11/01/2026
NEWS | Singer and actor Prashant Tamang (43), winner of Indian Idol Season 3, passed away on Sunday, January 11, at his residence in New Delhi. Filmmaker Rajesh Ghatani confirmed the news, while singer Mahesh Sewa said Tamang reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest. He had been living in Delhi at the time of his death.
Born on January 4, 1983, in Darjeeling, West Bengal, Prashant Tamang rose to national fame after winning Indian Idol in 2007. A Nepali-speaking singer of Indian origin, his victory was widely seen as a landmark moment for representation from the hills of Darjeeling and the wider Gorkha and Nepali-speaking communities. His journey on the reality show drew unprecedented public support from West Bengal, Sikkim, and Nepal, turning him into a cultural icon almost overnight.
Before his music career began, Tamang served as a constable with the Kolkata Police, having joined the force following his father’s death. He sang with the police orchestra, and it was his colleagues and seniors who encouraged him to audition for Indian Idol. Despite having no formal training in music, Tamang went on to win the competition and was notably never placed in the bottom rounds during the gala stages.
After Indian Idol, Tamang released his debut album Dhanyavad, featuring Hindi and Nepali songs, and toured extensively across India and abroad. He later built a successful acting career in Nepali cinema, starring in films such as Gorkha Paltan, Angalo Yo Maya Ko, Kina Maya Ma, Nishani, and the blockbuster Pardeshi series, often contributing as a playback singer as well.
In recent years, Tamang reached a new pan-Indian audience through the web series Paatal Lok, where he played Daniel Acho, a sharp-shooting insurgent. The gritty role marked a significant shift from his singer image and was noted for its restrained intensity, highlighting his range as an actor.
