Paul Bhattacharjee has died under mysterious circumstances. The 53-year-old Casino Royale and EastEnders actor left a rehearsal at the Royal Court Theatre in London on Wednesday, July 10.
He was never seen alive again.
On this past Wednesday, London police officials acknowledged that a body found at the foot of Splash Point cliffs in Seaford, East Sussex, has been identified as the remains of Paul Bhattacharjee .
The body had actually been found two days after Bhattacharjee disappeared, leaving behind only a 9 PM July 10 final text to his girlfriend. But it wasn’t identified immediately by authorities.
According to a report on Paul Bhattacharjee’s death in UK tabloid The Mirror , the police didn’t consider the British-Indian actor’s death suspicious. Multiple other media sources and the Official London Theatre website confirmed that statement.
Bhattacharjee’s entire career is detailed in an extended obituary in The Guardian. In addition to an enviable stage career, he played the doctor in 2006 film Casino Royale — and became best-known to many British fans for his appearances in popular BBC One soap opera EastEnders.
He also appeared in an all-Asian version of the Shakespeare classic Much Ado About Nothing .
ITV posted a time about Paul Bhattarcharjee’s disappearance , the discovery of the body, and the announcement of his death.
The media has held back from speculation about how he died.
Actor Paul Bhattacharjee has been missing since last Wed. If you have any info call Missing Persons on 116000
— OfficialLondonTheatr (@O_L_T) July 16, 2013
So sad to report death of Paul Bhattacharjee. Touching tributes from Featherstone and Doran. http://t.co/rXwhKgIZuz #theatrenews
— OfficialLondonTheatr (@O_L_T) July 18, 2013
His 24-year-old son had sent out a plea in the Evening Standard:
“Dad, wherever you are please, please get in contact. We want to know that you are okay…Please, we are just worried sick.
“It’s completely out of character. He was doing well in his career and everything seemed to be going okay. I just don’t know what has happened.”
RIP Paul Bhattacharjee. One of the pioneers who paved the way for British Asian actors in UK. Sleep well sir…rest…rest. #Respect
— James Floyd (@iJamesFloyd) July 17, 2013
Very sad to hear the news about Paul Bhattacharjee. My thoughts are with his loved ones.
— parmindernagra (@parmindernagra) July 17, 2013
Truly saddened by the news that the world has lost such fine actor and human being. RIP #PaulBhattacharjee – I’m so sorry @thenitinsawhney
— gabriella incalza (@gabryhella) July 17, 2013
There has been an outpouring of grief in London’s theater world at the news of Paul Bhattacharjee’s death.
[Paul Bhattacharjee photo credit: englishpen via photopin cc ]