Sweet, loving and bubbly - that's how small screen celebrities would like to remember the 'Baa' of "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi", actress Sudha Shivpuri, who passed away on Wednesday morning after a prolonged illness.
The actress passed away on Wednesday morning at a hospital in Andheri East here.
A pall of gloom engulfed the world of Indian small screen as the news of her demise poured in. While her co-stars like Ronit Roy and Ketki Dave reminisced about the time spent with her, stars like Tusshar Kapoor and Divya Dutta ?expressed their condolences.
Ronit, who worked with Sudha during his stint as Mihir on the long-running Star Plus show "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi", told IANS: "I'll always remember her as being a sweet Baa. I feel sad at her demise and my condolences for the family at the same time. I feel happy that the soul is now free from sorrow. My prayers for her soul and her family.
Ketki, who essayed Sudha's daughter-in-law in the Ekta Kapoor production, remembered Sudha for her kind attitude.
"A very good soul. We were her reel family but loved her like real family. She will always be missed by us. Love you Sudhaji," Ketki told IANS.
Actor Hiten Tejwani, who became a part of "Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi" as one of the lead, was troubled by the news.
"She was recovering and we got the shocking news about her death when we got up this morning. Family members are saying that she did not face any problems as she was sleeping when she passed away. She'll always live in our memories," Hiten told IANS.
Hiten also added that Sudha made him comfortable on the sets of the show.
"It was a lovely chance to have worked with her. She made me more comfortable and she was like a kid on the sets... naughty, bubbly and very lively. We all used to have so much fun together. May her soul rest in peace," Hiten said.
Social media platform Twitter was also abuzz with condolence messages for the actress, who worked across the theatre, film and TV mediums, after having made her film debut with "Swami" in 1977.
Praising the "awesome qualities" of the late actress, Narayani Shastri told IANS: "She was a lovely lady, very soft-spoken and kind to new actors. She had a fantastic sense of humour and she was very strong."
Ekta's close friend and writer Mushtaq Shiekh shared information about Sudha's last rites.
He said: "Mrs. Sudha Shivpuri (wife of Om Shivpuri) also popularly known as Baa in Kyun Ki passed away this morning. May her soul rest in peace. #RIP Sudha Shivpuri popularly known as Baa from KyunKi passed away this morning. Funeral at Oshiwara Crematorium 2.30 pm today".
A theatre enthusiast, Sudha married actor Om Shivpuri, who passed away in 1990. Sudha is survived by two children - son Vineet and daughter Ritu, who too is an actress.
The 'Babuji' of the entertainment industry Alok Nath thanked the veteran for being a great teacher.
"Rest in eternal peace Sudha Shivpuri maam.You and Om Shivpuri sir were teacher's & guides of great proportion. am blessed to be your student," Alok tweeted.
Actors like Tusshar Kapoor and Divya Dutta also expressed condolences with a 'RIP' message.
