The actor-director had been on holiday with his wife and children in the resort of Mathura when the accident occurred on Saturday.
Upon hearing the news, Priyanka Chopra posted on her Twitter account: "My friend, future director, super funny wannabe beach bum and unbelievable human being Manish Acharya. I’m too shocked to say more."
Shabana Azmi, who featured in his first film Loins of Punjab Presents, said: "I can't believe Manish is gone. It's been so sudden."
Acharya's debut release about a New Jersey singing competition Desi Idol received acclaim at a wide number of film festivals.
The 40-year-old is reported to have been working on the script of a new Bollywood film at the time of his death.
