Bal Thackeray Was Like a Father to Me: Amitabh Bachchan

If it hadn’t been for a Shiv Sena ambulance, I wouldn’t have survived the ‘Coolie’ accident, says the megastar.

Amitabh Bachchan launched the teaser of the much-awaited biopic on late Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray on Thursday. The film, directed by Abhijit Panse, stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui in the lead role.

At the event, Bachchan opened up about his close relationship with the charismatic and controversial political leader.

“I have had a very personal and familial relationship with Balasaheb Thackeray. I used to attend every function when Balasaheb invited me. He has been an example for everyone. I met him first, forty years back when I had just married Jaya (Bachchan). He called me and told me that he wants to meet my wife. So Jaya and I went to Matoshree (Thackeray residence in Mumbai), and I was very touched with the way Aai (Balasaheb’s wife Mina Thackeray) welcomed her. She welcomed her the way she would welcome her own daughter-in-law. That day I decided that he was like a father figure to me. I have treated him as an integral part of my family. So, did he.”

Amitabh Bachchan, Actor

According to Indian Express, Big B also shared how Thackeray helped him when he was injured gravely on the sets of Coolie.

“When I was hurt during the Coolie shoot, I was hospitalised in Bangalore. I was critically hurt. When I was brought to Mumbai in an unconscious state, it was a monsoon night. It was raining heavily and we couldn’t find an ambulance to drop me at Breach Candy hospital, but Shiv Sena ambulance did it for me. If it hadn’t been for them, I wouldn’t be here.”

Thackeray stood by Bachchan through all kinds of bad times.

“There was a time where there some serious allegations on me and my family. Balasaheb would call and check on me. He would call me home and ask me if I am telling the truth. And once he was sure that I was, he stood by me like a pillar of strength... I have and will always respect Balasaheb. When he was on his deathbed, I was just hoping that somehow, he wakes up and spreads the energy as always. I was there in his room with Uddhav, Aditya and other coordinates. We were only praying for him, as we all wanted him to live longer. It was a tough time for us to see him in that condition, and suddenly I saw my picture in his room, next to his head. I was stunned and that moment has been captured in my mind forever.”

(Source: Indian Express)