Sidharth Shukla's death leaves stars in shock; Akshay Kumar is 'sad', Farah Khan says 'can this year get any worse'

Actor Sidharth Shukla died of a heart attack on Thursday morning. His sudden death has sent waves of grief among his colleagues.

Bigg Boss 13 winner, actor Sidharth Shukla, died of heart attack on Thursday, an official at the Cooper Hospital in Mumbai said. He was 40.

Sidharth Shukla died on Thursday.

Sidharth featured in multiple television soaps and reality shows. The most famous among them were Balika Vadhu and Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.

Akshay Kumar wrote, "Really sad to know about the passing away of #SiddharthShukla. I didn’t know him personally but it’s heartbreaking to know of such a talented life gone so soon. Om Shanti."

Madhuri Dixit wrote, "It's just unbelievable and shocking. You will always be remembered @sidharth_shukla. May your soul rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to the family." Farah Khan wrote, "Can this year get any worse??! Shocked and extremely saddened to hear about @sidharth_shukla s demise. My heart goes out to his family."

Sidharth's colleagues and friends from the film and television industries have expressed shock at his death. Manoj Bajpayee wrote in a tweet, "OMG!!! This is So Shocking!!! Words will fail to describe the shock and sense of loss of his near and dear ones !!! May he rest in peace !!! No yaar !!!!"

Raveena Tandon wrote, "Omg! Can’t believe this news! Still hoping it’s not true! So successful and hardworking, too young to go." Tisca Chopra wrote, "Numb... Siddharth, neighbour and occasional walking buddy .. #SiddharthShukla RIP... hope aunty and friends have the strength to bear your immense loss."

Nimrat Kaur tweeted, "Heartfelt condolences to the loved ones of late Sidharth Shukla. Terribly shocking and distressing news." Ronit Roy wrote, "WHAT!!!!!! Good god! NOOOOOOO!" Kushal Tandon tweeted, "What is this true? Shuklaaaa???????"

Kapil Sharma wrote, "Oh god, it’s really shocking n heartbreaking, my condolences to the family n prayers for the departed soul. Om Shanti."

Sidharth is survived by his mother and two sisters. "He was brought dead to the hospital some time ago," the senior Cooper Hospital official told PTI.

Sidharth began his career 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, Love U Zindagi but became a household name with Balika Vadhu. He also participated in reality shows, including Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 6, Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 7 and Bigg Boss 13.

In 2014, Shukla made his Bollywood debut with the Karan Johar-produced Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania where he had a supporting role. His last public appearance was last week on an episode of Dance Deewane with rumoured girlfriend Shehnaaz Gill.