Sidharth Shukla, A Top Model Who Became A TV Star: From Balika Vadhu To Bigg Boss 13

THE TIMES OF INDIA (September 3, 2021)

Mumbai: TV star Sidharth Shukla, known for his role in ‘Balika Vadhu’ and the winner of ‘Bigg Boss 13’, passed away at his Andheri home on Thursday. He was 40.

Shukla was brought to the casualty of R N Cooper Hospital at around 10.30 am. Dean Dr Shailesh Mohite said he was “brought dead” and the autopsy was completed in the evening.

Oshiwara police, probing the death, said they have not detected foul play. “It is a case of natural death, so no FIR or accidental death report has been registered. We are awaiting the post-mortem report,” an officer said.
--------------------
BOMBAY TIMES (September 3, 2021)

Sidharth Shukla’s sudden demise yesterday morning, after suffering a cardiac arrest, sent shockwaves through the industry. The 40-year-old actor was rushed to Mumbai’s Cooper Hospital, however, hospital authorities reportedly said he was dead when brought in. Sidharth is survived by his mother and two sisters. His friends and colleagues expressed shock and grief while grappling to come to terms with the news.

Sidharth began his career in showbiz as a model and was runner-up in the Gladrags Manhunt and Megamodel Contest in 2004 and also won the World’s Best Model contest held in Turkey in 2005. He made his acting debut with the show Babul Ka Aangann Chootey Na in 2008 and followed it up with serials like Jaane Pehchaane Se... Ye Ajnabbi and Love U Zindagi. However, it was his performance as Shiv in Balika Vadhu that made him immensely popular and a household name.

He then made his Bollywood debut with Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014), which saw him share screen space with Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt. He had a successful stint on the reality shows that he participated in. While he experimented with dance on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6, he went on to win season seven of Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi. Sidharth, known to be a private person, surprised many when he agreed to be a part of Bigg Boss 13.

Not only did Sidharth win Bigg Boss 13, but his popularity hit the roof with his fans calling themselves ‘Sidhearts’. They regularly shared posts about him that led to viral trends. Talking about his decision to be a part of the show, in an interview with Bombay Times in May this year, he had said, “I feel good about my decision because, I wasn’t keen on it. I remember that one day I was just sitting by myself and thinking, ‘What is it that scares you about entering the house?’ I asked myself, ‘Is there something that you are ashamed of? Is there a side to you that you don’t want the world to see?’ And my answers were ‘No’ to all these thoughts in my head. That’s when I told myself if you are so comfortable with yourself, then what’s the problem, just go out there, have a good time and come back. So, there I was.”

His equation and banter with Bigg Boss co-contestant Shehnaaz Gill became a talking point, with fans lovingly coining the name ‘Sidnaaz’ for them. While there were rumours about them being in a relationship, they never spoke about it.