Actor Asif Basra, known for starring in movies such as Jab We Met, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai and Kai Po Che!, died on Thursday in Dharamshala, the police said. He was 53. The actor was found dead in a private complex by the police and a team of forensic experts is on the spot, said SSP Kangra Vimukt Ranjan.The police is investigating the case and further details are awaited, Ranjan added. It is being reported that the actor had a property on lease for the past five-six years in McLeodganj, Upper Dharamshala, and used to visit the place regularly.
In his over two decade-long career, Basra played supporting parts in many critically-acclaimed features like Black Friday, Parzania and Outsourced. Among his notable performances in Hindi cinema, Basra played a cunning stall owner in Imtiaz Ali's 2007 film Jab We Met, alongside the likes of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Shahid Kapoor.
He played the father of Emraan Hashmi's Shoaib Khan in Milan Luthria's Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010). Asif also acted in couple of films from the south industry, like Anjaan (Tamil) and Big Brother (Malayalam).
He was last seen on the big screen in Vivek Agnihotri’s 2019 movie The Tashkent Files alongside Shweta Basu Prasad, Naseeruddin Shah and Mithun Chakraborty. Basra also starred in Amazon Prime Video's hit series Paatal Lok, and was last seen in the Disney+ Hotstar series Hostages, the second season of which was released earlier this year.
Members of the film industry expressed shock at the actor’s sudden death. Filmmaker Hansal Mehta wrote on Twitter, “Can't be true... This is just very, very sad.”
Actor Manoj Bajpayee said he had just shot with him before the lockdown. “What? This is too shocking!! Shot with him just before Lockdown!!! Oh My God!!!” Bajpayee wrote.
What? This is too shocking!! Shot with him just before Lockdown!!! Oh My God!!! https://t.co/alfYTGxChH
— manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) November 12, 2020
“I can’t believe he is gone! RIP #asifbasra gone to soon! Great actor and great enthusiast!” wrote Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty.
I can’t believe he is gone! RIP #asifbasra gone to soon! Great actor and great enthusiast! pic.twitter.com/L0NTJSgew2
— resul pookutty (@resulp) November 12, 2020
If you are aware of anyone facing mental health issues or feeling suicidal, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide-prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 amd and 7 pm)
Aasara offers support to inidviduals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.