradhana Hostel Complex
No. 1 Bhagwan Das Lane
Bhagwan Das Road
New Delhi

Nagpur Suicide Prevention Helpline – 8888817666

The Samaritans Mumbai – 022 6464 3267, 022 6565 3267, 022 6565 3247
Address – B-3, Trisandhya
Behind Ambika Sarees
Dadasaheb Phalke Road
Dadar (E) 400014
Mumbai

Click here to know about more helplines