Shakti who is shooting in Chandigarh, told BT, “I was shooting in Chandigarh when I got the news. I am going back to Mumbai now. The funeral was supposed to be at 1 pm but they have now postponed it to 4 pm because I will take some time to reach.”
Shakti, who has been part of many TV shows like Pavitra Rishta, Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi shared how his maternal grandfather lived a very disciplined life. He said, “He used to follow a strict diet and hardly ate carbs. He had been unwell since the past few days but he was not suffering from any ailment. He passed away due to old age. In fact, we were all set to celebrate his birthday on July 7, as he would turn 99. It is a coincidence that my grandmother passed away 10 years ago on the same day. I am happy that he lived a good life, produced and directed films and acted in around 200 films. I had the opportunity to act with him in a short film many years ago. I remember being extremely nervous in front of him.”
Shakti added, “He was a great dancer. I became a good dancer only after I practised during my stint on Jhalak Dikhla Jaa. But, now when I look back, I feel, maybe I inherited the dancing genes from my grandfather.”
His grandfather in fact did not want him to become an actor owing to the uncertainty in the profession. “He wanted me to complete my MBA and take up a job in the corporate world. But, somehow, I was inclined towards acting and later when he saw my TV show, Meri Aashiqui Tum Se Hi, he felt proud. My grandfather was not very educated but he was very well-informed. He could recite interesting shayaris and I having spent good times with him, which are now beautiful memories to cherish.”