Bollywood mourns Bal Thackeray's death

MUMBAI: Calling him a man of great "grit" and "conviction", Bollywood celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar and Ajay Devgnn condoled the demise of Shiv Sena patriarch Bal Thackeray today.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who had visited the ailing politician at his residence 'Matoshree' recently, said it is hard to believe that Thackeray is no more.

Also check: ET Special: Bal Thackeray’s life and times from Times of India archives



"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!," Bachchan, 70, tweeted.

Melody queen Lata Mangeshkar said Maharashra was "orphaned" by Thackeray's death at the age of 86.

"Hindu hriday samrat, param adarniya Shri Balasaheb Thackeray hum logon ko chhodke anant mein vileen ho gaye. Yeh satya hai ki aaj Maharashtra anaath ho gaya. (The king of Hindu hearts, Shri Balasaheb Thakeray left us for eternity. It is true that Maharashtra is orphaned today)."

Actor-producer Ajay Devgn said, "A man of convictions and a man of vision. A great leader. Rest in peace Balasaheb."

Director Ram Gopal Varma, whose Bachchan starrer 'Sarkar' was loosely based on Thackeray's life, tweeted, "...can't ever forget the hug the real Sarkar gave me when he saw reel Sarkar... Bala saab was a true epitome of power in every sense of the word."