The wife of Bhojpuri singer-actor Pawan Singh allegedly committed suicide at her residence in Mumbai's suburban Andheri, police said on Sunday.

"Priyakumari alias Neelam Singh (21), who had tied the nuptial knot with Pawan in December last year, hanged herself from the ceiling fan using a dupatta at her flat in Evershine Complex in suburban Andheri in the small hours of Sunday," said senior inspector Ramesh Khadtare at Amboli police station.

"Priya was found hanging around 3am today (Sunday) by her sister, who was at Priya's home with her husband and son," the officer said.

"The reason behind Priya taking the extreme step is not clear yet. Her family says she did not manifest any signs of depression. After spotting Priya hanging, the other family members informed Pawan, who had gone out. Pawan rushed back home after getting the news," Khadtare said. The body was taken to the nearby civic hospital, where a post-mortem was conducted on the body, police said, adding, the family would be questioned in a day or two to ascertain the cause behind her suicide.

Pawan Singh, who has more than 20 Bhojpuri films to his credit, hails from Jokhari village in Bhojpur district, around 72km west of Patna.

He had married Priyakumari alias Neelam, the sister of his elder brother's wife, in December last year. A relative said Neelam and Pawan had a love affair, which led to their marriage on December 1, 2014.

Pawan's father-in-law, Sachchidanand Singh, alias Sunil Singh, a native of Kasap village in Bhojpur district, left for Mumbai with his relatives after receiving the shocking news on Sunday morning.

Sachchidanand Singh is a teacher in a government school. The marriage ceremony was attended by a galaxy of Bhojpuri actors and singers, including Manoj Tiwari.

Sachchidand's neighbour, Satyendra Singh, said the family received a phone call from Mumbai. The caller said Neelam has been admitted to a hospital in Mumbai.