'Baa' of Indian television, Sudha Shivpuri, passes away

Sudha Shivpuri known for her role as Baa in Kyuki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, passed away on Wednesday morning. The funeral is expected to take place in Oshiwara Crematorium, Mumbai, at 2.30 pm on Wednesday. 

Sudha died at around 6 AM at a suburban hospital in Andheri, where she was admitted since two weeks. "Sudha was in coma for last three days in Criticare hospital in Andheri. She passed away due to multiple organ failure resulting from an infection," Sandeep Basu, a family friend, said.

Sudha lost her father at a very young age and eventually had to start her career early in her life to support her family. At  the age of 31, she married popular actor Om Shivpuri and worked with him at the Delhi theatre. Later, the couple formed a theatre company of their own, Dishantar. She played lead roles in many plays that were directed by her husband and performed at Dishantar. 

After shifting to Mumbai in 1974, Sudha started getting several film offers, and she debuted in Bollywood in 1977, with Basu Chatterjee's film, Swami. She has also acted in films like Insaf Ka Tarazu, Sawan Ko Aane Do, Burning Train, Maya Memsaab among others.

After her husband died in 1990, Sudha took up more TV roles and became a common face on Indian television.

Her biggest and most popular role was in 2000, when she was asked to perform the character of Baa in Kyuki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. KSBKB was directed by Ekta Kapoor and this role even won her several TV awards. She also acted in many serials after that like Kis Des Mein Hai Mera Dil, Kasamh Se and Santoshi Maa.

The veteran TV actress is survived by her daughter and son. 

Messages flowed on Twitter for Sudha Shivpuri on Wednesday morning:

Sad News! Mrs Sudha Shivpuri, popularly known as BAA and the senior most of the nsd alunii, passed away peacefully this morning.R.I.P

— Drmrunalinni Patil (@mrunalinni) May 20, 2015

Sudha Shivpuri, who played Ba in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, passes away. Hv known her since childhood.. Go in peace, Aunty. We love u.

— Tuhinaa Vohra (@tuhinaavohra) May 20, 2015

One of my favorites, lovable and adorable personality Sudha shivpuri aka "Baa" in tv series "kyonki passed away, May her soul rest in peace

— Pratik Gandhi (@pratikg80) May 20, 2015

You will always be remembered as Baa... May you rest in Peace. Jai Shree Krishna #SudhaShivpuri

— Mittal (@MittalPatel30) May 20, 2015

Mrs Sudha Shivpuri (wife of Om Shivpuri) also popularly known as Baa in Kyun Ki passed away this morning. May her soul rest in peace. #RIP

— Mushtaq Shiekh (@shiekhspear) May 20, 2015

#SudhaShivpuri popularly known as Baa in Kyun Ki passed away. She was the coolest Saas of the TV serials till date. #RIPBaa

— Deepika Kaul (@kauldeepika) May 20, 2015