Veteran Artist Satyajit Singh Shergill, Father of Actor Jimmy Shergill, Passes Away at 90

Satyajit Singh, a senior figure in the art world, breathed his last peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. A prayer service, including Bhog and Antim Ardas, is scheduled for today from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM at Gurudwara Dhan Pothohar Nagar in Santacruz West, Mumbai. Family and friends are expected to gather to pay their respects to the patriarch, whose life was a canvas of quiet creativity and unyielding principles.

The Shergill family's artistic roots run deep. Satyajit was a cousin of the legendary Hungarian-Indian painter Amrita Sher-Gil, often hailed as one of modern India's greatest artists. Her bold, evocative works influenced generations, much like the understated yet profound impact Satyajit had on his kin. Jimmy, born into this Punjabi Sikh lineage where traditions like wearing a turban held sacred significance, has often spoken fondly—and candidly—about his father's stern demeanor.

In a heartfelt revelation to Dainik Bhaskar, Jimmy recounted a pivotal rift from his youth that tested their bond to the breaking point. As an 18-year-old in a hostel, grappling with the rigors of self-reliance during studies, Jimmy faced the daily hassle of maintaining his uncut hair and turban. One day, practicality won over custom: he quietly cut his hair, shaved his beard, and discarded the turban without a word to his family.

Returning home for holidays, he was met with a storm of disapproval. "My father was furious," Jimmy shared. "He didn't speak to me for a full year and a half. We are from a strict Sikh family, and this felt like a betrayal of our heritage." What Jimmy dismissed as "childish impulsiveness" at the time—unaware that acting would become his calling—left a scar, but also a lesson in forgiveness. Over time, the silence thawed, forging a deeper understanding between father and son.

Jimmy's cinematic odyssey began humbly in 1996 with Maachis, a gritty tale of Punjab's turmoil. But it was 2000's Mohabbatein, Aditya Chopra's ensemble drama, that catapulted him to stardom alongside Shah Rukh Khan. From there, he carved a niche in versatile roles: the intense activist in Haasil (2003), the comic foil in Munnabhai MBBS (2003), the brooding lover in Raqeeb (2007), and the empathetic figure in My Name Is Khan (2010). His portrayal of the cunning landlord in Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster (2011) remains a fan favorite.

Looking ahead, Jimmy shows no signs of slowing down. He's gearing up for De De Pyaar De 2, a rom-com sequel; Bullet Vijay, an action thriller; and Mr. I, a mystery drama projects that promise to keep his legacy as a reliable on-screen force alive.

As the Shergill family mourns, Jimmy's words from that interview resonate: "Everything just happened on its own." In life, as in art, the unplanned strokes often paint the most enduring portraits. Tributes have poured in from colleagues, underscoring Satyajit's quiet influence and Jimmy's grounded spirit. The industry pauses to honor a father whose silence once echoed louder than words.