Veteran actor Anupam Shyam passed away on Sunday due to multiple organ failure. He was 63. The actor, who was a part of the TV show Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya 2, needed dialysis thrice a week. But he was glad to be working. Producer Rajan Shahi said, “I remember when we started with Pratigya season 2, he was extremely happy to work again and play his favourite character Sajjan Singh. He was always so lively and full of enthusiasm and will be remembered for his remarkable performances. I’m deeply saddened by his demise.”

Anupam Shyam, who hailed from Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh, started his career in 1993. He has been a part of Bollywood movies like Dastak, Dil Se…, Lagaan, Golmaal and Munna Michael.

Talking about the demise of Anupam Shyam, Masaan actor Sanjay Mishra says it’s like he has lost a family member. “He was like an elder brother to me, who always stood by me. Woh mere dukh aur sukh dono mein shamil rahte thay. When my father was ill, he reached before me and was present at the time of his death. Similarly, during my wedding, he was always around. No important occasion of my life was complete without him. He was an inspiration for all of us, especially his lehja and sense of humour. I always looked up to him for his comic timing. The only regret I have is I could not talk to him before his death though he had messaged me two days ago,” Sanjay shares.

On TV, apart from Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya, Anupam Shyam has also done shows like Rishtey, Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, Doli Armaano Ki, Krishna Chali London and Hum Ne Li Hai Shapath. His co-actor from Agle Janam... Ratan Rajput recounts, “After pack-up, I used to sit and talk to him. He was fun-loving, but we had some interesting and deep conversations, too. He always shared his good experiences as well as the bad ones for me to learn from. Once he said, ‘Aap actor bankar parde par kya karte ho, usse jyada asal zindagi mein aap kya karte ho, voh jyada maaine rakhta hai.’ Those were some wise words that he shared, which I will never forget.”

Ratan adds, “We stayed in touch even after the show ended.”