RIP Sudha Shivpuri: TV actors share memories

Veteran actor Sudha Shivpuri passed away in her sleep on Wednesday (May 20) morning, at a suburban hospital. The 77-year-old, reportedly, suffered a brain stroke in 2013, and hadn’t been keeping well since then.

Veteran actor Sudha Shivpuri passed away in her sleep on Wednesday (May 20) morning, at a suburban hospital. The 77-year-old, reportedly, suffered a brain stroke in 2013, and hadn’t been keeping well since then.

Although Shivpuri starred in several memorable films and TV shows in her career of over three decades, she will forever remain etched in the memory of audiences as the affable Baa, a role she played for eight years (2000-2008) in Ekta Kapoor’s hit soap, Kyunki... Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi... (KSBKBT).

She got married to actor Om Shivpuri in 1968. Before moving to Mumbai, she worked in theatre in Delhi. She starred in movies like Swami (1977), Hamari Bahu Alka (1982), Sawan Ko Aane Do (1979) and Maya Memsaab (1993), among others.

Later, she was seen doing TV shows such as Missing, Rishtey, Sarhadein, Bandhan and Rajni.

Hiten Tejwani, actor: She was the eldest on the sets, but was very childlike. We all called her ‘Baa’. She was warm, friendly and lively. I worked with her for four years. She was very caring and lovable.

Hussain Kuwajerwala, actor: Be it her professionalism or her personal behaviour, there was a lot to learn from her. I remember everyone used to call her ‘Baa’, and one hardly heard anyone call her by her name.

Ronit Roy, actor: I feel sad about her demise. I offer my condolences to her family. At the same time, I feel happy that her soul is now free from sorrow. I will always remember her as the sweet Baa.

Ekta Kapoor, producer: I am shocked. She was the wife of my father’s friend, Om Shivpuri; that is how we came to know each other. She was Baa for all of us.

Achint Kaur, actor: We used to share one make-up room. I loved her food and we often swapped our tiffin boxes. She was a simple person at heart.

Apara Mehta, actor: We had the longest association on KSBKBT. She was professional, and a humble human being. She had a great sense of humour too. She was a fine actor. I hadn’t met her in a while, but was in touch with her over the phone.

Sudha-Shivpuri