TV actor Arjun Bijlani’s father-in-law passes away at 73

Actor Arjun Bijlani and his family began the New Year on a sombre note after the sudden passing of his father-in-law, Rakesh Chandra Swami. The tragic news came while Arjun and his wife, Neha Bijlani, were on their New Year vacation in Dubai, prompting the couple to rush back to Mumbai. According to a family member, Rakesh Chandra Swami had been on a ventilator since Monday evening following a medical emergency. Despite medical intervention, he could not survive and passed away on Thursday morning. He was 73 and is survived by his son Nishank and daughter Neha.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, the family member shared details of the incident, saying, “He was fit and fine and was getting ready for dinner when he suddenly suffered a stroke. He was immediately rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he was put on a ventilator. The entire family is in shock, especially since Neha and Arjun had met the family shortly before flying out. It was completely unexpected, and we are still trying to come to terms with the loss.”

 

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Arjun and Neha returned to Mumbai on Tuesday soon after receiving the devastating news, cutting short their vacation to be with the family during this difficult time.

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Those close to the family revealed that Arjun shared a particularly close bond with his father-in-law, especially after losing his own father at a young age. Rakesh Chandra Swami was said to have been a strong emotional support system for the actor, making the loss deeply personal and painful for him.

Videos from the funeral have since surfaced online, showing Neha visibly heartbroken and inconsolable as she bid her final farewell to her father. The visuals have drawn an outpouring of condolences and messages of support from fans and members of the television industry, who have been expressing solidarity with the Bijlani family during their time of grief.