Indian Idol 3 winner and Paatal Lok actor Prashant Tamang passes away at 43

Singer and actor Prashant Tamang, who rose to national fame after winning Indian Idol Season 3, passed away on Sunday at his residence in New Delhi. He was 43. 

According to reports, Tamang suffered a stroke and was later declared dead at a hospital in Dwarka. 

News of his sudden demise has sent shockwaves through the music and film fraternity, as well as the Gorkha and Nepali-speaking communities across India and abroad.

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From Uniform to the Spotlight

Born on January 4, 1983, in Darjeeling, West Bengal, Tamang faced hardship early in life, losing his father at a young age. To support his family, he joined the Kolkata Police as a constable. 

Even while serving in uniform, music remained central to his life. He performed with the police orchestra, quietly nurturing a passion that would soon transform his destiny.

That transformation came in 2007, when Tamang auditioned for Indian Idol Season 3. His journey and eventual victory became a defining cultural moment, uniting people across the Darjeeling hills, Terai, Dooars, Sikkim, the Northeast, and the global Gorkha diaspora. His win brought Nepali music into the national spotlight and inspired countless young singers to dream big.

Music, Films, and a Growing Legacy

Following his Indian Idol triumph, Tamang released his debut album Dhanyavaad and performed extensively in India and overseas. He successfully established himself as both a playback singer and a live performer.

Tamang later transitioned into acting, making his film debut with the Nepali hit Gorkha Paltan in 2010. He went on to appear in several Nepali films, including Angalo Yo Maya Ko, Kina Maya Ma, Nishani, Pardesi, and Kina Mayama.

In recent years, he expanded into Indian projects, earning praise for his role in Paatal Lok Season 2 and appearing in Salman Khan’s Battle of Galwan.

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Tributes Pour In

BJP MP Raju Bista called Tamang’s death an “irreplaceable loss,” noting that his Indian Idol victory was a moment of immense pride for Gorkhas nationwide. 

Filmmaker Rajesh Ghatani and fellow artists remembered him as a trailblazer who gave others the courage to step onto national platforms. Prashant Tamang is survived by his wife and daughter.