Mystery of Asian star's death

Friends and colleagues of a young actress found dead in the Thames have paid tribute to a "hugely talented and lovely young woman".

Sarita Khajuria, who starred in Bend It Like Beckham and Bhaji On The Beach, disappeared after boarding a Eurostar train from Paris to Waterloo.

Police believe the 29-year-old may have jumped from the Albert Bridge in Chelsea, but her relatives dispute the suggestion she committed suicide.

Actress and writer Meera Syal, who wrote the screenplay for Bhaji On The Beach, described her death as "an appalling tragedy".

She said: "Sarita was a great actress but so bright, there were many other things she wanted to explore. She was the lead in a major film but maintained a great sense of modesty. It's such a waste of a hugely talented and lovely young woman."

The circumstances of Ms Khajuria's death remain a mystery. Westminster coroner's court recorded an open verdict.

Her boyfriend between 1998 and 2000, writer and broadcaster Imran Khan, said he was sure she would not have killed herself. "I was devastated. I couldn't tally what had happened with the Sarita I knew. Nobody was sure what had gone on," he said.

"She was incredible. By the time I knew her she'd been in a feature film and learned to fly with the RAF. She was so switched on, full of life, really vibrant, and she had loads of friends."

Ms Khajuria left a message on her sister's phone on the morning of 17 March after arriving at Waterloo.

She had arranged to be met at a station close to the family home in Barnet, but failed to show up. She sent an email to a friend the next day, but on 19 March, her body was found on the riverbank in Putney near Hurlingham Yacht Club, with her backpack, but not her passport or suitcase.

Her distraught mother Anneli fears she may have been pushed, although there was no evidence of violence. "Maybe she lost her balance or something happened on that train. My fear is someone took her off," she said.

The daughter of Indian architect Lalit and Finnish nurse Anneli, Ms Khajuria gained five A-grade A-levels at the North London Collegiate School. She played Hashia in the 1993 film Bhaji On The Beach, before going to university and gaining a masters degree in international journalism. She was also a presenter on Channel 4 children's news show First Edition.

In 1999 a horrific car crash left her in a coma for two months, and she had to relearn to read and write. But by 2001 she was back at work, and won a part in Bend It Like Beckham.

Last night a police spokeswoman would not comment until officers had spoken to the family and the full inquest report was published, but said: "We are concerned the family are unhappy over the investigation."