Prashant Tamang, the beloved Indian singer and actor who rose to national fame as the winner of Indian Idol Season 3 in 2007, tragically passed away at the age of 43. He died on Sunday, January 11, 2026, from a sudden cardiac arrest at his residence in New Delhi. His wife, Geeta Thapa (also known as Martha Aley), confirmed that he died peacefully in his sleep, and police statements indicate that he was well the night before but did not wake up in the morning. Tamang was rushed to a hospital in Dwarka but was declared dead upon arrival. Born on January 4, 1983, in Darjeeling, West Bengal, Tamang was a former Kolkata Police constable before his breakthrough on Indian Idol. His victory in the singing reality show held immense significance for the Gorkha and Nepali-speaking communities, earning him the title "Pride of the Hills." Following his Indian Idol success, he launched a music career with albums like 'Dhanyavad' and ventured into acting, starring in several Nepali films such as 'Gorkha Paltan'. More recently, he gained praise for his role as Daniel Lecho in the second season of the popular Hindi web series 'Paatal Lok'. He was also set to appear posthumously in the upcoming Salman Khan-starrer film 'Battle of Galwan'. The Delhi Police conducted an investigation into his death, recording statements from family members who stated they did not suspect any foul play. The untimely demise of Prashant Tamang has sparked discussions around sudden cardiac arrest occurring during sleep, with medical experts highlighting potential underlying heart conditions and risk factors like sleep apnea. Tamang is survived by his wife and young daughter, Ariah. Condolences poured in from across the entertainment industry and political figures, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.