‘He was the Michael Jackson of the group.’

{Photograph}: Type courtesy Prashant Tamang/Instagram

The sudden loss of life of Prashant Tamang at 43, a former cop from West Bengal, who received the nation’s coronary heart by profitable Indian Idol, Season 3 in 2007, has shocked his legion of followers.

Tamang carved a profitable profession as a singer-actor and performed a key character in Paatal Lok 2. Through the shoot in Nagaland and Darjeeling, Tamang drew extra crowds than lead actor Jaideep Ahlawat who performed Hathiram Chaudhary.

His final movie is the upcoming Salman Khan-starrer The Battle of Galwan.

Bendang Walling, who acted with Prashant in Paatal Lok 2 and was just lately seen in The Household Man 3, constructed an enduring friendship with Tamang past the units.

“Whereas we have been capturing in Nagaland, regardless that the lead was Hathiram, the individuals of Nagaland recognised solely Prashant. They have been taking footage with him,” Bendang Walling shares his reminiscences of the gifted performer with Rediff‘s Archana Masih.

 

The Darjeeling Boy who turned an Icon

Aside from being a pal, Prashant was like a brother to me. Final August, I went to Darjeeling on work and he insisted that I keep in his home.

Although he lived in Delhi together with his spouse and little daughter, he had taken me to his home in Darjeeling after we have been capturing on location for Paatal Lok 2.

I feel he constructed the house after he received Indian Idol. He constructed it for his mom. He was very near her.

Sadly, she died throughout Covid. It took him some time to recuperate from her loss.

[Prashant Tamang lost his father early in an accident and was appointed as a constable in his father’s place.]

Among the many images in the home are footage of Prashant’s journey to profitable Indian Idol.

He was not solely well-known in Darjeeling, however among the many complete Nepali/Gorkha group and diaspora.

He was just like the king of the Nepali group. They revered him quite a bit.

He was the Michael Jackson of the group.

In Darjeeling, wherever he went, everybody needed to speak to him or take footage as a result of aside from profitable Indian Idol, he acted in Nepali movies and travelled quite a bit for his performances.

Folks took delight in him and his achievements. He was their very own. That is the place his soul was.

Folks appreciated and beloved him, and took immense delight that he was from their hometown and state.

IMAGE: Bendang With Prashant in the course of the shoot of Paatal Lok 2, left, and Showrunner Sudip Sharma, centre. {Photograph}: Type courtesy Bendang Walling

How we hit it off on the units of Paatal Lok 2

There are some issues in life that occur naturally and organically. We clicked due to our personalities. I’m from Nagaland and it so occurred that his spouse is a Nepali from Nagaland.

He actually had nice love for the Naga individuals.

He was enjoyable loving and but humble. He didn’t boast or present angle.

There was a child-like innocence to him and that’s the reason he was rising in his craft as a result of like we are saying on the earth of artwork, till you turn out to be a toddler, you’ll by no means be taught.

We used to joke round on the units, more often than not pulling one another’s leg.

We first met in Kohima in the course of the performing workshop for Paatal Lok 2. After all, I knew Prashant from earlier than. Who did not know Prashant?

I simply went up and instructed him, ‘Prashant, it is so good to satisfy you. I watched you carry out in Indian Idol and by no means thought we’ll be assembly in individual’.

He responded in a pleasant means with a smattering of Nagamese — and that’s how our friendship started.

We have been companions in crime.

Our last shot was in Darjeeling. He was so joyful about it and invited us to his home. I bear in mind we cooked hen at his place.

He even took us to see the Nepal border.

IMAGE: Prashant with Jaideep Ahlawat in the course of the capturing of Paatal Lok 2 in Nagaland. {Photograph}: Type courtesy Prashant Tamang/Instagram

Do not waste time making enemies, bearing grudges

There are such a lot of reminiscences. Even after the shoot of Paatal Lok 2, we at all times saved in contact.

I final met him when his brother-in-law died in Nagaland they usually flew all the way down to Dimapur. My spouse and I met him.

We saved in contact over the cellphone.

After I appeared in The Household Man 3 and posted a reel from the units, he applauded me.

When he obtained a task in The Battle of Galwan, he known as me up and shared the information with me. I used to be so joyful for him.

IMAGE: Prashant with Bendang Walling in Kohima. {Photograph}: Type courtesy Bendang Walling

Whereas we have been capturing in Nagaland, regardless that the lead was Hathiram, the individuals of Nagaland recognised solely Prashant. They have been taking footage with him.

His sudden passing could be very unhappy and stunning.

Life could be very tragic, very unsure.

The most effective factor that I can take from Prashant’s life is that we must be good to everybody and check out our greatest to be pleased with everybody round.

Do not waste your time in making enemies or bearing grudges. That was how Prashant lived his life.

Bendang Walling is an alumnus of the Nationwide Faculty of Drama, New Delhi. The Dimapur-based actor-director featured as Inspector Isaac Longkumer in Paatal Lok 2 and Chuba in The Household Man 3.

Images curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff
Characteristic Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff