Mumbai, Jan 20 (NationPress)
Singer and performer Parleen Gill, who gained recognition through Indian Idol Season 3, had a profound friendship with singer Prashant Tamang. Tragically, Prashant passed away on January 11 due to a suspected cardiac arrest.

Reflecting on their final encounter on November 20, 2025, Parleen expressed that they never anticipated it would be their last time together.

He shared, "Prashant had recently landed a role in a Salman Khan film, Battle of Galwan, and I was among the first to know. He was meant to stay at my place during filming, but opted for accommodation closer to the studio. After the shoot, he called us, announcing his departure for Delhi the next day and that he wanted to meet that evening."

"I was at the gym during his call. I urged him to extend his stay for a celebration, but he insisted on returning home to his daughter, who had been alone for too long. He said, 'Come meet me tonight,'" Parleen recalled.

"I hurried home and asked my wife, Blondelle, if she wished to finally meet my closest friend, and she was ready in no time. We arrived at the venue by 7 PM, and he arrived an hour later. Only a few of us made it on time. Little did we know it would be the last time we’d gather, drink, and laugh together, celebrating his significant career milestone. We were all incredibly proud of him," he added.

Parleen continues to grieve his loss, stating he is profoundly affected by Prashant's passing.

Discussing their two-decade friendship, he mentioned, "The beauty of our relationship was that we were always genuine. From the moment we met during the Indian Idol auditions, we clicked instantly. We joked with each other as if we were lifelong friends. It felt as though we had known each other forever."

He continued, "As singers, the connection was even deeper. We supported each other, collaborated on countless songs, and every performance felt like a new experience."

Parleen recalled a standout moment when they performed a duet for the first time on Indian Idol. "The contestants were paired randomly with songs, and it was a celebration, not a voting round. We performed Chain Khuli Ki Main Khuli, and I even choreographed it. It was deemed the best performance of that round," he recounted.

"That was also the first time we engaged with the audience, making us feel like true rockstars. That moment was unforgettable," he added.

Over time, their friendship blossomed, with Parleen describing it as magical. "Every day was filled with fun, chaos, and unforgettable experiences. Sony BMG (now Sony MUSIC) signed Prashant as the winner, while I, along with three other singers, was signed as part of an exclusive band."

"We recorded our debut albums together, traveled, partied, played PlayStation, and shared meals—those were genuinely the best days of our lives," he reminisced.

Parleen also made the journey to Prashant's hometown, Darjeeling, for his last rites. He revealed that it was his wife's encouragement that gave him the strength to go. "I was heartbroken and overwhelmed. She took charge, booking tickets, arranging transportation, and packing my bags. Before heading to the airport, I kept saying, 'I can’t bear to see him like this.' She held me together, reminding me, 'He would want his brother there.' Her strength became my own," Parleen concluded.

For those unfamiliar, Prashant Tamang was the champion of Indian Idol Season 3. He passed away on January 11, reportedly due to cardiac arrest.

–IANS