Mumbai: TV actress Divya Bhatnagar, known for her roles in serials like ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ and ‘Udann’, died of complications caused by Covid-19 on Monday. The 34-year-old actress, who was hospitalised nearly two weeks ago, was suffering from pneumonia, which worsened owing to Coronavirus, her family had said. Her oxygen level had dropped to 71 and her mother said she was on a ventilator.

Actors Devoleena Bhattacharjee and Shilpa Shirodkar shared the news of her death and posted pictures on social media. Bhattacharjee wrote, “I know life was too hard on you. The pain is intolerable. But I know today you must be in a better place and free from all the sorrows, pains, sadness, cheats, lies.”

Bhatnagar became known for her part as housemaid Gulabo in the long-running ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’, that she featured in from 2009-2011. Another, ‘Sawaare Sabke Sapne.. Preeto’ saw her as a character named Jasmeet Dhillon. She had also acted in TV shows ‘Udann’ and ‘Jeet Gayi Toh Piyaa Morre’.

Yeh Rishta’s actor Karan Mehra said on social media, “Woke up today to this shocking news of my colleague @divyabhatnagarofficial passing away. One of my favourite people on sets who would light up the room with her laughter and cuteness-...Such is life with its hardships and uncertainties...May God rest your soul in peace.”

Bhatnagar’s mother had levelled allegations against the actress's husband Gagan for having “duped and abandoned” her, but he denied the charges in a lengthy defence online.

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Television actress Divya Bhatnagar, 36, who was hospitalized on November 26 following health complications, passed away on Monday at around 3 am after suffering a cardiac arrest. She also had pneumonia and had tested positive for Coronavirus. After her condition became critical, she was put on a ventilator.

Her brother Devashish Bhatnagar was inconsolable as he broke the news to us. He said, “We were hoping that she would recover. My mother is heartbroken. I have to stay strong for her. This is a very difficult time for us and the pain is unbearable.”

While he is currently busy with the paperwork, Devashish says he plans to file a case against his deceased sister’s estranged husband, Gagan aka Gabru. He says, “Gagan started torturing Divya physically and mentally soon after their marriage. She had written a note on November 7, in which she had stated that Gagan tortures and abuses her. We found the note in her cupboard yesterday. She had also approached the police and filed an NC on November 16 against him, following an episode of domestic abuse. I had told her to stay strong when I got to talk to her during her hospitalization.”