Bollywood and TV actor Nitesh Pandey, who was last seen in Star Plus show Anupamaa, breathed his last on May 24. He died due to cardiac arrest at the age of 51. Nitesh’s sudden death has left everyone teary-eyed, especially his close friend Rupali Ganguly, who is shocked and devastated. She mourned the death of her close friend and colleague Nitesh and revealed he was the only industry friend who stayed constantly in touch with her during her sabbatical.
In a statement, the actress expressed her shock over the passing of Nitesh and even stated they both had made plans to make their sons meet. Rupali was quoted as saying, “He was the only industry friend who stayed constantly in touch with me apart from Delnaaz and Sarabhais, during my sabbatical. He had even come to meet me after 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.” ALSO READ: RIP Nitesh Pandey! Here’s All You Need To Know About The Actor, Producer Who Died At The Age Of 51
She added they both would bond over dogs. His wife Arpita is an animal caregiver, a feeder too like her. “I am devastated! He was so so so fiercely protective of me,” Ganguly stated. Speaking about Nitesh joining her show Anupamaa, the Sarabhai Vs Sarabhai star shared, “Even when he came to Anupamaa, it felt as if you have your bestie next to you at your workplace. Just this month beginning, I had gone very late for a get-together and saw his car leaving, so I called him and said I saw you and he said - tu ruk main aata hoon gaadi ghumake, and I said - no no ghar jaa agale hafte milte hai. Teen hafte ho gaye uss baat ko and now I will never meet him. I can't believe this.”
Nitesh Pandey played the role of Dheeraj Kapoor in Anupamaa which stars Rupali in the lead role. He also appeared in Shah Rukh Khan starrer ‘Om Shanti Om’ where he essayed the role of the actor’s assistant. Nitesh, who began his career as a theatre actor in the 90s, had been part of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. He was also seen in TV shows like Astitva... Ek Prem Kahani, Manzilein Apani Apani, Saaya, Durgesh Nandini and Justajoo. And, on the big screen, he was featured in movies such as Nitesh Pandey's Badhaai Do, Shaadi Ke Side Effects, Rangoon, and Khosla Ka Ghosla.