Arjun Bijlani on losing his father at 19: 'It changed my life forever'
Synopsis
Arjun Bijlani lost his father at 19 — an age when most are still finding their footing. Decades on, the Naagin and Ishq Mein Marjawan actor says he only truly understood his father's silent sacrifices after becoming a parent himself, and that those values of honesty and courage remain his daily guide.
Key Takeaways
Arjun Bijlani lost his father when he was just 19 years old , an experience he describes as life-changing.
The actor said he only fully understood his father's sacrifices after taking on family responsibilities himself.
Bijlani described his father in three words: 'Strong, selfless, inspiring.' He expressed regret at not having thanked his father more for his silent sacrifices .
The values of honesty, integrity, and love for family instilled by his father continue to guide Bijlani daily.
Television actor Arjun Bijlani has opened up about one of the most defining moments of his life — losing his father when he was just 19 years old. In a candid reflection, the Mumbai-based actor said the loss reshaped his entire outlook and that he only began to grasp the full extent of his father's sacrifices as he grew older and took on responsibilities himself.
The Weight of Early Loss
'Honestly, after I lost him. I was just 19 when my father passed away, and as I grew older and started handling responsibilities myself, I realised how much he had quietly sacrificed for all of us,' Bijlani said. The actor, best known for his roles in Ishq Mein Marjawan and Naagin, described his father in three words: 'Strong, selfless, inspiring.'
Gratitude He Wishes He Had Voiced
Bijlani said there is one sentiment he regrets not expressing more often. 'For believing in me even before I believed in myself. I wish I had thanked him more for all the silent sacrifices he made for our family,' he said. The actor noted that many of his father's choices and quiet acts of devotion only became fully legible to him once he himself became a father.
'The way he carried the weight of the family's responsibilities without ever letting us feel the pressure. As a father myself now, I truly understand what that takes. No matter what life threw at him, he always faced it with courage and dignity. That's something I try to live by every day,' Bijlani added.
Values That Continue to Guide Him
The actor said the principles his father embodied — honesty, integrity, and a deep love for family — remain his personal compass in everyday life. Rather than fading with time, these values have grown more meaningful as Bijlani has navigated his own career and family life in the years since.
A Message Across Time
When asked what he would say to his father if given the chance, Bijlani offered an emotional response. 'Papa, I miss you every day. I wish you were here to see everything we've achieved as a family and all the success that has come my way. But I know wherever you are, you're watching over me, blessing me, and smiling. Thank you for everything. Love you always,' he said.
The actor's candid account is a reminder that grief, particularly when it arrives early, can quietly become one of the most formative forces in a person's life — shaping not just who they become, but how they choose to parent and lead.
Point of View
But Bijlani's account carries genuine texture — particularly his observation that a parent's sacrifices only become visible once you are carrying similar weight yourself. What is notable here is not the loss itself but the delayed comprehension of it, a dynamic that resonates far beyond the entertainment world. For a public figure whose persona has largely been defined by on-screen heroics, this kind of vulnerability is a deliberate, and arguably overdue, humanising turn.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Arjun Bijlani when he lost his father?
Arjun Bijlani was 19 years old when his father passed away. He has said the loss was a defining moment that changed his life completely.
What did Arjun Bijlani say about his father's sacrifices?
Bijlani said he only began to understand the full depth of his father's sacrifices after growing older and handling family responsibilities himself. He described his father as someone who carried the weight of the family without ever letting them feel the pressure.
How does Arjun Bijlani describe his father?
Bijlani described his father in three words: 'Strong, selfless, inspiring.' He said his father's honesty, integrity, and love for family continue to serve as his guiding principles.
What message did Arjun Bijlani share for his late father?
Bijlani said: 'Papa, I miss you every day. I wish you were here to see everything we've achieved as a family and all the success that has come my way. Thank you for everything. Love you always.'
Which TV shows is Arjun Bijlani known for?
Arjun Bijlani is best known for his roles in the television series Ishq Mein Marjawan and Naagin, both popular Hindi-language drama productions.
