Bala saheb thought of me as family, says Amitabh Bachchan

Mumbai: January will see the release of an interesting movie, based on the life and times of former Shiv Sena honcho Bal Thackeray. Known for his fiery speeches and forthright manner of speaking, Thackeray’s life will be brought to life on screen by Nawazuddin Sidddiqui. 

The movie, Thackeray, has been penned by Sanjay Raut, and the teaser was released by Amitabh Bachchan, who paid rich tribute to the late politician.
“I’m honoured and thankful for being invited to the launch. I remember I would always attend programmes I was invited to, when Bala saheb was alive. I shared a very special and emotional bond with him,” he said.

Reminiscing some of his earliest contacts with Thackeray, Amitabh said. “I remember when I got married, Bala saheb called up to congratulate Jaya (Bachchan) and me. We were invited to his house and Tai (Mina Thackeray) gave Jaya a lovely reception. It was then that I realised that Bala saheb not only had deep love for me, but also thought of me as family. When I was injured on the sets of Coolie in 1982, I was brought to Mumbai from Bengaluru. As soon as my flight landed in Mumbai, Bala saheb sent a Shiv Sena ambulance to take me to the hospital. 

Talking about the time he met Thackeray one last time, Amitabh, in his trademark baritone sighed, “Uddhav ji (Thackeray) had allowed me to enter Bala saheb’s bedroom, where he was taking his last breath. But we were still praying and hoping things would change. I noted he had a picture of mine on the side of his bed. I could never imagine, till the day, that he had such enormous love for me.”