It's quite shocking: Anupamaa actor Vaquar Shaikh on Rituraj Singh’s demise

The TV industry woke up to the news of actor Rituraj Singh’s death due to cardiac arrest. He was 59, and was part of numerous TV shows, films and web series in his three-decade-long career. He was last seen in Rajan and Deepa Shahi’s “Anupamaa”. 

Actor Vaquar Shaikh, who is currently playing his on-screen brother in the popular show and also shared the screen space with him in “Banegi Apni Baat” (BAB), said that he was shaken by the news of his demise. 

“I don't know what to say. I'm actually quite speechless to speak about him. It's quite shocking. I'm actually saddened, I'm nervous, and I'm at a loss for words. Actually, I was shooting today for the 7am shift, and I started getting calls from 8:30 onwards. I got some messages, but I couldn't see them since I was in a shot, then I got a call and I just couldn’t believe it,” he said.

He revealed that the late actor was called Ritz by his friends, and talked about working with him in BAB. He said, “He was, of course, doing the show right from the beginning. I joined after three years. I have beautiful memories because I remember going on the set and meeting this actor who was a huge star then because of his telefilms that had already been released, and we used to really look up to him. And, when BAB started, every one in the show used to be a huge star.”

“He was very courteous, sweet, generous, and very nice to people like me who had just joined the show. He was very helpful and instantly would make you feel at ease. Now that I'm talking about him, I so distinctly remember his smile, which used to brighten up and be full of energy and vigour and forever helpful and very knowledgeable. He knew about everything under the sun at that point in time,” he added. 

Vaquar regrets not being able to shoot even a single scene with Rituraj, even though he was playing his younger brother in “Anupamaa”. “It’s quite ironic that I entered ‘Anupamaa’ playing his younger brother, but I didn't shoot with him, not even for a single day, which is very strange. There are lots of calls and messages coming to me today, and I really don't know what to say,” he said. 

“I wish I had at least one scene with him because that would have been really nice. I would have worked with him after nearly more than two decades, I would have worked with him. But I should have had at least one scene with him,” Vaquar added. 

He also spoke about the tragic loss of the 19-year-old “Dangal” girl Suhani Bhatnagar, who passed away a few days back, emphasising how saddening it is to lose precious lives, and added, “She was very young and that was absolutely no age to go.”

He further said, “Even Ritz for that matter, was only 59. He was doing a lot of good work, and it was, and it's always been a treat to watch him. I want to give my condolences to the family and may his family have all the strength to cope with the loss and may he rest in peace and find a beautiful place up above in the heavens.”