Bollywood Star's Heartfelt Tribute to Longtime Collaborator
Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan has shared an emotional tribute following the passing of his longtime makeup artist, Ashok Sawant, who had been an integral part of his professional and personal life for over 27 years. The actor took to his official Instagram account to express his grief and commemorate their decades-long association.
A Bond That Transcended Professional Relationship
In his heartfelt social media post, Bachchan revealed that Ashok Sawant had been his makeup artist since his very first film, establishing a relationship that spanned nearly three decades. The actor fondly referred to him as 'Ashok dada' and emphasized that he was much more than just a team member - he was considered part of the family.
The connection between the Bachchan family and the Sawant brothers runs even deeper. Abhishek shared that Ashok's elder brother Deepak has been serving as his father Amitabh Bachchan's makeup artist for close to 50 years, creating a multi-generational professional bond that is rare in the film industry.
Remembering the Person Behind the Professional
Bachchan's tribute painted a vivid picture of Ashok Sawant's personality and caring nature. Despite health issues that limited his presence on sets in recent years, Ashok made sure to check on the actor every single shooting day, ensuring his assistant was properly handling the makeup responsibilities.
The actor remembered his makeup artist as the most loving, gentle and affable person who always carried a smile and offered warm embraces. He fondly recalled how Ashok would often surprise him with homemade namkeen chivda or bhakar wadi tucked away in his bag, adding personal touches to their professional relationship.
"Last night we lost him," Bachchan wrote, conveying the profound sense of loss he feels. His emotional conclusion expressed both grief and hope: "Thank you dada, for your love, your care, your dignity, your talent and for your smile. It's heartbreaking to even think of going to work and knowing that you won't be with me."
Legacy and Current Projects
While mourning this personal loss, Abhishek Bachchan continues his professional journey. His recent sports drama film 'Ghoomer', co-starring Saiyami Kher, was re-released in theaters on November 7. This special re-release celebrates the Indian women's cricket team's historic first ICC World Cup triumph, adding significance to the timing of the film's return to cinemas.
The passing of Ashok Sawant marks the end of an era in Bollywood, where long-term professional relationships often form the backbone of successful film careers. Such enduring partnerships between artists and their support teams remain a testament to the family-like atmosphere that can develop behind the scenes in Indian cinema.
