16 June,2026 11:32 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sanchita Ugale (Picture via Instagram)
Television actor Sanchita Ugale's death by suicide at the age of 22 has left the entertainment industry in shock. As investigations continue, her cousin brother Akash Satish Ugale has made a series of emotional claims, alleging that the young actor had been facing tremendous pressure and mental distress in the period leading up to her death.
Speaking to the media after her demise, Akash drew parallels between Sanchita's death and that of late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, whose death on June 14, 2020, had sparked widespread debate about pressures within the entertainment industry. Referring to the coincidence that both deaths occurred on June 14, six years apart, Akash said, "He committed suicide on 14th June 2020. Why? Because Bollywood, this industry, put a lot of pressure on him." He further alleged that Sanchita had been dealing with similar pressures. "Yesterday my sister also committed suicide for the same reason," he claimed.
Akash also pointed to Sanchita's final social media activity, which reportedly referenced Sushant Singh Rajput. According to him, she had shared a reel carrying the words, "It's again 14 June." Explaining why he found the post significant, he said, "This means that 14th June is happening again and yesterday itself she also committed suicide."
The grieving relative alleged that Sanchita had been under "immense stress" and claimed that certain individuals connected to the entertainment industry had been mentally troubling her. He urged investigators to examine all possible angles and determine whether professional pressures contributed to her state of mind. Akash also appealed directly to national and state leaders, saying, "Please take note of this incident," while seeking a detailed and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
He shared, "This industry can be very intimidating. It threatens people, just like it did with Sushant Singh Rajput. It consumed him and hollowed him out from within. Powerful people are often involved in all of this. Ultimately, it's a power game. People from middle-class families like ours, whether boys or girls, who try to rise and make a name for themselves, are often suppressed. I found out that some casting people were harassing her. She was being mentally harassed. That's why my sister was upset."
However, some of Sanchita's colleagues have disputed the theory that industry pressure alone led to the tragedy. Actor Megha Sharma, who knew Sanchita personally, stated that the actress had been struggling with depression for several months. Megha reportedly said that Sanchita had been "battling depression since January," suggesting that her mental health challenges may have been more complex than the allegations being made publicly.
Police have registered an Accidental Death Report and are continuing their investigation. Authorities have stated that the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established, and all aspects of the case remain under examination.
