'But even though Husain is touted as a controversial figure, he had no bad intentions towards anyone,' says Relia, founder of Archer Art Gallery in Ahmedabad.
In a telephonic conversation, Anil Relia, founder of Archer Art Gallery in Ahmedabad and a close friend of the great artist MF Husain speaks to DNA from London about the demise of MF Husain.
He says, "I am going to miss him thoroughly. I have been associated with him for the past 20 years. Even when I met him, he was his usual self, asking me about my family and my well being. But I felt he had lost hope towards the end and succumbed to what was initially a mild heart attack and lung infection. I will remember him for his great qualities that even today leave me thinking about this great soul. He had completed a project that was very close to his heart and was based on Indian cinema.
Husain was planning to make a comedy film with Vidya Balan. Husain told me, 'I always had the well known comedian Buster Keaton in my mind while conceptualising this film.'
But even though Husain is touted as a controversial figure, he had no bad intentions towards anyone. He took the entire issue very lightly and told me sabko apna kaam karne do, main mera kaam karta rahunga. In fact, he expressed his deep desire to breathe his last in India, but unfortunately he couldn't. Back in those days, when Amdavad ni Gufa was being attacked, one thing that still reminds me of Husain is his concern for his fellow citizens as he used to keep a tab on all the people-chaiwala, his cook, laariwala and would always check about their safety. I was planning to display his works in Ahmedabad this year and may go ahead with it. On Monday there will be a condolence ceremony at Gufa at 5 pm where all can come and pay tribute to this great artist and my dear friend."
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