By 2005, the combination of a failing career, weight-related criticism, and rumors of a failed relationship with a co-star became overwhelming. Multiple reports indicated that she had attempted to take her own life. The following year, she was hospitalized with serious head injuries following an accident at her home.
This relationship with the press was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it kept her "entertainment content" brand alive even during career lulls. On the other hand, the relentless scrutiny of her appearance contributed to the pressures that eventually led to her untimely demise. In retrospect, popular media treated Aarthi Agarwal as a commodity whose value was tied to physical perfection. This narrative has since sparked countless think-pieces and YouTube documentaries on the toxic culture of 2000s cinema, further cementing her legacy as a cautionary tale in film history.
Tragically, Aarthi Agarwal passed away on June 3, 2015, at the age of 35, due to a heart attack. Her untimely death shocked the film industry and her fans, who still cherish her memories.