Amitabh Bachchan compares Sridevi's passing to Guru Dutt's in touching poem

The sudden demise of actress Sridevi left the Indian film industry reeling in shock. Among the many who were stunned by the news was Amitabh Bachchan. The veteran was a co-star of Sridevi in films like Inquilaab (1984), Aakhree Raasta (1986) and Khuda Gawah (1992). 

Having attended the funeral, the 76-year-old veteran tweeted about a couplet that lyricist Javed Akhtar reminded him about at the ceremony. Bachchan wrote 'Javed Akhtar narrated this sher to me at funeral of Sridevi .. said it was written at time of Guru Dutt demise; but so appropriate for today ..' 

The couplet is a part of the ghazal written by the late Kaifi Azmi on director Dutt's passing. Like Sridevi, Dutt's death had arrived as a shock to the industry. The director continues to be hailed as one of the rare visionaries in Indian cinema. 

The lines read 'Rehne ko sadaa dehar me aata nahi koi / Tum jaise gaye aise bhi jaata nahi koi' (No one comes to live forever in this world/ But no one goes like you did from this world)

State honours for Sridevi's funeral, procession is among largest recorded in Mumbai

It is no coincidence that Akhtar chose to remember these lines, as the frenzy and outpouring of grief for the actress was a rare sight. The condolence meeting, which was opened to the public, saw thousands of fans line up to pay their last respects to the actress. 

Bachchan attended the last rites ceremony which were held at the Parle Seva Samaj crematorium near Pawan Hans in Juhu.u on 28 February.