‘She was sure she’ll make it’: Chhaava actor Sanchita Ugale dies, co-star says she ‘loved herself’

4 min readNew DelhiJun 15, 2026 04:50 PM IST

The news of actress Sanchita Ugale’s death by alleged suicide has left the entire entertainment industry in shock. The 22-year-old was found dead at her home in Nalasopara area, around 7 pm on Sunday while she was alone. Known for her roles in television shows Kumkum Bhagya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, the actor had shared her last social media post hours before her death. In a recent interview, Sanchita’s close friend and colleague Megha Sharma revealed that the late actress was undergoing treatment for depression.

During a chat with Money Control, she shared the possible cause of Sanchita’s death, while she was still in tears after hearing the news. “I am in deep shock and out of words. She had some health issues and was suffering from depression since January. She had some personal reasons and was undergoing treatment,” the actor shared.

DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know is experiencing feelings of distress, depression, or emotional instability, please reach out to a certified professional or a dedicated mental health service.

‘She loved herself’

Megha continued, “But she was a happy go lucky person. In fact, I met her 10 days ago and took her for an audition. She was convinced that she could make it. Later her phone was switched off. She often said that she will end her life and we all including her mother and family motivated her to stay positive and not think about such negative things. But this time we could not save her. She loved herself.”

ALSO READ | ‘Cursed’ TV show led by 3 women was scarred by tragedy

In her final Instagram post before her death, Sanchita Ugale can be seen singing along the famous song Dafli Wale in a video. Many fans and peers from the industry expressed their grief and shock in the comments section of the post. Pandya Store actress Simran Budharup commented, “Why Sanchita?” along with a crying emoji.

‘Have to manage my expenses in Mumbai’

Earlier, during an interview with The Times Of India, Sanchita expressed having a lot of respect for television. “I have a huge respect for TV, and this is a platform that is fair to all. It only demands talent and hard work; no shortcuts here. It has helped me learn acting and face the camera. While I will continue to do TV, doing films is my goal,” she said.

Story continues below this ad

However, being an outsider like herself, it was difficult for the late actor to bag a lead role in movies, despite featuring in Vicky Kaushal-starrer Chhaava and Manoj Bajpayee’s Silence 2. She added, “I acted in Vicky Kaushal starrer Chhaava, in which I enjoyed playing the role of Tarabai. I have also acted in Silence 2 and Crime Aaj Kal. But soon I realised that being an outsider, it would be difficult for me to have a lead role in films. I also have to manage my expenses in this city, like Mumbai. So as of now, I follow a basic rule of filtering good roles and taking up those.”

A police official told PTI, “A police team inspected the scene immediately after being alerted about the incident. We did not find anything suspicious at the spot, and no suicide note was recovered.” It was also stated that the actor’s father does not suspect any foul play or hold anyone responsible for her death. Her body has been sent to a government hospital for a postmortem and further investigation is going on.

DISCLAIMER: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute professional advice. If you or someone you know is experiencing feelings of distress, depression, or emotional instability, please reach out to a certified professional or a dedicated mental health service.

HELP IS A CALL AWAY

MENTAL HEALTH HELPLINE NUMBERS

AASRA

Contact: 9820466726

Email: [email protected]

Timings: 24×7

Languages: English, Hindi

Snehi

Contact: 9582208181

Email: [email protected]

Timings: 10am – 10pm, all days

Languages: English, Hindi, Marathi

Fortis MentalHealth

Contact: 8376804102

Timings: 24×7; All days

Languages: Achiku, Assamese, Bengali, Dogri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu

Connecting NGO

Contact: 9922004305, 9922001122

Email: [email protected]

Timings: 12pm – 8pm; All days

Languages: English, Hindi, Marathi

Vandrevala Foundation

Contact: 18602662345

Email: [email protected]

Timings: 24×7

Languages: Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and English

Navya Kharbanda is an Entertainment Journalist and Cinematic Commentator at The Indian Express, where she specializes in bridging the gap between classic Bollywood heritage and contemporary Gen-Z perspectives. Her work is characterized by a blend of nostalgia-driven analysis and on-the-ground reporting from major film festivals and industry events.

Experience & Professional Background

Navya is a prominent voice on The Indian Express entertainment desk, known for her ability to secure candid interviews with both legendary veterans and rising stars. Her career highlights include:

The Indian Express: Covers a wide range of topics from high-stakes box office analysis to in-depth celebrity profiles. She is a regular at major events like the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

SCREEN Interviews: Navya has conducted a series of "exclusive conversations" for SCREEN, featuring industry stalwarts like Anupam Kher, Vishal Bhardwaj, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and Suhasini Maniratnam.

Archival Reporting: She is noted for her sensitive handling of archival interviews and retrospectives, recently covering the legacy of late superstar Dharmendra and the career reflections of the late Satish Shah.

Expertise & Focus Areas

Navya’s beat is uniquely defined by her "Gen-Z Revisit" series, where she re-evaluates cult classics through a modern lens. Her core areas of expertise include:

Cinematic Retrospectives: Analyzing 80s and 90s landmarks like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, and Mohabbatein to explore how themes of romance and rebellion resonate with today’s youth.

Industry Insights: Tracking the career resurgences of actors (e.g., Akshaye Khanna) and the evolving dynamics of film production and distribution in the OTT era.

On-Set Dynamics: Reporting on behind-the-scenes stories from major productions, ranging from the technical challenges of Mirzapur: The Film to the work ethics of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan.

South Indian Cinema: Expanding her coverage to include the impact of regional icons and the rise of pan-Indian fantasy epics like Magadheera.

Authoritativeness & Trust

Navya Kharbanda has established her authority by consistently providing "Journalism of Courage" in the entertainment sphere. Whether she is interrogating the sexism in patriarchal classics or reporting on the fair-pay debates at international film festivals, her work prioritizes factual accuracy and critical objectivity. Her ability to synthesize deep industry history with modern audience trends makes her a trusted source for readers seeking both entertainment news and thoughtful cultural commentary. ... Read More

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.