India's former external affairs minister, and Bharatiya Janata Party leader, Sushma Swaraj passed away in Delhi, late on Tuesday, 6 August. She was 67.
One of the most prominent leaders of the ruling BJP party, Swaraj was a Supreme Court lawyer, and had also become only the second woman in India to hold the post of External Affairs Ministry. Her death was greeted with condolences across party lines.
Even in the Hindi film industry, actors and filmmakers took to their social media to express their sadness at this tragic loss. Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Ritesh Deshmukh, Rishi Kapoor, Hema Malini were among the many who took to Twitter to express their sadness at the loss.
Bachchan wrote 'Ek atyant dukhat samachar! Ek bahut hi prabal rajnitigya, ek milansaar vyaktitwa. Atma ki shanti ke liye, prarthana (An extremely sad news. A strong politician, a friendly personality. Prayers for the departed soul).'
एक अत्यंत दुखद समाचार ! एक बहुत ही प्रबल राजनीतिज्ञ , एक मिलनसार व्यक्तिव , एक अद्भुत प्रवक्ता । आत्मा की शांति के लिए , प्रार्थना 🙏 https://t.co/TRikqtswd9
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) August 6, 2019
Actor Boman Irani also expressed his condolence for the sudden demise.
A force of nature she was. Too young to go. Saddened to hear this untimely news. A nation’s loss. #SushmaSwaraj #RIPSushmaSwaraj
— Boman Irani (@bomanirani) August 6, 2019
Anupam Kher, a vocal supporter of the ruling BJP party, also expressed his shock at the untimely demise, calling her 'one of the finest human beings, and one of the most charismatic and honest leaders of India'.
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) August 6, 2019
Singer Lata Mangeshkar also took to social media to praise her 'keen understanding of music and poetry'
Deeply shocked and saddened to hear about Sushma Swaraj ji’s sudden demise.
— Lata Mangeshkar (@mangeshkarlata) August 6, 2019
A graceful and honest leader, a sensitive and selfless soul, a keen understanding of music and poetry and a dear friend. Our former external minister will be remembered fondly.
Actor Randeep Hooda praised Swaraj as a 'tall leader and a doer' in his condolence message.
A tall leader and a doer #sushmaswaraj .. never met her but feel saddened by her passing away .. an end of a chapter where Indians across the world felt there is someone looking after them .. #RIPSushmaswaraj .. Om Shanti 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/5IQiRh6DOj
— Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) August 6, 2019
Karan Johar was among the many filmmakers who took to Twitter to express his condolences.
#RIPSushmaSwarajJi ...an amazing leader, orator and minister..... condolences to the family...🙏🙏🙏
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) August 6, 2019
Director Anurag Kashyap, who recently copped some flak for his statement on the decision about Article 370, also praised Swaraj, calling her an 'amazing parliamentarian'.
Rest in peace @SushmaSwaraj ji. You were the most amazing parliamentarian and the minister and always there for your constituents . I will miss you and am sure we all will miss you .
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) August 6, 2019
The praise for Swaraj came from across party lines, signifying the effect of her work in politics. Among those praising her was Swara Bhasker. While the actress has often been on the opposition for the ruling BJP party, she was profuse in her praise for the late Swaraj.
RIP #SushmaSwaraj ji. She epitomised dignity, commitment to democratic norms, grace in politics. A brilliant parliamentarian, a fine bilingual orator, a humane foreign minister- she was inspiring. I differed with her ideology, but greatly admired her resolve & work ethic. 🙏🏿🙏🏿
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) August 6, 2019
Parineeti Chopra, who hails from the same district as the late External affairs minister, also expressed her sadness at the news.
I hail from Ambala Cantt, same as Sushma Swaraj ji. Always felt proud that a woman from our small town made it big, and made a difference. Sushma ji rest in peace. You inspired me on a personal level. #RIPSushmaSwarajJi
— Parineeti Chopra (@ParineetiChopra) August 6, 2019
Like Anupam Kher, Hema Malini shared a picture of herself with her senior party leader.
Sushma Swaraj ji is no more.A big loss to our nation. Personally,she was always a good friend, philosopher & guide throughout my years in Parliament.Soft spoken yet firm, always empathetic to people’s problems, she was unique in many ways &endeared herself to the public always🙏 pic.twitter.com/fbB806MBeR
— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) August 7, 2019