Bollywood remembers MF Husain

The news of veteran painter MF Husain having passed away in London on Thursday has upset not only the art world, but also Bollywood.

Of the ones who shared a rather special bond with the painter as his muses include actors Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Tabu, Amrita Rao and Vidya Balan. Madhuri who was shocked to learn about the painter’s sad demise — who had incidentally even directed her in his ambitious directorial debut Gaja Gamini — said that it was as much a personal loss as it was for the art world. “It’s such a shocking news. I still can’t believe that a person who was always so full of life is no more. God bless his soul,” said the Denver-based actor.

Back home, Vidya too confesses to being shocked by the news. “What a celebration of life, colour and glory. Having said that, however long a life, for an artist as great as him, it still seems short… May his soul rest in peace,” said Vidya, adding that she will ‘always cherish the fact that he wanted to make a film with me!’

Incidentally, the artist was also planning to make a film with another of his favourite actor Amrita Rao, who also happened to spend a vacation with the artist at his London home recently. “I am totally in shock. He simply loved life. Each time that we have chatted off late I have been telling him that he’s growing younger and more energetic. In fact he even shared his plans to host a rather big show to exhibit all his works on Indian cinema to celebrate him turning 100. He was so full of life that I can still not believe that he’s no more.”

Recalling her recent visit where she met up with the painter Amrita adds, “Husainji was the perfect host and although his health was a little down, his spirits were as always like that of a youngster. That’s how he’d want us to remember him as — an artist who lived his life to the fullest and inspired others to do so too!”

Some of the celebrities who tweeted their messages through Twitter:

Celina Jaitely: My God what a tragic loss..Hussein saab is no more..I met him last in Dubai at the emirates towers some months ago ..just cannot believe it.

Sophie Choudhry: #MFHussain May ur soul RIP far away frm the insanities of this oft cruel world & may the sky become ur new canvas.Thank you for your beautiful art.

Rahul Bose: Hussain passes away. we hang our heads partly in grief and partly in shame for not being able to let him spend his last days in this country.

Neha Dhupia: The end of yet another genius , MF Hussain RIP.

Taslima Nasreen: M.F.Hussain could not spend his last days in his motherland! Cry, the beloved country. Cry.

Shashi Tharoor: Deeply saddened by passing of M F Husain. Giant of Indian art  and wonderful personality, creative till his last breath at 95. A great loss for India.

Mahesh Bhupathi: RIP MF Hussain.. Errrie. We spoke a lot about him at dinner last night and the paintings he gifted Leander and me in '99.

Atul Kasbekar: I hope Husain saab can b allowed to finally rest in his homeland. Will miss you sir. U have been a tremendous source of energy n inspiration