In a stunning turn of events that has left viewers reeling, the BBC's flagship soap EastEnders has brought a notorious villain back from the grave. Nish Panesar, who met a dramatic end on New Year's Day 2025, made a shocking return during Wednesday's episode, sending his son Ravi Gulati into a spiral of terror.
A Villain's Dramatic Demise and Unexpected Return
Fans will vividly remember the fateful night of 1 January 2025, when the wicked Nish Panesar, played by actor Navin Chowdhry, was pushed from a balcony by his own son, Ravi. In his final moments, Nish attempted to take his ex-wife Suki with him by grabbing her saree as he fell. While Suki survived the horrific plunge, Nish was pronounced dead, seemingly closing a chapter on one of Walford's most feared criminals.
Yet, in a masterful plot twist aired on 7 January 2026, the character's sinister presence was felt once more. This resurrection was not a case of mistaken death, but a psychological haunting born from a calculated act of revenge.
The Revenge Plot That Unleashed a Ghost
The catalyst for this supernatural scare was a scheme orchestrated by Nicola Mitchell and her son, Harry Mitchell. Fuelled by fury over Ravi's role in Harry's false imprisonment and subsequent heroin addiction—and his apparent avoidance of any consequences—Nicola took matters into her own hands.
In Wednesday's episode, she spiked Ravi's drink at her bar. A disoriented Ravi was then bundled off to The Arches by Harry, who planned to torment him. The plan was interrupted by the arrival of Billy Mitchell, but left alone in the garage, Ravi began to experience intense hallucinations.
The climax of the scene saw Ravi screaming into the brick walls as he heard a chillingly familiar voice echo around him. From the shadows, the sinister tones of his deceased father, Nish, taunted him with the words: "There's no where to hide..."
Fan Theories and Reactions to the Shocking Comeback
The unexpected return of Navin Chowdhry's character sent EastEnders fans into a frenzy on social media. Many expressed delight at the creative twist, seeing it as poetic justice for Ravi.
One viewer wrote on X: "Nish is back to give Ravi a taste of his own medicine, all thanks to Nicola MERCI DIEU!!!" Another added: "That last scene pulled at my heart strings, and was actually a nice surprise to hear nish again."
However, the haunting has sparked serious concern about what comes next. A popular theory among fans suggests that Ravi's hallucination could have devastating consequences for the Panesar and Gulati family. Some speculate that a confused and terrified Ravi might attack someone, believing them to be the ghost of his father.
Given Nish's history, the potential victim pool is limited. One strong theory points to Suki's wife, Eve Unwin. Fans recall that just before his death, Ravi defied Nish's direct order to kill Eve. This act of defiance may now be festering in Ravi's subconscious, leading him to trace all his current misfortunes back to that moment of rebellion.
One fan articulated this on social media: "It wouldn't surprise me if subconsciously Ravi sees his refusal to kill Eve when ordered as the ultimate catalyst for his recent predicaments. If those thoughts are manifesting through his hallucination he might try to redress the balance."
While viewers are thrilled to see Ravi finally facing a form of karma, there is also anxiety that Nicola and Harry's dangerous revenge plan may ultimately backfire on them, creating yet more turmoil on Albert Square.
