Yearender 2021: Sidharth Shukla, Ghanshyam Nayak and other TV celebrities who passed away this year

Ghanshyam Nayak

2021 saw the Indian television industry lose many gems, that came as a shock to fans. From the hugely popular Nattu kaka of Tarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashmah aka Ghanshyam Nayak to the heartthrob of the small screen Sidharth Shukla and the National award-winning Surekha Sikri. Here are the actors who surely will be missed.

Sidharth Shukla- Winner of Bigg Boss 13 and Khatron Ke Khiladi 7, Sidharth died from a suspected heart attack in September. He was 40. He had won the World's Best Model title in December 2005 beating 40 other participants from across Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Shukla first broke out into TV stardom with his work in the show Balika Vadhu (2012), where he essayed the role of Shivraj Shekhar, a District Collector. He made his Hindi film debut with Shashank Khaitan's Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania in 2014 with Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan as co-stars. The actor had also featured in the web series Broken but Beautiful.

Surekha Sikri- National Award-winning actor Surekha Sikri died of cardiac arrest at the age of 75 in July. She had gained popularity as Dadi Sa in Colors TV Serial Balika Vadhu. The actress had won the National Award for Best Supporting Actress thrice, for her roles in Tamas Mammo and Badhaai Ho.

Madhavi Gogate- Anupamaa actress Madhavi Gogate passed away due to Covid-19 related complications in November. She was 58. The actress had also featured in shows like Koi Apna Sa, Kahin Toh Hoga, Aisa Kabhi Socha Na Tha and more. She had recently made her Marathi TV debut with Tuza Maza Jamtay.

Satish Kaul- Satish Kaul, who had 300 Punjabi and Hindi films to his credit and became a household name after playing the role of Lord Indra in the TV show Mahabharat, died of Covid-19. Kaul had spoken about his financial issues and following which the Punjab government had given him Rs 5 lakh aid. He had also been living in old age homes in Ludhiana.

Manisha Yadav- Manisha Yadav, known for her role as Saleema Begum in the show Jodhaa Akbar, passed away in October. She suffered from a brain haemorrhage.

Arvind Trivedi- Arvind Trivedi, who played the role of Ravan in the '90s show Ramayan passed away due to cardiac arrest in October. He was 82. Arvind Trivedi also made a mark with his role in Vikram Aur Betaal. Apart from television series, he also acted in close to 300 films including Hindi, Gujarati, social and mythological films. Arvind Trivedi was also a Member of Parliament from 1991 to 1996. The well-known actor was also the acting chairman of the Censor Board for Film Certification (CBFC).

Ghanshyam Nayak- Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah actor Ghanshyam Nayak, who played Nattu kaka, passed away in October. He was 76 and was battling cancer since last December. Nayak had resumed shooting for the comic caper after undergoing chemotherapy for treatment of cancer. Nayak started as a child artiste in 1960 and went on to have a career in Gujarati and Hindi films and on the Gujarati stage. He even lent his voice as a playback singer, teaming up with Asha Bhosle and Mahendra Kapoor.

Anupam Shyam- Veteran actor Anupam Shyam, who is known for his role in multiple television shows and films, passed away late in August. He was 63. The actor, who was more recently known for his role of Thakur Sajjan Singh in the show "Mann Ki Pratigya 2" died due to multiple organ failure.