Three months ago Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai! actor Deepesh Bhan passed away suddenly due to brain hemorrhage. He had tied the knot in 2019 and had a one-and-half-year old baby. He also had a loan on a flat that he had to repay, which amounted to Rs 59 lakhs. Understandably, it was a very difficult period for his family.

That’s when actress Saumya Tandon stepped in and shared this on social media. She started a fund and appealed to people to contribute, so that Deepesh’s family could pay off his loan. Many from the industry stepped in and the money was soon settled. Saumya says it was heartening to see people step in to help.

She shares, “Actors do not have anything like pension or PF like in the case of other jobs. Their income is project-based and can be irregular at times, which makes it tougher for them. Hence, it’s even more important that their workplace and colleagues extend help. When I started this fund after the demise of Deepesh, everyone was so kind to offer help, including producer Benaifer Kohli, who collected funds from the director, actors and artistes on the sets; CINTAA and the channel also helped. A large amount came from the public as well. I always tell people to get insurance. Things like health insurance, home loan insurance etc are so important. I have taken it upon myself to make sure that everyone in my staff is insured.”

Saumya also feels a lot more needs to be done for members from the television and film fraternity. She says, “There are so many times when actors or their families are in financial need. Sometimes we even see aged actors in need of monetary help. I feel that like other professions, who have a pension system, we too can have such a fund or pension system that will eventually help people in need. Apart from that, at a personal level, too, we should keep helping people around us who require it.”

More recently, news of Mere Sai actress Anaya Soni, who needs money for her kidney transplant, surfaced. Talking about Anaya, Saumya said, “It is extremely sad to hear what Anaya is going through. I hope her friends, family and colleagues help her in her tough times. Having said that, no one is obliged to help, but we can help each other and lift each other in difficult times.”

Actor Saumya Tandon refuses to talk about the fundraiser she had started to help her late Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hain! co-star Deepesh Bhan’s family when we contact her first. She makes it clear she doesn’t want any “publicity out of this”. When prodded to share how much time it took for them to finally collect the required amount of Rs. 50 lakh, she reluctantly opens up. 

“Deepesh was a very important character in our show, and I had a good rapport with him. He was always respectful. His death was a shock because he didn’t drink or have any bad habits. He had put all his life’s earnings into buying a house in Mumbai after he got married three years ago,” Tandon shares.

The actor recalls that Bhan had faced trouble getting a home loan. Eventually, he managed to get a Rs. 50 lakh loan. “He left behind his wife and a newborn, who had no means to pay off the loan. He didn’t take the option of insurance on his loan, because it would have cost him extra. His wife doesn’t work, her father had died and her brother was unable to assist,” Tandon tells us, adding that people around her dissuaded her by saying this would not yield any results.

However, Tandon went ahead anyway: “We managed to collect Rs. 30 lakh in just three days. That reinstated my belief in humanity. People keep saying there is more bad, but I will say there’s more good in this world.”

The sudden death of Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai actor, Deepesh Bhan, has shocked the television industry. The 41-year-old actor breathed his last yesterday. He was playing cricket near his home when he collapsed and was rushed to a hospital. His co-actors from the show, who were supposed to shoot with him later in the day, say that they are unable to come to terms with his sudden demise.

His co-actor Charrul Malik said, “I had met him on Friday, and he was fine. We even made a few reels together. I have known him for the last eight years, and he was closest to me on the sets. We used to eat our food together. I just can’t believe this. Apart from being a talented actor, he was a great human being too. We have lost an amazing human and an actor.” Deepesh played the role of Malkhan on the show and was known for his comic timing.

Rohitashv Gour, who was among the cast members scheduled to shoot with Deepesh yesterday, said, “Our call time for the show was a little late yesterday. So, I think after his gym, he went to a ground to play cricket. It was a part of his fitness routine. But while playing the sport, he suddenly collapsed and fell. This is a big shock for all of us. He led a healthy lifestyle and was a fitness enthusiast. I don’t know how to express what I am feeling right now.”

The actor was also seen in shows like May I Come in Madam? and Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.

The producers of the show, Benaifer Kohli and Sanjay Kohli shared, “We are deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden demise of our beloved Deepesh Bhan. He was one of the most dedicated actors in Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai and like our family. He will be deeply missed by all. Our heartfelt condolences to his family. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

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Bhabi Ji Ghar Par Hai actor Deepesh Bhan passed away on Saturday morning while playing cricket at 43. His co-star, veteran actor Aasif Sheikh revealed to us that Bhan suffered a brain haemorrhage.

As per Sheikh, Bhan went to the gym at 7 am and stopped to play cricket in his building’s compound in Mumbai “He bowled an over, got down to get the ball, got up, swayed for while and fell down. He never got up,” Sheikh shares. He was announced dead on arrival at the hospital. “There was blood coming out of his eyes, it’s a clear sign of brain haemorrhage, the doctor said,” Sheikh adds.

Talking about her bond with Bhan, showrunner Benaifer Kohli says, “He was sensitive. I was like a mother (to him). He was my favourite and was with us for the last 17 years. I still cannot believe he’s gone.”

Bhan is survived by his wife and an eighteen-month-old son.