Aarthi Agarwal, Bollywood actress, dies aged 31 of a heart attack

The actress was particularly popular in the 'Tollywood' Telugu language film industry, but also starred in Tamil and Hindi films

Aarthi Agarwal, a 31 year old Bollywood actress who was born and raised in New Jersey, died of a heart attack on Friday night, 5 June 2015. (Facebook/Aarthi Agarwal)

Aarthi Agarwal, 31, a Bollywood actress who was born and raised in New Jersey, died of a heart attack on Friday night, 5 June 2015.

Ms Agarwal was suffering from chronic asthma and was rushed to a hospital in Atlantic City, New Jersey, at 1.30 am on Friday after she complained of breathing problem. She died before reaching the hospital.

The actress was particularly popular in the 'Tollywood' Telugu language film industry, but also starred in Tamil and Hindi films.

She became famous with her performance in 2001's Nuvvu Naaku Nachav. Her latest film, Ranam 2, was released the day before she died.

Ms Agarwal's father Shashank confirmed in a TV interview with i News that the actress's body would not be taken to India and would remain in the US.

"Aarthi was battling obesity and pulmonary illness," said Uma Shankar, Ms Agarwal's manager.

"She was undergoing treatment and due to some complications, she suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away."

Her death is thought to have come roughly a month after the actress received liposuction surgery in the United States.

A post-mortem examination will take place to determine the precise cause of death.