Salman Khan's film delayed after Prashant Tamang's death at 43
Prashant Tamang, singer-actor and Indian Idol 3 winner, has died at 43 of cardiac arrest, causing a delay in the release of Salman Khan's film Maatrubhumi.
Tamang played the main villain and had shot several key scenes, but a few important sequences remained to be filmed.
The film was originally slated for release in April 2026 (reports cited April 17), but plans are now on hold.
More on the delay and Tamang's legacy
The team is deciding whether to recast or use AI/VFX to finish Tamang's role; using AI/VFX to superimpose his face would require consent from his family. Reshoots are tricky since Khan has a packed schedule, so they're hoping to figure things out by the end of March and aim for an Independence Day release instead.
Fans remember Tamang not just for his Indian Idol win (with about 70 million votes), but also as a Kolkata Police officer and actor in Paatal Lok 2.
He leaves behind his wife Geeta Thapa and their young daughter Ariah; tributes have poured in from across the industry.