Today marks a year since Indian actor and model Sidharth Shukla tragically passed away from a heart attack at 40.
Shukla was a well-loved public figure, gaining immense popularity after being crowned the champion of Big Boss 13 in 2020. Therefore, his legacy lives on, not just through his dedicated fans but also his close friend and fellow Big Boss 13 contestant, Shehnaaz Gill.
The actor's chemistry with Gill was one of the season's highlights, with fans calling them 'SidNaaz' to commemorate their strong bond. Even after the show, the pair appeared together in many music videos and as guests in reality shows like Dance Deewane 3 and Bigg Boss OTT.
As Hindustan Times speaks to Shukla's fans, known as 'SidHearts', on the anniversary of his untimely death, it is without a doubt that they will always cherish Shukla and Gill's friendship.
One of his fans, twenty-four-year-old Nikita Sharma from Toronto, feels it is Gill who keeps the late actor's legacy alive. "For us, we see Sidharth in Shehnaaz. I believe he is watching all of us," she states.
"He was an integral part of our lives, treated his SidHearts like family members, motivated and guided us. I wish we could go back in time and relive the wonderful moments he spent with us. His absence has left a void, which can never be filled," says Dr Nupur Kharangate, a dentist from Goa, who met the actor in December 2020.
Shukla's fandom is not limited by borders, as the star also has a large following to his name in Pakistan. Kumayl Abbas Rizvi, from Islamabad, mentions, "In the past year, millions of his fans, including me, have realised that celebrating him, talking about him, telling people about him, implementing his ideas in our lives will never end. He is infinite, a never-ending source of guidance and love. His impact across the border was such that whenever something bad happened in our country, he always asked us about our safety. He never differentiated between his Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi fans. He always considered them his fans, his SidHearts, his Siddians."
Shukla began his career in the industry as a model and made his acting debut with a lead role in the television show Babul Ka Aangann Chootey Na. He later appeared on shows such as Jaane Pehchaane Se... Ye Ajnabbi and Love U Zindagi, but became a household name with the long-running soap opera Balika Vadhu.
He also participated in other reality shows, including Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6 and Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 7. In 2014, Shukla made his Bollywood debut with a supporting role in the Karan Johar-produced Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania.
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