Actor playing Hanuman in Ramlila dies on stage as viewers clap

A man playing Lord Hanuman in a 'Ramlila' fell down at the feet of the person portraying Lord Ram for a bit longer, the audience clapped and it seemed a scene well enacted, except that it turned out to be the last performance of the 62-year-old.

Harish died on stage during the act in Haryana's Bhiwani district on Monday, his son Sumansh told PTI over the phone.

The 'Ramlila' in which he performed was part of several events organised across the state on Monday to mark the consecration ceremony at the newly constructed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

During his performance, Harish was supposed to bow at the feet of the man playing Lord Ram's character.

While enacting the scene, Harish fell down at the feet of the man playing Lord Ram.

As part of the act, a song was playing in the background and visuals showed Harish collapsing.

Everyone thought Harish, who had been playing the role of Hanuman for the past 25 years, was taking blessings of Lord Ram and the audience even clapped.

However, a few seconds later the people realised that Harish had collapsed and suffered a cardiac arrest.

He was rushed in his costume to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him as brought dead.

Sanjay Panwar, head of the New Basukinath Ramlila Committee committee, said the incident left everyone in deep shock.

"For a few seconds everyone thought Harish ji was seeking blessings as he did not rise, but soon we realised what had happened and tried to revive him at the spot itself. As he showed no response, he was immediately rushed to a hospital, but he had passed away," Panwar said, adding that the deceased was a retired Haryana government employee from the power utilities.