21 June,2026 07:58 AM IST | Mumbai | Tanisha Banerjee
TV actress Sanchita Ugale died by suicide on June 14. Pic/Instagram@Sacnhita_ugale
On June 14, television actor Sanchita Ugale died by suicide at her Mumbai home. Just days earlier, she had shared a Reel on Instagram, lip-syncing to the song Radha with her trademark energy and smile. The news of her death sent shockwaves through the television industry, leaving colleagues, friends, and family struggling to come to terms with the loss. In the aftermath, much of the conversation has centred on speculation about the circumstances surrounding her death, with media crews crowding outside her grieving family's home. Yet amid the noise, it is important to remember who Sanchita was. She was a talented actor with immense potential, and a beloved daughter, sister, and friend whose warmth and vibrant spirit touched countless lives.
Inside the Ugale household in Nalasopara East, grief hangs heavy in the air. Every corner of the home appears to carry a memory of Sanchita, and every conversation eventually circles back to her.
Her mother, Jayshree Ugale, had only been discharged from hospital on Tuesday after going into shock following her daughter's death. Sitting quietly in the family's modest home, she looked frail and exhausted. Her eyes were glassy, her voice barely above a whisper. Even speaking about Sanchita seemed to require tremendous effort.
"I can't even tell you about her because there is so much to tell," she says softly, "And I am too weak to think about it." Yet when she begins to speak, a picture emerged of a young woman whose presence filled every room she entered. "She was never shy. She was quite chulbul [lively]," Jayshree recalls, a faint smile appearing momentarily, "She was really nice. She was such a good actor too. She had no dearth of acting roles in the industry. In fact, she went on a shoot on Saturday as well."
For her mother, Sanchita was not merely an actor known to television audiences. She was the daughter whose laughter echoed through the house, whose dreams had transformed the trajectory of the family's life. That journey began far from Mumbai.
Originally from Dongargaon village in Maharashtra's Akola district, the family moved to the city four years ago to support Sanchita's acting ambitions. According to her uncle, Yogesh Khatal, everything she achieved was earned through determination. "She did everything through her own hard work," he says, "She learnt acting on her own and got her roles devoid of any help. Her first gig was when she was 17 years old." The family had no connections in the entertainment industry, he explains. There were no influential contacts opening doors for her, no relatives guiding her through auditions. Whatever success she found was the result of persistence and self-belief. "We don't have any connections to the industry either," he says, "She did all of this independently."
When asked what kind of person she was away from the camera, his answer came without hesitation. "She was innocent. She would joke around a lot."
He fell silent after saying those words, seemingly lost in memories. The pause itself spoke volumes.
Sanchita's father, Machindra Ugale, carried his grief differently. A former farmer who later moved to the city in search of work, he had helped build a life alongside his daughter. Together, they were the family's primary earners. Unlike other family members, he spoke little. Much of his frustration was directed at rumours and unverified reports that began circulating after Sanchita's death. "There is too much to talk about her," he says, "But I don't know where to start."
The statement captured what many grieving families experience after a sudden loss. How does one reduce an entire life to a few sentences? Where does one begin when every memory feels important?
Outside the family, neighbours remember a similarly warm and approachable young woman. A woman living next door recalls that while they were not particularly close, Sanchita always made time for small conversations. "I didn't talk a lot with Sanchita, but she was always friendly," she says, "She'd always stop if she saw me and ask me how I was doing. She would greet everybody."
Their exchanges were often brief, lasting only a few minutes at the doorway, but they left an impression. "Hasmukh thi [She has a smiling nature]," the neighbour says, "She would laugh a lot and talk to everybody." As she spoke, her expression reflected a sadness shared by many in the building. The loss of someone so young had shaken residents, even those who knew her only casually.
"Nobody had any idea," she murmurs, "It's scary to think about it now. Our building is a nice place with lovely people. But who knows what is going through someone's mind behind the door? She didn't tell anyone anything." A talkative person at heart, memories of Sanchita's chatter now fill the empty walls around her home.
In the days since her death, countless questions have been asked about Sanchita Ugale. But for those who loved her, all they have left of her now are memories of a daughter who dreamed fearlessly, a young woman who built her career through sheer determination, and a person remembered for her laughter, kindness, and the ability to make people feel seen.
TV actor Sanchita Ugale died by suicide on June 14 in her Nalasopara home. The incident occurred between 7.00 and 7.30 pm. Police say the actor had locked the bedroom door from inside before the incident. After she was found, family members rushed her to the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation Hospital, where doctors declared her dead after examination. Police say no suicide note was recovered from the spot. She was 22
years old.
Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Helplines (India)
If someone is in immediate danger of self-harm, call emergency services (112) or seek urgent medical assistance.
24x7 Suicide Prevention & Mental Health Support:
Tele-MANAS (Government of India): 14416 or 1-800-891-4416 (Free, 24x7 mental health counselling and support).
AASRA: +91 98204 66726 (24x7 suicide prevention helpline).
Sneha Foundation: +91 44 2464 0050 (Emotional support and suicide prevention services).
iCALL (Tata Institute of Social Sciences)
(Monday to Saturday 10am to 8 pm Helpline: +91 91529 87821)
Email and counselling support available during operating hours.
A police official at Achole Police Station in Nalasopara, associated with Sanchita Ugale's case, says that the actor had been suffering from depression for six months prior to her death. She was seeing a doctor for the same. However, officials have not yet identified a specific trigger that may have contributed to her deteriorating mental health. Screenshots shared online by one of Ugale's friends alleged that a co-star had harassed her over money. Police have not found additional evidence of harassment yet.
