• The late filmmaker Rakesh Sharma, a friend of the actor Amitabh Bachchan, passed away at the age of 81.
• Amitabh described Rakesh as “a most pleasant and kind-hearted individual” on his blog on Saturday night.
• However he also said that he “will hesitate to go to his funeral.”

The late filmmaker Rakesh Sharma, a friend of the actor Amitabh Bachchan, passed away at the age of 81. Amitabh described Rakesh as “a most pleasant and kind-hearted individual” on his blog on Saturday night, but he also said that he “will hesitate to go to his funeral.” Films like Mr. Natwarlal, Yaarana, Khoon Pasina, and Do Aur Do Paanch were directed by Rakesh.

Amitabh wrote, “But morose is the day… for another colleague has left us and me in particular… Rakesh Sharma , first AD to Prakash Mehra on ZANJEER .. then independent director for other PM (Prakash Mehra, as we often joked with him, as the PM of the country) films… and singularly – Hera Pheri, Khoon Pasina, Mr Natwarlal, Yaarana , et al… and such great camaraderie on sets and elsewhere, socially, during events and Holi…”

He continued, “One by one they all leave… But some like Rakesh leave an imprint that is hard to remove or forget… his sense of screenplay and direction, writing and execution on the spur of the moment and the fun times on location during Nattu and Yaarana .. his complete faith in his worth… and the ease with which he would grant us the liberty of skipping shootings on the odd day, just to be able to spend time relaxing fooling around and being in the company of uncontrollable laughter and gaiety…”

Amitabh concluded, “A most affable and kind-hearted human, ready to step up to any kind of inconvenience that artists that worked with him, faced! No I shall hesitate to go to his funeral… for I shall not be able to bear the sight of an inert Rakesh! You made many of us prominent with your innovative ideas for story and film, Rakesh, and you shall ever be remembered… (folded hands emojis).”

Rakesh reportedly passed away on November 10 in Mumbai after a protracted battle with cancer. On Sunday evening in Andheri, there will be a prayer gathering.