Bollywood is in deep mourning over Bal Thackeray’s death. Actors are rushing to pay their homage to the Shiv Sena Supremo. There were reasons why Bollywood celebrities queued up to call on Bal Thackeray when the Shiv Sena supremo lay in a critical condition before he breathed his last Saturday. He was always with them, for them in their times of need.
With some, he shared an endearing relationship, and with some, one of love-and-hate.
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who visited Thackeray Wednesday, recently recalled how inspiring and motivational Thackeray was for him when the actor was recovering in hospital after his near fatal accident on the sets of 1983 film “Coolie”.
“When I was flown in to Mumbai from Bangalore in semi-conscious state after ‘Coolie’ accident, it was his ambulance that took me to Breach Candy Hospital,” Amitabh recently shared on Twitter.
“When I fought for my life after ‘Coolie’ accident, he came to visit me in hospital, with a cartoon he had drawn – Yamraj defeated! Yamraj – God of Death, defeated by me… wish I was as proficient a cartoonist as he, I would wish to draw that for him,” posted Big B, adding how Thackeray considered Jaya Bachchan as his ‘bahu’.
Amitabh recalled when his name was drawn into the Bofors scandal, Thackeray again came to his aid. “Tell me the truth, are you involved? Then don’t worry, I am with you,” Thackeray then told Big B.
Amitabh Bachchan posted, I sat by his bedside for hours these past few days, a prayer in my heart, watching him struggling to breathe, but fighting. Each day he continued his struggle with a grit that was baffling even for the doctors on hand. And just a couple of hours back, as I stand next to his still, peaceful, saffron draped body, it is difficult to imagine that he has left us!
For many, including Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan and even Reena Roy, Thackeray, a cartoonist-turned-politician, is said to have gone out of his way to lend a helping hand. And for legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, Thackeray was a “father figure”.
Lata Mangeshkar said in her message, “Today at 3:30 pm, respected Bal Thackeray left us all to tread the path to salvation. Maharashtra is orphaned today. He had been doing some great work, served the country for years and kept the name of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj alive in Maharashtra. The Mangeshkar family pays tribute to a soul extremely pure as Bal Thackeray. May his soul rest in peace”
Her family knew him for the past four decades. In wake of his ill health over the past few days, Mangeshkar had even postponed a recent function of her music company.
The news of Thackeray’s death is yet to be broken to veteran actor Dilip Kumar, once his close friend.
“Balasaheb was close to Dilip saheb, but unfortunately Dilip saheb is not well since past two days. He had high fever, so I have not informed him (about Thackeray’s death) yet. It will be a big shock for him,” Dilip’s wife Saira Banu told IANS.
In 1998, Dilip Kumar is said to have had a fallout with Thackeray when the latter demanded the actor to return the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, Pakistan’s highest civilian award.
Thackeray was involved in many such instances – in two with superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
In 2010, his Shiv Sena threatened to stop the release of Shah Rukh-starrer “My Name is Khan” over the actor’s remarks favouring inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League. Also, in an incident earlier this year, Thackeray had criticised King Khan for his “misdemeanour” with security officials at Wankhede Stadium.
But they never harboured any ill will. Shah Rukh even visited him recently and admitted that he shared a “personal relationship” with the Thackeray family.
“Out of huge amount of regard, plus not only for his age and status, I have spent some good time with him. My mother once told me that you can fight in good times, but when bad time comes, you must pray and spread love,” SRK said at a recent event.
The love and respect for Thackeray continues within the hearts of many celebrities.
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma can’t forget a warm hug he received from the man whom many considered the Hindu Hriday Samrat (emperor of the hearts of the Hindus).
“Can’t ever forget the hug the real Sarkar gave me when he saw reel ‘Sarkar’. Balasaheb was a true epitome of power in every sense of the word,” shared Varma.
Over the past few days, Thackeray’s residence Matoshri saw a steady stream of celebrities, including Manoj Kumar as well as Kapoor brothers – Randhir, Rishi and Rajeev, and the flow continued Saturday.
Hrithik Roshan, who visited Matoshri post Thackeray’s death, tweeted: “Today when I visited Matoshri, I had a silent prayer in my heart and the prayer continues. God bless Balasaheb’s soul.”
Among a string of ‘rest in peace’ messages from Bollywood celebrities, following Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s death here Saturday, were emotional condolences from veterans like Amitabh Bachchan and Lata Mangeshkar. They described him as a man of grit and purity.
Several other names from the Hindi film industry, including Mahesh Bhatt, Ram Gopal Varma, Madhur Bhandarkar, Kabir Bedi and Riteish Deshmukh took to Twitter to share their sentiments on the death of the politico, who breathed his last Saturday afternoon at his residence Matoshri.
Many called him the ‘tiger’.
Here’s what the celebrities wrote:
Hema Malini: The battle is over and eternal life begins. I’m so sorry (for) the loss Shri Balasaheb’s family is enduring. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Mahesh Bhatt: Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them. The memory of Bal Thackeray will live in the memory of we Mumbaikars forever.
Kabir Bedi: My condolences to the entire family of Balasaheb Thackeray. He was certainly a major influence in the politics of Maharashtra.
Karan Johar: Thoughts and prayers with the Thackeray family. RIP Balasaheb.
Madhur Bhandarkar: RIP Balasaheb. He lived with great conviction in his beliefs, which led him to be a great leader. Wish strength to his family! Balasaheb was outspoken and a sharp observer. He will deeply be missed.
Arjun Rampal: RIP Balasaheb, condolences to his family. Peace be with you and all your loved ones.
Neha Dhupia: RIP Balasaheb. Prayers and strength for the family.
Aftab Shivdasani: Another legend passes away… let’s pray for the soul of Shri Balasaheb Thackeray. May the divine grant him peace. Om Sai Ram.
Siddharth: Bal Thackeray is dead. If you’re not a born Maharashtrian, I don’t think he would like you stealing condolences for his death from his people.
Vivek Oberoi: RIP Balasaheb – the roaring tiger of Maharashtra! Our prayers are with the Thackeray family and the millions of followers!
Smriti Irani: Maharashtracha Sher la antim pranam. RIP Saheb.
Dia Mirza: RIP Bala Saheb. Let there be peace. 45 years as leader, a phenomenon no one can ever ignore.
Riteish Deshmukh: Balasaheb was a hero. People loved him, copied him, followed him.
Ranvir Shorey: Tiger to the end. RIP, Balasaheb.
Kunal Kohli: Balasaheb will always live on. A great orator. An astute cartoonist.A voice of the people. A lion amongst men.
Ritesh Sidhwani: Maharashtra has lost its tiger. RIP Balasaheb. My condolences to the family.