National award-winning choreographer and film and television artiste Siva Sankar has died due to COVID-19 complications at a private hospital this evening. He was 73. The veteran was placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the AIG hospital, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, earlier this week with 75 percent of his lungs reportedly getting infected due to COVID-19. Siva Sankar's death was announced by actor Sonu Sood on Twitter on Sunday evening. He tweeted, "Heartbroken to hear about the demise of Shiv Shankar masterji. Tried our best to save him but God had different plans. Will always miss you masterji. May almighty give strength to the family to bear this loss. Cinema will always miss u sir 💔"
Heartbroken to hear about the demise of Shiv Shankar masterji. Tried our best to save him but God had different plans. Will always miss you masterji.
— sonu sood (@SonuSood) November 28, 2021
May almighty give strength to the family to bear this loss.
Cinema will always miss u sir 💔 pic.twitter.com/YIIIEtcpvK
The news of Siva Sankar getting admitted in hospital for treatment for COVID-19 had drawn a large response from fans and celebrities, including Sonu Sood, 'Megastar' Chiranjeevi and Tamil actor Dhanush who stepped forward to help the acclaimed choreographer's family for his medical expenses. Siva Sankar's death has come as a massive blow to many across the country, with celebrities and fans paying their tributes on social media. Baahubali director SS Rajamouli tweeted, "Sad to know that reknowned choreographer Shiva Shankar Master garu has passed away. Working with him for Magadheera was a memorable experience. May his soul rest in peace. Condolences to his family." Likewise, leading South Indian actress Aishwarya Rajesh expressed her condolences and said, "Deeply saddened to learn of the demise of renowned choreographer #ShivaShankarMaster. A wonderful soul, he was always a pillar of support to me. My deepest condolences to his friends and family. May God grant them the strength to bear this huge loss!" Actress Kasthuri Shankar tweeted, "Our Beloved Shivashankar master is no more. The Covid demon continues wreaking havoc on the movie fraternity. Master has gone to dance with the Gods. I heard @dhanushkraja and @SonuSood helped out. God bless you."
Sad to know that reknowned choreographer Shiva Shankar Master garu has passed away. Working with him for Magadheera was a memorable experience. May his soul rest in peace. Condolences to his family.
— rajamouli ss (@ssrajamouli) November 28, 2021
Deeply saddened to learn of the demise of renowned choreographer #ShivaShankarMaster. A wonderful soul, he was always a pillar of support to me. My deepest condolences to his friends and family. May God grant them the strength to bear this huge loss! pic.twitter.com/bHfBYfNr77
— aishwarya rajesh (@aishu_dil) November 28, 2021
Our Beloved Shivashankar master is no more. The Covid demon continues wreaking havoc on the movie fraternity. Master has gone to dance with the Gods.
— Kasturi Shankar (@KasthuriShankar) November 28, 2021
I heard @dhanushkraja and @SonuSood helped out. God bless you. pic.twitter.com/EGA5Q3pRts
Siva Sankar had won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award on four occasions for choreography and became a household name in the state after appearing as a judge on the popular dance reality show Challenge. Apart from his passion for dance, he has appeared in television serials like Naga Bhairavi in Telugu and Jothi in Tamil to name a notable few. Siva Sankar has also starred in films in supporting roles in films like 'Thala' Ajith Kumar's Varalaru, Santhanam's Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya, director Bala's Paradesi, Sundar. C's Aranmanai, Suriya's Thaanaa Serndha Koottam, including 'Thalapathy' Vijay's Sarkar.