Rishabh Tandon Dies of Heart Attack, Sparking Cardiac Alarm

When Rishabh Tandon, a 35‑year‑old singer‑actor known on stage as Faqeer, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in Delhi on 21 October 2025, his death sent shockwaves through the Indian entertainment world.

His wife, Olesya Nedobegova, a 32‑year‑old Russian national, confirmed the tragedy in an early‑morning Instagram post on 22 October, noting that the family would cremate him at Nigambodh Ghat later that morning.

The incident unfolded just hours after the couple celebrated Karwa Chauth, a Hindu fast for a husband’s longevity, at their Vasant Kunj home. The timing—around 10:36 PM UTC—means the emergency services were racing against a ticking clock.

Background of Rishabh Tandon

Born on 17 June 1990 in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Rishabh Tandon earned a Bachelor of Music from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya in 2012 before moving to Delhi to pursue a dual career in acting and music. He formed the band “Faqeer Collective” in 2018 and quickly became a fixture at venues like The Piano Man Jazz Club in Gurgaon, where he headlined a concert on 18 October 2025.

Industry peers often described him as a “creative dynamo” who blended folk ragas with contemporary pop beats. Yet despite the grueling performance schedule, friends said he rarely complained about his health.

The Fatal Night: Timeline of Events

1. 07:22 PM IST – Tandon reported dizziness during a rehearsal at his Delhi studio.
2. 08:15 PM IST – While dining at Indian Accent inside The Lodhi Hotel, he collapsed.
3. 08:29 PM IST – Delhi Fire Service Unit 17 arrived and began CPR.
4. 08:53 PM IST – Ambulance (reg. DL8CAZ1247) rushed him to Max Super Speciality Hospital in Saket.
5. 10:36 PM UTC – Doctors announced cardiac arrest and confirmed death.

The post‑mortem at AIIMS on 22 October listed the cause as “acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery thrombosis,” with no toxicology findings.

Medical Findings and Expert Commentary

The hospital’s chief cardiologist, Dr. Jeremy London, of Medanta – The Medicity, explained that young‑adult heart attacks often hide behind “undetected genetic conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.” He cited the 2024 National Heart Attack Registry, which shows 37.6 % of sudden cardiac deaths under 40 involve such hidden disorders, and that 68 % of those victims displayed “zero prior symptoms.”

London warned, “Exertional chest pain radiating to the arms or jaw, sudden shortness of breath, and an inability to lie flat are red flags that most people dismiss as fatigue.” He added a short checklist that the public can use:

• Chest discomfort during exercise
• Unexplained dizziness or light‑headedness
• Shortness of breath that eases only when resting
• Fatigue that worsens despite adequate sleep

Earlier, on 5 October 2025, Tandon had visited Fortis Escorts Heart Institute in Okhla. An electrocardiogram was reported “normal,” though he had been feeling intermittent chest tightness since 18 September.

Trend of Premature Cardiac Deaths Among Indian Celebrities

Sadly, Tandon’s story is not isolated. Actor Siddharth Shukla (40) died in July 2021, Kannada star Chiranjeevi Sarja (35) in June 2020, and theatre artist Rakesh Poojary (38) in September 2023—all attributed to myocardial infarctions despite outwardly healthy lifestyles.

These cases have sparked a broader conversation about cardiovascular screening in the entertainment industry, where stressful schedules and irregular sleep patterns are the norm. A 2023 survey by the Indian Performing Rights Society found that 64 % of its members had never undergone a stress‑test.

Family, Funeral, and Public Reaction

Olesya Nedobegova announced the cremation would take place at 10:00 AM IST on 22 October at Nigambodh Ghat, with the procession departing their Vasant Kunj residence at 8:30 AM. Around 200 attendees gathered, including singer Shankar Mahadevan, actor Randeep Hooda, and composer Amit Trivedi, who served as pallbearers.

Social media exploded with tributes. Fans shared videos of his live performances, noting how his “voice could make a city pause.” The Indian Performing Rights Society later announced a memorial concert at Siri Fort Auditorium on 5 November, promising proceeds will fund free cardiac screenings for artists.

Preventive Measures and What Can Be Done

Public health experts say the key lies in early detection. The Indian Council of Medical Research recommends a baseline ECG for anyone over 30 who leads a high‑stress profession. They also advise regular lipid panels and, when family history suggests, genetic testing for cardiomyopathies.

For everyday readers, the takeaway is simple: don’t ignore chest tightness, especially after a demanding rehearsal or a long flight. A quick check‑up could be the difference between life and a headline.