21st February,2024, Mumbai: Actor Vaquar Shaikh, who costarred with him in “Banegi Apni Baat” (BAB) and is currently starring in the popular show as his on-screen brother, expressed shock at hearing of his passing.
I am at a lose for words: Vaquar Shaikh
“I am at a loss for words. To be honest, I can’t think of anything to say about him. It’s really startling. To be honest, I’m terrified, disappointed, and at a loss for words. Actually, I was planning to work the 7 a.m. shift today, but calls didn’t start coming in until 8:30. I was in a shoot, so I couldn’t read the messages I received. Then, I received a call, and I was shocked by it,” he remarked.
He discussed working with the late actor in BAB and disclosed that the actor went by the nickname “Ritz” among his pals. “He was doing the show right from the start,” he remarked. Three years later, I joined. We used to really look up to this actor, who was a major sensation at the time thanks to his telefilms that had previously been broadcast, and I have wonderful recollections of meeting him on the set. Additionally, every cast member on BAB was a huge star when the show first began.
Vaquar Shaikh On Rituraj Singh
He was extremely kind, considerate, giving, and pleasant to newcomers like me to the show. He was really helpful and put you at ease right away. Now that I’m thinking about him, I can so clearly recall his smile, which used to brighten up and be full of vitality and energy. He was also incredibly knowledgeable and always willing to help. At the time, he was knowledgeable about everything under the sun,” he continued.
Vaquar, who played Rituraj’s younger brother in “Anupamaa,” laments that he was unable to film a single sequence with him. Ironically, I played his younger brother when I started ‘Anupamaa,’ but strangely, I never shot alongside him—not even for a single day. I honestly don’t know what to say, but I’m getting a lot of calls and texts today,” he remarked.
Vaquar’s Working Experience With Rituraj Singh
“It would have been incredibly lovely to have at least one scene with him. After almost more than two decades, I would have continued to work with him. However, I ought to have had a scene or two with him,” Vaquar continued. He also mentioned the unfortunate death of Suhani Bhatnagar, a 19-year-old “Dangal” girl, who passed suddenly a few days ago. He emphasised how heartbreaking it is to lose a loved one and said, “She was very young and that was absolutely no age to go.”
“Even Ritz, for that matter, was only 59,” he continued. It’s always been a pleasure to watch him, and he was doing a lot of wonderful work. I would want to offer my sympathies to the family, pray for the family’s fortitude in dealing with the loss, and hope that the deceased finds peace and a beautiful place in the skies.
-Sapna Meena