PremiumWho is Rituraj Singh? 7 lesser-known facts about the Anupamaa actor
TV actor Rituraj Singh was 59 when he passed away due to a cardiac arrest earlier today. Did you know these 7 things about him?
Last Updated: 02.23 PM, Feb 20, 2024
TV actor Rituraj Singh succumbed to a cardiac arrest while being taken to the hospital. Known for having experimented with TV, films and even web series, he led an interesting life. As we remember the late actor, here are 7 lesser-known facts about the Anupamaa actor. Read on...
Rituraj Singh hailed from Rajasthan
Rituraj Singh Chandrawat Sisodia was the full name of Rituraj Singh. He was born into a Sisodia Rajput family in Kota, Rajasthan. Despite being a native of Rajasthan, he never lived in his own state. He studied in Delhi, then moved to the USA before returning to India at the age of 12. He made Mumbai his home in 1993.
A background in theatre
Singh spent 12 years performing in Delhi with Barry John's Theatre Action Group (TAG). Bollywood's reigning superstar, Shah Rukh Khan, was also a part of the same group. Some other well-known names, like Divya Seth Shah and Deepika Amin, were also in this group. Presumably, the gang started out as actors together before relocating to the city of dreams – Mumbai.
Shah Rukh Khan insisted that Singh take up acting
In an interview with IndianExpress.com, Singh disclosed that it was Shah Rukh Khan who had encouraged him to pursue acting. “He would hug me and introduce me to others as his oldest friend. He would invite me to his vanity van and we would smoke together. He would tell me, 'You are such a good actor; what are you doing in Delhi? Come with me to Mumbai,'” the late actor said about his bond with Shah Rukh Khan on King Khan's 50th birthday.
Never took favours from his superstar friend, Shah Rukh Khan
Singh gained popularity with TV shows like Banegi Apni Baat, Jyoti, Hitler Didi, Shapath, Warrior High, Aahat, Adaalat, Diya Aur Baati, and Anupamaa, among others, while SRK went on to become one of India's biggest stars. However, the 59-year-old Anupamaa actor never sought any acting-related favours from his long-time friend Shah Rukh Khan. Speaking about this, Singh once said, "I don’t suck up to him (SRK) and ask for favours. But I know that, God forbid, I am in a miserable situation tomorrow, SRK will be the first one to reach out to me."
Loved to experiment with different genres
Singh also acted in films such as Thunivu (2023), Vash-Possessed by the Obsessed, and Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017). Yaariyan 2, his most recent movie, was released last year. In addition to this, he appeared in several web series, such as Criminal, Hey Prabhu, The Test Case, Abhay, Bandish Bandits, Never Kiss Your Best Friend, and Made in Heaven, Season 2. He played Yashpal in the TV series Anupamaa before passing away.
A man of varied interests
In an old interview with TellyChakkar, Singh revealed, "I love to write poetry as well as philosophy, but no one is allowed to read it." Besides, he was also interested in sports like lawn tennis and football, which he used to play often. Admittedly, he claimed to be a "die-hard romantic" by nature.
His children were his best friends
Although he was a successful and well-known actor with many friends in the industry, it was the late actor's kids who made him the happiest. In an interview with TellyChakkar, Singh shared, "I have two children, Jahaan and Adhiraj. I love to spend time with them on a daily basis." He had also said he considered them his best friends and liked taking them out for movies, shopping, holidays and sports-based activities.