Pavitra Punia is not feeling well. She says she has not been able to come to terms with the sudden death of her good friend and co-star Sidharth Shukla. The actor was proud of his achievements and knew how ambitious he was.

She adds that he loved superbikes and cars and would often bring his superbike on set to “show off”. Punia says, “In the next two years, he would have reached greater heights.”

The actor says her heart goes out to his family and friend Shehnaaz Gill. Talking about Gill, Punia says, “Aaj main jab Shehnaaz ko dekhti hoon, toh rooh kaanp jaati hai. People dream of having a pure bond like they had. I wouldn’t say it was dosti or boyfriend-girlfriend. Yeh rishta pati-patni se kam nahin tha. Their fans are crazy about them. I hope she manages, stays strong.”

Recalling her rapport with him, she shares, “We had a Tom and Jerry like bond! I worked with him in Love U Zindagi in 2011, my first show as a lead. I didn’t know the ways of the industry, yet, I had an attitude. I was called a youth icon and a reality star due to Splitsvilla. Sidharth was reserved, composed. He was my senior, but we had issues. I’d think hoga hero apne ghar ka. The show lasted for six months. But we bonded when we went to Macau for an awards show. That’s where we broke the ice. He was such a gentleman. Later, when we met on Bigg Boss, he asked me, ‘Dus saal pehle wali Pavtira kahan hai?’. He wanted the rowdy Pavitra. Had he not helped me realise the original Pavitra, I wouldn’t have lasted for a week.”