Actress Ananya Raj dies at 27 after year-long health battle

Bollywood and regional film actress Ananya Raj has died at the age of 27. Her family confirmed her passing in a statement shared on her Instagram account on August 16, 2026, revealing she died peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of July 15, 2026.

According to the family's announcement, Raj had been battling "physical and mental discomfort" for over a year before her death. They described her as a "strong-spirited girl" who "fought like a warrior" to overcome her challenges. The news was made public more than a month after her death, with the family stating they wished to maintain privacy during their time of grief.

Born in Mumbai, Raj began her film career in 2016 with the Hindi movie "7 Hours to Go." She went on to appear in several other Bollywood productions, including the 2017 film "The Final Exit" and Vikram Bhatt's 2019 horror thriller "Ghost." Her work extended beyond Hindi cinema; she also featured in the Telugu film "Thaggede Le" and the trilingual project "Madrasi Gang." Additionally, Raj appeared in music videos for major labels such as T-Series, Zee Music, and Times Music.

The family's statement, which was widely shared and prompted an outpouring of condolences...