India: 16-year-old TikTok star Siya Kakkar dies by suicide, leaving social media users shocked
Siya Kakkar had 1.1 million TikTok fans and her dance videos were quite popular
Indian TikTok star Siya Kakkar committed suicide, according to Indian media reports. Coming a few weeks after Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death by suicide, news about Kakkar has left Indians shocked, with many taking to Twitter to discuss mental health among youngsters.
With over 1.1 million fans on the video sharing app, the Delhi girl was quite a popular face on TikTok. She was very active on her social media channels, and would regularly post dance videos on her accounts. Her manager Arjun Sarin reportedly said she seemed fine till last evening. In fact, she had posted a dance video on Wednesday evening too.
However, according to India Today, the police have been unable to unlock the device and will take the help of family members to get into it and explore her call records and other details. Police will also question Kakkar’s friends regarding the incident. A post-mortem has already been done, police say.
“Siya died by suicide at her residence in New Delhi at around 9pm on June 25. She lived with her family. Her family is in shock and has requested privacy. No suicide note has been recovered,” the Deputy Commissioner of Police told India Today Television.
Reports say that Kakkar had been staying home due to the current COVID-19 lockdown in India and had been feeling depressed for a couple of days prior to her death.
- Jennifer Barretto, News Editor
Tweep @CharuPragya posted: “16-year-old TikTok star #SiyaKakkar commits suicide. She had 1.1 million fans on TikTok and 91,200 followers on Instagram. What could go so terribly wrong in her promising young life that she ended it? Let’s work to make youngsters strong mentally and emotionally!”
According to Indiatoday.in: “The news of her death was confirmed by her manager Arjun Sarin, who managed all her work and endorsements. He said, ‘this must be due to something personal... work wise she was doing well. I had a word with her last night for a new project and she sounded normal. Me and my company manage lots of artists, and Siya was a bright talent. I am heading to her home in Preet Vihar.’"
Bollywood photographer Viral Bhayani wrote in an Instagram post: "Sad news 16-year-old sweet tik-toker @siya_kakkar died by suicide. Before publishing this I spoke to her Talent management agency head Arjun Sarin who just spoke to her last night for a song collaboration and he says she was in a good mood and perfectly alright. Even he has no clue what went wrong that she had to go this way. You go through her videos and you can she was so good in her content, it's really sad that she chose this path. If you are feeling depressed please don’t do this..."
Twitter user @RapperSrv posted: “#SiyaKakkar TikTok star who is just 16, and known for her dance video dies by suicide in Delhi. Why is it that so many young people who are budding stars are ending their life so quickly. #SuicidePrevention #SiyaKakkar #stressed”
Many tweeps urged youngsters to not consider suicide as a solution to any problem, and to come out and talk about the issue, and discuss with family or those close to them.
Facebook user Rakhi Chandra posted: “Starting with Sushant, the last few weeks have seen so many young people resorting to suicide. Please understand there is help out there if you seek. It is really disheartening to see young, smart people taking their lives. We really need to take their mental health seriously.”
The reason for Siya Kakkar's death is still unknown. However, according to reports, her family has requested for a detailed police investigation into her death.