Kunal Singh

Kunal Singh (29 September 1977 – 7 February 2008), popularly known as Kunal, was an Indian actor who mainly appeared in Tamil films. He is best known for his lead role in Kathir's Kadhalar Dhinam (1999), following which he appeared in 16 more films. His death in 2008 from apparent suicide garnered significant media attention.

Kunal Singh
Kunal in the 1999 Tamil film Kadhalar Dhinam
Born
Kunalkrishna Singh

29 September 1977
Haryana, India
Died7 February 2008(2008-02-07) (aged 30)
OccupationFilm actor
Years active1999–2007

Career

Kunal was introduced in Kathir's 1999 romantic film Kadhalar Dhinam, alongside Hindi actress Sonali Bendre. He played a young student who falls in love with Bendre's character over the internet. After the relative success of Kadhalar Dhinam, Kunal appeared in a series of films like Paarvai Ondre Podhume (2001) and Punnagai Desam (2002).

Then, he appeared in many flops like Pesadha Kannum Pesume, Enge Enadhu Kavithai and Unarchigal. Several of his later films were started and then shelved, like Nava's Nilavinilae opposite Vijayalakshmi, Kimu Kipi opposite Susan, and Rithik's Kadhalithal Anandam, which would have featured him alongside Livingston and Kausalya.[1][2][3] Moreover, two films which he had signed opposite actress Sherin Shringar, Jai Adithya's Kadhal Thiruda and Nanda's Thodu, were shot and unreleased.[4]

When he was unable to find roles as an actor, he served as assistant editor for several films and turned to producing.[5] His last film was Nanbanin Kadhali, which released in 2007.

Death

On 7 February 2008, Kunal was found hanging from the ceiling in his Mumbai apartment by actress Lavina Bhatia. The apparent suicide was challenged by his father Rajendra Singh who claimed that the body showed signs of suspicious bruising. Bhatia was detained by police in connection with his death, but she was later released after the police could not prove a motive. The police were unable to prove that anyone was present in Kunal's apartment at the time of his death and ruled out Bhatia as a suspect as Kunal had a black belt in karate;[6] furthermore, Kunal had attempted suicide by slashing his wrists several months earlier. At the time of his death, Kunal was working on a Hindi film, Yogi, which was being produced by his newly formed production company Balagiri.[7][8] The case was referred to CBI and Prof T D Dogra of All India Institute of Medical Sciences. He examined the scene of crime along with CBI and opined in favor of suicide.[9]

Filmography

  • All films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.
YearFilmRoleNotes
1999Kadhalar DhinamRaja
2000Dil Hi Dil MeinRajaHindi film; partially reshot version of Kadhalar Dhinam
2001Paarvai Ondre PodhumeVinod
2002Punnagai DesamRaja
Varushamellam VasanthamRamesh
Pesadha Kannum PesumeVikram
Enge Enadhu KavithaiBabu
ArputhamArvind
2004Super DaRahul
2005Devathaiyai KandenBala
PesuvomaElango
Thirudiya IdhayathaiGanesh
SaadhuriyanGanesh
Sollattuma
Sorry Enaku KalyanamayidichuVijay
Unarchigal
2007Nanbanin KadhaliSurya

References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20030731094320/http://chennaionline.com/entertainment/filmplus/tmaking.asp
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20041118132825/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/cinenews/13-02/sarath.htm
  3. http://www.behindwoods.com/News/25-3-05/kunal_hero.htm
  4. http://www.behindwoods.com/News/30-3-05/kunal_sherin.htm
  5. Renni Abraham (8 February 2008). "I saw actor Kunal Singh hanging, says friend". Daily News & Analysis. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  6. "Court orders CBI probe into actor's murder". Times of India. 18 December 2009. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  7. Jaidev Hemmady (8 December 2009). "Plot thickens in Bollywood murder mystery". Indian Express. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  8. "Actor found dead in Lokhandwala flat". Indian Express. 8 February 2008. Archived from the original on 9 October 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
  9. "Bombay High Court,Ms.Lovina Pankaj Bhatia vs Central Bureau Of Investigation on 12 August, 2011". Bombay High Court. 12 August 2011. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
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