New Delhi, June 26, 2026: A shocking incident has shaken the Kannada film industry and the local business community after a 45-year-old Bengaluru-based businessman was found dead at the residence of well-known actress and former Bigg Boss Kannada contestant Krishi Thapanda.
The deceased, identified as Vaishak Upadhyay (also reported as Vaishakh), was found hanging late Wednesday night, June 24, 2026, inside a flat at the Elegant Terrace Apartments near Bangarappa Gudda in Rajarajeshwarinagar (RR Nagar), Bengaluru. Preliminary police investigations suggest the incident to be a case of suicide.
Who is Krishi Thapanda?
Krishi Thapanda is a prominent actor and model primarily working in the Kannada film industry, popularly known as Sandalwood. She made her acting debut in 2016 with the critically acclaimed film Akira, which earned her significant recognition. Over the years, she has starred in notable Kannada films such as Eradu Kanasu and Kannadakkaagi Ondannu Otti.
Beyond her film roles, Krishi gained widespread household fame after participating as a contestant in Season 5 of the reality television show Bigg Boss Kannada in 2016, hosted by superstar Kichcha Sudeep. Her most recent big-screen appearance was in the 2025 film Gana, alongside Prajwal Devaraj, Vedhika Kumar, and Yasha Shivakumar.
Details of the Incident
According to the Bengaluru Police, Vaishak was a close friend of Krishi Thapanda and had been a frequent visitor to her rented RR Nagar apartment. At the time of the incident, the actress was not present at the flat. She had been away from the residence for nearly a week, initially reported to be attending a specialized meditation and wellness programme at Kshemavana near Mahadevapura, as well as managing shooting schedules.
Superintendent and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) West Bengaluru, Yatish N, confirmed that Vaishak had access to the apartment, possessing one of its duplicate keys. On Wednesday night, Vaishak reportedly sent distressed messages and placed a final phone call to Krishi, expressing that he was “tired of life” and intended to end it.
The actress reportedly attempted to console him over the phone, urging him not to take any drastic steps, and even suggested they visit the Kukke Subrahmanya Temple together the following day to help ease his mind. Sensing the severity of his distress, Krishi immediately alerted his family members and rushed back to the apartment.
Upon reaching the flat around 11:00 PM, Krishi used her key to enter the premises and discovered Vaishak hanging in the bedroom. She immediately notified the police control room at approximately 11:30 PM. The RR Nagar police rushed to the scene and shifted the body to Victoria Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Law enforcement officials confirmed that no suicide note or video message was recovered from the spot.
Legal Troubles and Background
The investigation has brought to light a complex backdrop of personal and legal turmoil surrounding Vaishak in the months leading up to his death. Vaishak, a resident of Girinagar who owned a car garage and an automobile shop, was married for 15 years and leaves behind his wife, Meghana, and a 14-year-old son.
According to police sources, Vaishak was facing severe financial challenges, isolation, and intense mental distress following his arrest earlier this year in a high-profile extortion and criminal intimidation case.
In February, Vaishak was arrested by the HAL Police after an anonymous threat letter was sent via courier to a prominent businessman and film producer, Aravind Venkatesh Reddy. The letter demanded an extortion sum of ₹6 to ₹7 crore along with an apology, warning of severe consequences if the demands were not met. The unsigned letter reportedly referenced an ongoing personal and legal dispute between Aravind Reddy and actress Krishi Thapanda.
During that investigation, the police traced the courier back to Vaishak, who had allegedly utilized a garage worker to dispatch the letter from a different location to mislead investigators. Following his arrest, Vaishak was sent to judicial custody and was later released on bail. The aftermath of the criminal case reportedly triggered severe marital discord, causing Vaishak to occasionally stay away from his family home and live at Krishi’s apartment with her knowledge.
Current Status of the Investigation
Following the incident, Vaishak’s father and his wife filed formal statements with the local authorities. The RR Nagar police have registered a case under the Unnatural Death Report (UDR) framework.
A senior police officer stated that the family has not alleged anyone’s direct involvement or foul play regarding the death. Investigators have recorded Krishi Thapanda’s official statement and have secured the mobile phone records containing the final messages and calls exchanged between her and Vaishak shortly before his passing.
The police are continuing their probe into the exact circumstances, financial strain, and personal pressures that prompted the businessman to take the extreme step. Krishi Thapanda has not yet issued a formal public statement to the media regarding the tragedy.