Last year, on this day, the nation loved one of its favourite silver screen stars –
Sidharth Shukla.
To mark the TV star’s first death anniversary, his family members visited the Brahma Kumaris. Brahma Kumaris, a spiritual movement that originated in Hyderabad, focuses on personal transformation through meditation.
On the eve of the actor’s first death anniversary, the ‘Balika Vadhu’ star’s mother Rita Shukla, his sisters and a few other members of the extended family got together for a prayer meet. Later, his family members distributed bhog and prasad.
It was his family’s way of honouring the late actor, who was an ardent follower of the Brahma Kumaris. He would often attend meditation and prayer sessions with his mother.
After his death, the 40-year-old’s rumoured-girlfriend Shehnaaz Gill also joined the organisation. This year on January 27, the actress-singer celebrated her birthday with Brahma Kumaris.
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The pictures of the family at the prayer meet on Thursday started doing the rounds on the Internet.
Earlier, after his ‘Bigg Boss 13’ win, Shukla had opened up about his mother’s struggles to take care of and raise her children after his father, the sole breadwinner of the family, passed away. He always said his mother was one woman who meant everything to him.
In a candid interaction with ‘Humans of Bombay’, the late actor was quoted as saying, “People know me as a man with a rough exterior. But I’ll always melt for my mom. Right from the time I was born, she’s been the most important person in my life. I was the youngest of 3 kids and too small to play with my sisters, so I was always around mom. Back when I was a toddler, I’d cry if I had to go a second without her–so even while making rotis, she’d hold me in one hand & the roller in another!”
Talking about the financial struggles, Shukla had said his mother was a strong force of nature who never showed signs of vulnerability and stood by the family like a ‘rock’. “Despite our poor finances, she ran the house, looked after 3 kids and fulfilled all our demands! I know now that she must’ve had to sacrifice so much to give us what we wanted,” he added at the time.
On Janmashtami last month, Shukla’s mother joined several members for yet another Brahma Kumari event.
Shukla passes away on September 2, 2021, after suffering cardiac arrest. He made his silver screen debut in 2008 with ‘Babul Ka Aangann Chootey Na’. He was also seen in shows like ‘Jaane Pehchaane Se Ye Ajnabbi’ and ‘Love You Zindagi’. Later, he also made a big screen appearance in the 2014 film ‘Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’, alongside Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan.
Shukla became a household name after he won ‘Khatron Ke Khiladi 7’ in 2015 and ‘Bigg Boss 13’.
TV Star, ‘Bigg Boss’ Winner & Instagram Influencer: The Many Shades Of Sidharth Shukla
Gone Too Soon
TV and film actor Sidharth Shukla, who gained major recognition for his role in TV show ‘Balika Vadhu’, passed away on Thursday. He was 40. The actor was rushed to the Cooper Hospital in Juhu on Thursday morning after having a heart attack where he was declared dead on arrival. The ‘Big Boss 13’ winner is survived by his mother and two sisters.
Making Of A Star
Shukla, who became a household name and a huge TV personality, started his career as a model. He made his acting debut with a lead role in the TV series called ‘Babul Ka Aangann Chootey Na’ in 2008. That was just the beginning for the actor who later appeared in several TV shows such as ‘Jaane Pehchaane Se…. Ye Ajnabbi’, ‘Love U Zindagi’, ‘Sasural Simar Ka’ and also the very famous show ‘Balika Vadhu’, which gave Shukla’s career a major push.
From Small To Big Screen
After making a name for himself on the small screen with several hit shows, Shukla got his first film in Bollywood in 2014. The actor made his debut on the silver screen with film-maker Karan Johar’s ‘Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania’ where Shukla had a supporting role opposite Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt. Shukla won the ‘Breakthrough Supporting Performance’ award in 2015 for his role in the film.
Reel Meets Reality
For Shukla, there was no limit when it came to winning the hearts of audiences. In 2013, the actor appeared in the sixth season of dance reality show ‘Jhalak Dikhhla Ja’ which was judged by Madhuri Dixit, Karan Johar and Remo D’Souza. While the actor didn’t win the show, he surely won his fans all over again. In 2014, Shukla appeared in his second reality show, this time as a host for ‘Savdhaan India’.
Shukla then bid adieu to ‘Balika Vadhu’ in 2015 and hosted ‘India’s Got Talent 6 before entering stunt reality how ‘Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 7’ in 2016 where he emerged as the winner. Later, Shukla returned as the host for ‘India’s Got Talent 7’. In 2019, the actor entered ‘Bigg Boss’ house for season 13 and came out as the winner of the show.
T For Trouble, T For Tantrum
Just like several achievements and fame, the late actor also fell into a lot of trouble. In the past, the actor has been arrested for rash driving, which resulted in an accident as he hit three vehicles.
In 2014, the actor was caught drunk driving and had to pay penalty for the offence. There were also reports of Shukla being unprofessional on sets and rude to his co-stars, often making impolite remarks during shootings. Some of the actors who worked with him, have even alleged that the actor had a tantrum and would often touch his female actresses inappropriately.