Bengaluru: In a deeply distressing incident, 26-year-old Kannada television actor Nandini CM was found dead by suicide at her paying guest (PG) accommodation in Kengeri, Bengaluru, police confirmed on Monday.

Kengeri Police have registered an Unnatural Death Report (UDR No. 76/2025) under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS) Act, 2023, and stated that no foul play is suspected at this stage.

According to police records, the incident is believed to have occurred between 11.16 pm on December 28 and 12.30 am on December 29, 2025. The matter was reported to the police around 9.15 am on December 29.

Found Hanging Inside Locked PG Room

The incident took place on the second floor of a PG building in Kengeri. Police said Nandini had visited her friend Puneeth’s house on the evening of December 28 and returned to the PG at around 11.23 pm, after which she locked herself inside the room.

When repeated phone calls from Puneeth went unanswered, he alerted the PG manager, Kumar, and the in-charge Kiran at around 11.50 pm. Upon forcing open the door, they found Nandini hanging from the window grille using a veil cloth.

Emergency services were immediately alerted. Kengeri Police rushed to the spot and confirmed that she had died on the spot.

Police, Family Rule Out Suspicion

At around 3.45 am, police informed Nandini’s family about her death. Her relatives reached Bengaluru by 8 am and gathered details about the incident.

Based on preliminary findings, diary entries recovered from the room and statements from the family, police said there are no allegations against anyone in connection with her death.

Dreams, Family Pressure, and Depression

In her personal diary and a death note recovered from the spot, Nandini reportedly spoke about battling depression and personal struggles. She expressed her unwillingness to take up a government job or get married, stating clearly that she wanted to continue her acting career, while her family wanted her to “settle down.”

Police sources said Nandini had been offered a government job on compassionate grounds in 2023, following her father’s death, but she declined the offer, leading to disagreements at home.

From Engineering Student to Television Actor

Originally from Ballari, Nandini completed her PUC in 2018 and later enrolled in an engineering course at RR Institute, Hesaraghatta. However, driven by her passion for acting, she discontinued regular college attendance and underwent acting training in Rajarajeshwari Nagar.

Since 2019, she had appeared in multiple Kannada television serials, including ‘Jeeva Hoovagide’, ‘Sangharsha’, ‘Madhumagalu’, and ‘Neenade Naa’. She had been living in PG accommodations across Bengaluru and shifted to the Kengeri PG in August 2025.

Recent Role Sparks Online Discussion

At the time of her death, Nandini was playing the lead dual role of Kanaka and Durga in the Tamil serial ‘Gauri’. The show recently featured a scene where her character consumes poison, triggering widespread discussion on social media following the tragic news.

Her last Instagram post was a promo from ‘Gauri’, while her recent uploads showed cheerful photos captioned simply, “Love love.”

Investigation Ongoing

Police said statements of family members and close associates are being recorded. The investigation is being led by PSI Hanumantha Hadimani of Kengeri Police Station. “Further details will be shared once the investigation progresses,” a senior police officer said.

 

(DISCLAIMER: Suicide is not a solution: If you are having suicidal thoughts, or you are worried about a friend, or you need emotional support, then there is someone who is always there to listen to you. Call the Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences helpline at 9152987821 (available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm)