Sidharth Shukla was too young and bright to be taken away so soon, says Rahul Vaidya

Shukla made his web debut this year with Broken But Beautiful 3

Forty is no age to go. The grief of losing someone so young is perhaps only compounded by their potential and aspirations, all lost in a heartbeat. A wave of disbelief and shock fell upon the television industry and fans on Thursday morning as news spread that actor Sidharth Shukla had passed away.

Sidharth Shukla

The actor, it was reported, had suffered a heart attack and was declared dead when taken to Cooper Hospital in Juhu.

In his 13-year television career that kickstarted with Baabul Ka Aangan Chootey Na (2008), Shukla had achieved what was considered unimaginable in the telly world. "Most TV actors are referred to by their on-screen personas. But the audience knew him by his name, and not by the character he portrayed on screen. He was a superstar whose fan following matched that of any big-screen star," says Ashish Shrivastav, who helmed Dil Se Dil Tak.

Shukla shone in Balika Vadhu

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Shrivastav says he valued Shukla's call-a-spade-a-spade attitude - a refreshing change from the pandering ways of the industry. That many misinterpreted his candour for arrogance is not lost on the director. "He believed in saying things to your face, not behind your back. I had heard a lot about his [difficult] style of working, but I did not find him arrogant. He was a cheerful person who loved to play pranks on the set. Acting came naturally to him," he says.

Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania

It was his acting talent that made viewers sit up and take notice of him in Balika Vadhu in 2012. The show sparked the steady rise of Shukla. Actor Roop Durgapal, who played his sister Sanchi in the show, remembers how Shukla's little gesture had revealed his caring side. "During an event in Vietnam, the locals offered us some sweets. Knowing that I loved sweets, Sidharth sneaked a few pieces in his pocket for me. When I told him that two were not enough, he ensured that I got a box full of them."

Bigg Boss 13

Also Read: 'No injuries on Sidharth Shukla's body, cops at his residence for investigation'

A host of projects followed, each cementing his position as a star in the galaxy of fame. Where he was part of reality shows such as Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and Khatron Ke Khiladi 7, he also dabbled in movies with Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014). His biggest claim to fame came in 2019, in Bigg Boss 13. It introduced the audience to the real person behind the actor. Shefali Bagga, who was his housemate, says that she initially considered him "a tough guy".

Broken But Beautiful 3

"But after exiting the house, I saw a few videos that showed how he supported me inside the house. When I returned as a wild card entrant, my opinion about him changed completely. He would check on me if I was sitting alone, and ensure that I didn't feel lonely in the big house." Singer Rahul Vaidya is lost for words at his untimely demise. The two had developed a bond over their love for fitness. "He was fit and would sometimes work out for four hours. I think about his mother and sisters whom I had met during my Bigg Boss stint. He was too young and bright to be taken away so soon."

Also Read: 'Gone too soon': Friends, colleagues express shock over Sidharth Shukla's demise