Sarabhai vs Sarabhai’ actor Vaibhavi dies in road accident

Television actor Vaibhavi Upadhyaya, best known for her role as Jasmine in the series ‘Sarabhai vs Sarabhai: Take 2’, passed away in a road accident in Himachal Pradesh on Monday, police said.

Upadhyaya died in the Banjar area of Kullu district when the vehicle she was travelling in with her fiance fell into a gorge. The accident occurred while negotiating a steep curve. “Vaibhavi tried to get out of the vehicle through the window and sustained a head injury which proved fatal while the other passenger was safe,” SP Kullu Sakshi Verma said. The last rites of the 38-year-old actor were held in Mumbai on Wednesday. Upadhyaya played Jasmine Mawani, a fan favourite, on the show. Her fiery character was known for her footh-in-mouth humour and frequently using literal Gujarati-to-English translations.

‘Sarabhai vs Sarabhai’ producer J D Majethia shared the news of Upadhyaya’s demise on Instagram early Wednesday morning. “Life is so unpredictable. A very fine actress, dear friend Vaibhavi Upadhyay popularly known as ‘Jasmine’ of Sarabhai vs Sarabhai passed away. She met with an accident in the north…(sic)” he wrote.

Cast members also paid their tributes to the actor on social media, expressing their shock at her demise. Satish Shah, who played the Sarabhai family patriarch Indravadan, remembered Upadhyaya as “a fine actor and a colleague”.
“Can’t believe this” said Rupali Ganguly, who played Monisha in ‘Sarabhai vs Sarabhai’ and posted a picture of the actor. “Gone too soon Vaibhavi…” the “Anupamaa” wrote, alongside another still of Upadhayaya from
their show.