Worked as a junior character artist at Head Hoppers Studio, joined four months ago.
Aditya was known among friends and colleagues as someone who would always show up when needed. The depth of his friendships was evident on the night of the fire.
Even before his family arrived, several of his friends had rushed to the spot and remained with his mother and sister at the mortuary late into the night.
“We are from his previous organisation, where he worked before joining Hoppers. He was extremely helpful, energetic and liked by everyone. Though he had recently switched jobs, he remained in touch with all of us,” said one of his friends.
Aditya’s father is a lawyer. His elder sister is married, his younger sister is pursuing a BSc degree and his younger brother is in Class 6.
His uncle, Prashant Srivastava, said Aditya was someone the entire family relied on: “If you needed help, he would be there, even at 2 am. We all depended on him.”
2. Jainil Chakraborty, 27
From Kotma, Madhya Pradesh
Worked at Head Hoppers Studio as a 3D character artist since 2023
Jainil Chakraborty, 27, worked at Head Hoppers Studio as a 3D character artist since 2023. (Special Arrangement)
His father, Jayant Chakraborty, said Jainil used to live in Lucknow with his aunt. He studied at a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Madhya Pradesh and then went to MAAC, Pune, to study graphic design. They were handed over his body Tuesday and left Lucknow via train.
“We tried calling Jainil’s number but couldn’t reach him,” said Jayant. “It’s not easy to bring your son’s body home.”
3. Neelesh Kumar, 28
From Lucknow, UP
Artist at Head Hoppers Studio, joined around three years ago
Neelesh Kumar worked as an Artist t Head Hoppers Studio, joined around three years ago. He was engaged to Anamika, who died along with him in the fire (Special Arrangement)
He was engaged to Anamika. “We knew about the fire, but we did not take it seriously because there was no indication that Neelesh’s workplace was in the same building,” said his brother Abhishek. “In the evening, we received a call from the mortuary, informing us about his death.”
4. Anamika Samanta, 27
From Kolkata, West Bengal
Artist at Head Hoppers Studio, joined around three years ago
She and Neelesh were engaged. Anamika’s younger brother, 24-year-old Akash, recalled the family’s recent trip to Lucknow to meet Neelesh’s family. “My sister had told our parents about Neelesh some time ago.
Anamika Samantan was an artist at Head Hoppers Studio and had been working for, joined around three years ago. (Anamika Instagram)
I had known about their relationship for around six months. I went to Lucknow with my parents, and we visited Neelesh’s home,” he told The Indian Express over the phone from Kolkata.
5. Abdul Rehman, 24
From Lucknow, UP
Worked in the firm’s art production and game development unit for three years
Abdul was the sole breadwinner of his family after his father, Afzal Ali, was left paralysed a few years ago.
Abdul Rehman was the sole breadwinner of his family after his father, Afzal Ali, was left paralysed a few years ago. (Special Arrangement)
“We called him multiple times but he didn’t answer. We rushed to Aliganj and found the building housing his office engulfed in flames. We then went to the medical college (KGMU)…,” his friend, Salman Siddiqui, said. “It was there that we learned he had died.”
6. Mohmmad Shajahan, 19
From: Barabanki, UP
Joined Head Hoppers Studio about a year ago,
Originally from Barabanki, Shahjahan and his family relocated to Lucknow and settled in Jankipuram a few years ago. His father, Mohammad Imran, used to work in Dubai as a driver.
“He called his family after the fire broke out, pleading for help. Shahjahan told his father that he and several others had taken shelter inside a bathroom to escape the flames and thick smoke,” said his cousin, Shakeel Siddiqui.
7. Bhavisya, 20
From Sonipat, Haryana
Joined the firm only a few weeks ago
“Bhavisya called his father in panic after the fire broke… the call suddenly got disconnected, and after that his phone was unreachable,” said his relative, Anuradha.
“At his father’s request, I went to the site to check what had happened and informed him about the fire. By then, he had already left for Lucknow and reached the city later that night,” she added.
8. Sukhmani Singh (23)
From Lucknow, UP
Worked as a game designer at the company; joined in 2022
Sukhmani Singh was 23 year old game designer who worked in the company. (Special Arrangement)
His father, Prabhjot Singh, had told The Indian Express on Monday that his son called him around 2 pm, pleading for help. “‘Papa mujhe bacha lo (Papa, please save me)’, he cried. He told us there was no space to get out.”
His brother, Saheban, said Sukhmani had trained at the same institute in 2019 and had later joined the company as a designer. He said that his brother had been working there for the past few years.
9. Suraj Singh, 27
From Kanpur, UP
Worked as a character artist at the studio for 3.5 years.
The eldest among three children, Suraj was the breadwinner of his family after his father, a manager at a petrol pump in Kanpur, died three years ago.
His mother and younger brother were on a trip to Rishikesh, when the incident took place. Till late evening, the family could not be contacted.
The eldest among three children, Suraj Singh was the breadwinner of his family after his father, a manager at a petrol pump in Kanpur, died three years ago. (Special Arrangement)
It was only around 9.30 pm on Monday, when officials managed to contact his uncle’s son, that they got the news. His mother rushed to Lucknow, only to perform her son’s last rites.
“He was the hope of the family… He was also funding the education of his younger siblings,” said his cousin.
10. Sanyam Vij, 28
From Kanpur, UP
Sanyam worked as a 3D artist at the firm he joined with his close friend, and victim, Suraj. Sanyam’s father died around 15 years ago while Surajbhan’s father has also passed away and the two were considered key support systems for their families, relatives said. Sanyam had been living in Lucknow for the past three years and regularly travelled to Kanpur on weekends. He was expected to return home on Tuesday for his grandmother’s post-death rituals. Sanyam’s last rites were performed Tuesday.
(With PTI input)
Family members mourn the death of Sanyam Vijj, a victim of the Lucknow fire, in Kanpur. (PTI) 
Aditya Srivastava was known among friends and colleagues as someone who would always show up when needed. (Special Arrangement)
Jainil Chakraborty, 27, worked at Head Hoppers Studio as a 3D character artist since 2023. (Special Arrangement)
Neelesh Kumar worked as an Artist t Head Hoppers Studio, joined around three years ago. He was engaged to Anamika, who died along with him in the fire (Special Arrangement)
Anamika Samantan was an artist at Head Hoppers Studio and had been working for, joined around three years ago. (Anamika Instagram)
Abdul Rehman was the sole breadwinner of his family after his father, Afzal Ali, was left paralysed a few years ago. (Special Arrangement)
Sukhmani Singh was 23 year old game designer who worked in the company. (Special Arrangement)
The eldest among three children, Suraj Singh was the breadwinner of his family after his father, a manager at a petrol pump in Kanpur, died three years ago. (Special Arrangement)
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