Photo: @realsidharthshukla/Instagram
Cover Photo: @realsidharthshukla/Instagram

As Bollywood mourns the loss of the 40-year-old actor this week, we revisit the popular shows that launched him to fame

The passing of Indian reality TV star, host, model and actor Sidharth Shukla on September 2 shocked fans and co-stars, resulting in a torrent of tributes on social media to honour the late star's life.

The award-winning Mumbai-born actor started out his career as a model, representing India at the 2005 Best Model Of the World contest in Turkey, and becoming the first Indian to win it. Shukla made his television debut in 2008 in the popular show, Babul Ka Aangann Chootey Na alongside co-stars Aastha Chaudhary and Rahil Azam.     

Yesterday, Sony Entertainment Television India released a 'Tribute to Sidharth Shukla' playlist on its YouTube channel, featuring episodes 1 to 29 of the show, as well as full episodes of two other television shows the actor starred in, crime drama CID and the horror show Aahat.  

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Shukla later played Shivraj Alok Shekhar in the ColoursTV 2012 drama Balika Vadhu, for which he won several awards. He then made an appearance in Season 6 of the Indian dance reality show, Jhalak Dikhhla (touted as India's version of the popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing). In 2014, Shukla made his Bollywood debut with a supporting role in the movie, Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania.     

Above Video: Dharma Productions/YouTube

Shukla's fame only grew after he won the 13th season of Indian reality show Big Boss, where he first met and befriended Punjabi actress Shehnaaz Gill. Gill and Shukla also appeared together in the music video for Darshan Raval's Bhula Dunga and in a candy-coloured music video for singer Tony Kakkar’s new song, Shona Shona. Kakkar posted on Instagram regarding Shukla's passing: "Truly heartbreaking. Rest In Peace bhai". 

After winning the Fear Factor-inspired reality TV show Khataron ke Khiladi, Shukla soon began hosting shows like India's Got Talent and Savdhaan India

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Above The music video 'Shona Shona'

Recently, Shukla starred as Agastya in Season 3 of the intense web drama Broken But Beautiful, available on the ALTBalaji streaming platform. In April 2020, the show's producer Ekta Kapoor made an announcement about the new season, asking followers to recommend actors for the lead role. It was then that Shukla's name was passionately suggested by fans. In the show, Shukla starred alongside Indian-American actress Sonia Rathee.

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Many of the late actor's co-stars as well as several Indian celebrities like Akshay Kumar, Kiara Advani and others posted their tributes to him on social media. Model and Big Boss co-star Asim Riaz wrote on Twitter: "I'm gonna meet you in heaven brother," while the show's host Salman Khan, posted: "Gone too soon, Sidharth. You shall be missed." 

Indian actor, film producer and director Ajay Devgn also wrote: "Life & death are both baffling. But when someone as young as #SidharthShukla passes away with suddenness, one is very sad... Condolences to his family. RIP Sidharth."

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