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I have lost a mother, says Amitabh
By: Amitabh Bachchan
October 15, 2004
Over the years, I realised that the role Ms Nirupa Roy played of my mother on screen had actually transcended off-screen too.
It was the same motherly warmth that she exuded towards me on screen that she exuded in real life as well. She was exceedingly fond of me and I of her. I would touch her feet like I touch my mother’s. And the friendship and bond that developed were overwhelming.
We were last paired five years ago in (K C Bokadia’s) Lal Badshah. Around that time, I perceived that she was going through a rough patch in her life.
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She later met and confided her problems in me, just as a mother talks to her son. I am so glad that — albeit in a very small way — I was able to help her out.
Of course we had done several films together. And what I always noticed and admired about her was her professionalism. You could never hear anything wrong about her.
She was quiet and emotionally very strong. On strength, obviously I must add, she was physically very strong too. I can never forget the brunt of her slap in (Yash Chopra’s) Deewar!
In a career spanning many years, she had started out as the leading lady in films and later she matured on to play character roles. Which is a lot like me who was once a leading man and now plays mature characters.
The last time I met Nirupaji was at the Filmfare Awards where she was felicitated for her contribution to Indian cinema.
She had recently also invited me to a function in her house. I think it was her birthday and I felt very sad that I couldn’t be with her then, because I was not in town. That she is no more, I feel like I have lost a mother, a person I felt very close to.
As told to Mayank Shekhar
