REMEMBERING ATALJI

Bollywood pays a heartfelt tribute to the poet, leader, visionary that India has lost

SHAH RUKH KHAN

“My father used to take me for every speech that Mr Vajpayee made in Delhi when I was growing up. Years on, I had the opportunity to meet him and spend lots of time discussing poetry, films, politics and our ailing knees. I also had the privilege of enacting one of his poems for screen. He was fondly addressed as ‘Baapji’ at home. Today the country has lost a Father Figure and a great leader. Personally, I have lost a part of my childhood and growing up memories of learning, smiling and of course poetry. I consider myself the luckiest to have had his influence on my life during my formative years. May his soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Will miss your smiling face Baapji.”

RAM AVATAR BHARDWAJ

“I was asked to play Atal Bihari Vajpayee in a film and I did it naturally. It seemed like God’s gift. I didn’t have to adapt much as I am a politician myself. In 2003, I had gone to the BJP office in Delhi to get an election ticket. Many confused me for Atalji. It’s my deepest regret that I could not meet him as he was leaving for a foreign trip. I wish I had met him at least once. India has lost a great leader.”

NEETU CHANDRA

My first memory of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee was when I met him in college. I was given the Student of the Year award by him in IP College, Delhi. He wasn’t the PM then, but he was there as the chief guest. I will always remember him as a statesman, a visionary. Last year, I recited his poems at a UP government event on his 93rd birthday. He was in the hospital at that time, so the event was streamed live for him.

ESHA GUPTA

“My nana, the late Surendra Nath Mittal and Atalji were childhood friends. Atalji was a man of many words and wisdom. I’m upset today because the only person I could call nana has also left us. He was the only leader who took the nation ahead. He believed the world can be at peace if the heart of the person is pure, like his. Our chats on different occasions, his poems, his love, everything was real. He wanted to and he did great for our nation. His greatest line to me once was, ‘gandagi mein hi kamal khilta hai beta’.”