Modi pens letter offering condolences on demise of Akshay Kumar's mother, actor says PM's 'comforting words will stay with me forever'

Modi's letter revealed that he had spoken to the actor on the morning of his mother's death.

By ET Online | Updated: Sep 13, 2021, 09.25 AM IST

In his letter to Kumar, PM Modi said that Aruna Bhatia stood by the actor like a rock.

Actor Akshay Kumar took to social media to say that he was grateful to have received a letter from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, offering condolences on the demise of the actor's mother Aruna Bhatia.

Bhatia, who had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Mumbai's Hiranandani Hospital, passed away on September 8.

The 'Bell Bottom' actor took to Twitter to shar the note, saying he was 'humbled' by Modi's gesture.

"Humbled by condolence messages on mom’s passing, thankful to all. Grateful to hon’ble PM for this amazing gesture to take out time and express warm feelings for me and my late parents. These comforting words will stay with me forever. Jai Ambe," the 53-year-old tweeted.

Humbled by condolence messages on mom’s passing, thankful to all��Grateful to hon’ble PM for this amazing gesture t… https://t.co/4Tyr62ItVN
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) 1631437227000

In the letter, dated September 11, Modi said that he was saddened by the demise of Kumar's mother and recalled his conversation with him on "that fateful morning". He went on to add that Bhatia "left the world knowing fully well that her beloved son is one of India's most admired and versatile actors."

"You were crestfallen and you encapsulated it emotionally when you wrote, 'She was my core. And today I feel an unbreakable pain at the very core of my existence'," the letter said.

Adding, "Through your journey, you retained the right values and moral strength due to which you could easily turn adversities into opportunities. And these learnings came from your parents. When you began your career, I am sure people on the way would have been skeptical, even outright condescending.

"But, your mother stood with you like a rock. At the peak of success and the lows of failure, she was there as an anchor. She ensured you remained kind, compassionate and humble at all times. She also instilled a spirit of service in you, seen repeatedly through your philanthropic initiatives and eagerness to give back to society."

The PM concluded the letter, saying, "In such times of grief, words seldom do justice. Preserve her memories and legacy, and keep making her proud. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with you and your family. Om Shanti."

Kumar was filming in the UK for his upcoming film 'Cinderella' when his mother was rushed to the ICU, and the actor had returned to the country to be with her.

Not Just Films, These Businesses Also Contribute To Akshay Kumar's $48.5 Million Fortune

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Akshay Kumar, known as the 'Khiladi' of Bollywood, knows a thing or two not just about the business of films, giving one superhit after another, but also about the art of business.

The 'Bell Bottom' star, who turns 54 today, has a fortune pegged at $48.5 million, as per Forbes. He was the only Indian actor to find a spot on the magazine's highest-paid actors in the world list in 2020, led by Dwayne Johnson. Kumar stood at the 6th spot ahead of celebrities like Will Smith and Jackie Chan. He also found a spot on the publication’s highest-paid celebrities list, where the only Indian ahead of him was Indian skipper Virat Kohli.

According to media reports, Kumar - who is Bollywood's highest-paid star - charges over Rs 120 crore for a film, but despite that, a major source of his income comes from (his over 36) brand endorsements.

It's not just what the star does in front of the screen (he is also gearing up for his first digital show 'The End' for Amazon Prime) that adds to the bank, but also Kumar's various business investments. Here's a look at where the actor chooses to invest his money.