The Kannada television industry is in mourning following the tragic death of actor Nandini CM. The 26-year-old was found dead in her paying guest accommodation in Kengeri, Bengaluru, in a suspected case of suicide. Police confirmed the incident on Monday.
Discovery and Police Investigation
The Kengeri Police have registered an Unnatural Death Report (UDR No. 76/2025) under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Act, 2023. According to officials, Nandini's body was discovered hanging inside her locked PG room. The incident came to light around 9:15 am on December 29 after friends and PG staff grew concerned when she failed to respond to repeated phone calls.
Investigations revealed that on the evening of December 28, Nandini had visited a friend's house and returned to her PG around 11:23 pm. When calls to her phone went unanswered later, the friend alerted the PG manager. Staff members subsequently forced open the door and found her hanging by a veil cloth from the window grille. Emergency personnel declared her dead at the scene.
Career Aspirations and Personal Struggles
During the preliminary investigation, police recovered a diary entry that shed light on Nandini's state of mind. In the entry, she expressed a strong desire to continue her acting career and her reluctance to take up a government job offered on compassionate grounds following her father's death in 2023.
Nandini had moved to Bengaluru in 2019 to pursue acting in Kannada television serials. She completed her pre-university education in Ballari and initially enrolled in an engineering course at RR Institute in Hesaraghatta. However, she discontinued her studies to follow her passion, undergoing professional acting training in Rajarajeshwari Nagar. She had moved to the Kengeri PG accommodation in August 2025.
Family members told police that she often felt misunderstood and faced pressure regarding her career choices. They have not expressed any suspicion of foul play at this stage.
Industry Shock and Ongoing Probe
The news of Nandini's untimely death has sent shockwaves through the Kannada entertainment industry. Fans and colleagues have flooded social media with tributes, remembering her as a committed artist with bright aspirations. Formal reactions from industry peers are awaited.
The investigation, under the supervision of PSI Hanumantha Hadimani, is ongoing. Police officials stated that all aspects of the case will be thoroughly examined before a final conclusion is reached. The community now grapples with the loss of a young talent, highlighting the often unseen pressures in the world of entertainment.
