DesiToob

The film industry wallahs who have benefited immensely by Amitabh Bachchan’s cinematic presence wish the icon a speedy recovery, each hailing the “incredible energy” and the “sweet, simple” ways in which he has touched their lives and enriched it.

Vinod Khanna, Bachchan’s one-time rival also feels concerned but stresses,”He is not old at all going by today’s standards. He just needs to look after himself better.” Khanna recounts the “splendid films” that they featured in together – Hera Pheri, Amar Akbar Anthony, Parvarish, Khoon Pasina and Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and remarks,”We complemented each other and shared a great association in the wonderful ‘70s,” he sighs. Calling him a “thorough pro”, he hopes that they will be paired yet again soon,”Hope there is such a script somewhere!” he wishes.

Pritish Nandy says, “It does come as a shock to me but then he has very successfully fought back such health issues in the past and I am sure he will do it again. AB has been a friend for many years now, from the days I headed The Times group and edited .

The Illustrated Weekly of India and Filmfare,” Theirs is not a friendship where they spend time together, but whenever Nandy needed him, he has always been on the other side of the telephone for him. “He made Kaante come alive for me and then refused his fees when we went over-budget. He inaugurated my exhibition of paintings in Kolkata in the early 90s and brought the city to a grinding halt when he did a small street-play on the occasion with Anupam Kher right in the heart of Shakespeare Sarani. I treasure his every gift and letter. He is a good man, a great actor, and a true friend,” goes on Nandy for whom Bachchan has promised to act in The Actor and the character he is playing is the biggest movie star ever, “Did I really have a choice? If he did not agree to do the movie, I would have had to shelve it,” he adds firmly.

Bachchan’s last screen outing The Last Lear, was produced by Arindam Chaudhuri of Planman who admits that Bachchan gave their entire team the best possible time through “his very considerate and loving ways”. He also adds that contrary to the popular belief “Bachchan sir works in a pretty relaxed manner, yet he’s the sort of person who’d get restless if he’s sitting at home. He has a good schedule – he takes rest on time, he eats very healthy food and exercises regularly. He doesn’t overexert or overwork.” But he does regret that Bachchan had to join them for a press conference the very next day he returned from The Unforgettable Tour. “I wished at times that we could give him more time to relax,” but he adds quickly that Bachchan will be back out and about soon. “Let him come out with a smile on his face,” he pleads. Mr. Arindam Chaudhuri says that Bachchan is “such a loving family man” and he’s all the time thinking about everything – “How is Abhishek, where is he, calling him, showing us his pictures on his mobile. He’s full of life,” he elaborates.

Sanjay Dutt’s trusted aide Dharam Oberoi relates how concerned Dutt has been, calling him up every 2-3 hours from London to get an update on Bachchan’s health. “He’s calling up Abhishek also. He wanted to fly back to be with the Bachchans. He’s very close to the family and he treats Abhishek like his younger brother,” he adds.

Rauf Ahmed, erstwhile Screen editor who has followed Bachchan’s career right from the outset remarks. “It’s very shocking that he’s in the hospital, he seemed to be going great guns, only the other day as we saw him doing the most incredible things on The Unforgettable Tour!. But knowing his resilience and ability to fight back, I am sure he’d once again bat it out and bounce back.” Ahmed says that it’s always been like this for Bachchan ever since he’s been tracking his career,” He never gives in, there is no parallel to him,” he says full of admiration.

National awardee, Sarika and his Shoebite co-star also pleaded that the Bachchan family be spared of the media glare because “this is a private moment, let them sort it out”. But she too is full of praise for her charismatic co-star, “He’s a very energetic man, while shooting with him recently on Shoebite he went to four different cities when we were working on one schedule! There is a strong man there, let’s leave him alone. Let the doctors decide what is to be done, it’s not for us to say,” she urged.

Sunil Lulla of Eros Films, producing Bachchan’s Aladdin, maintained a stoic silence over the matter saying that it was sensitive time for the family. Indeed, here’s wishing the great actor a speedy recovery, so that he not only shoots for Teen Patti, Shoebite, Aladdin, The Actor and Legend Of Kunal and also goes back on stage all over India withThe Unforgettable Tour. May he regale us forever!