Mumbai: Actor Rituraj Singh, who was known for his role in television series ‘Anupamaa’, died on Monday night due to cardiac arrest. He was 59.
According to reports, he was suffering from pancreatic issues for some time and was recently hospitalised. His close friend and actor Amit Behl has confirmed his death. “Yes he passed away due to cardiac arrest. He was admitted to to a hospital some time back for treatment of pancreas. [He] returned home, had some cardiac complications and passed away,” Behl was quoted as saying by Times of India.
Singh has acted in TV shows like Banegi Apni Baat (1993), Jyoti, Hitler Didi, Shapath, Warrior High, Aahat, Adaalat, and Diya Aur Baati Hum. He also played the role of Balwant Chodhary in Laado 2. He has also appeared in web series such as Bandish Bandits and Made in Heaven as well as in films like Badrinath ki Dulhania, Satyameva Jayate 2, and Yaariyan 2.
“I am so saddened to know that Ritu Raj passed away. We lived in the same building, he was a part of my first film as a producer. Lost a friend and a great actor…,” actor Arshad Warsi posted on X.
Filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and actor Manoj Bajpayee also penned heartbreaking notes for their friend.
Rituraj, my friend, how did you make it even possible? “Kitna baaki tha…” Artists never die.
ॐ शान्ति। pic.twitter.com/83bHy5zcd9— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) February 20, 2024
How can this be true Ritz? Why? Such a devastating news to wake up to ! Rest in peace Rituraj my friend! ॐ शान्ति 🙏
— manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) February 20, 2024
Calling the news ‘unbelievable’, filmmaker Hansal Mehta wrote, “I directed him briefly in a daily soap called K Street Pali Hill but in the process we became good friends. Been a while since we hung out but I have such fond memories. Untapped actor and a warm human. Gone suddenly and too early.”
Actress Kavita Kaushik also remembered how Singh played her on-screen father in the daily soap Kutumb. “Amazing actor, crazy energy, life of a party , My screen father in Kutumb .. learnt so much from him .. Gone too soon Rituraj … May you find peace and all that you were looking for in another world,” she tweeted.