Mumbai: Film and television actor Akhil Mishra of the Aamir Khan starrer ‘3 Idiots’ fame died after falling off the kitchen balcony of his second floor flat in Mira Road on Wednesday. A case of accidental death was registered by the Navghar police in Bhayander (East).

Mishra (67) is remembered for his role of ‘librarian Dubey’ in the film ‘3 Idiots’ apart from the serial ‘Uttaran’. His presence was noticed in films such as ‘Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi’, ‘Gandhi My Father’ and ‘Don’. TV shows such as ‘Bhanwar’, ‘Sea Hawks’ and Shyam Benegal’s ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’ added lustre to his CV.

Mishra resided with his actor wife Suzanne Bernert, a German national, at Ranavat Heights in Ramdev Park. Bernert had left for Hyderabad for a shoot on Tuesday. Mishra was at home with his caretaker of several years.

Navghar police inspector Vijay Pawar said Mishra is believed to have fallen off the kitchen area of their flat while he was trying to dry clothes around 8 pm. Mishra sustained serious injuries on the body, including the legs, and was rushed to the Bhaktivedanta hospital in Mira Road where he later succumbed. Police said preliminary investigations have ruled out any foul play.

Police said Mishra ’s caretaker had gone out when the tragedy occurred. Their neighbour, a doctor, along with residents of the seven-storey building rushed Mishra to the hospital. The building was abuzz with activity as residents were celebrating the arrival of the Ganesh idol in the compound.

Bernert told the police that her husband had a fall in the house a few months ago. She told the police that he may have climbed on to the stool to hang the clothes in the dry area of the kitchen when he slipped and fell off the balcony. The kitchen balcony had partial grills.

The post-mortem was conducted and the final report is awaited, police said.

Mishra was earlier married to actor Manju Mishra who passed away in 1997. He married Bernert in 2009. Actor Manoj Bajpayee posted condolences on X (formerly Twitter) saying: “Rest in peace Akhil Mishra Ji! This is unbelievably shocking! May god bless your soul with peace & tranquility! Om Shanti.”