Amitabh Bachchan remembers the legendary Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi

Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan's father, the legendary Indian cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi passed away on Thursday after battling a severe lung infection. He was one of the best skipper that the Indian cricket team ever had. Sr Pataudi's connection with Bollywood comes from the fact that his wife was one of the leading actresses of yesteryears apart from his children Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan who are very much a part of the industry.

Amitabh Bachchan, who has worked with Sr Pataudi's wife Sharmila Tagore or Rinku Di as he fondly calls her, was extremely close to Sr Pataudi. Amitabh Bachchan had spent several pleasant evenings with him and they were common friends until the late hours of the night.

Amitabh Bachchan, speaking about Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi posted in his twitter account, “Gave Indian Cricket a 'rockstar' image, with grace and dignity ..soft spoken, quiet straight faced humor and a 'tiger' on the pitch !

Remembering Pataudi, Big B, on his blog on bigadda said, “Many an impromptu 'gully cricket" had been played with him inside the narrow and make shift spaces of a Cooperative Society. His quiet but delightful sense of humor gave the evenings a different touch. He was a brave and courageous leader, aggressive and determined to win for his team and country. He was a 'deadly" combination of the elegance of his royal blood and the dynamism that he projected on the game that was almost the religion of the country."

Amitabh Bachchan fondly remembers the informal reception at Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi's Delhi residence that he along with wife Jaya Bachchan had attended, after his (Pataudi's) marriage with Sharmila Tagore.

Amitabh Bachchan, in the blog also revealed Sr Pataudi's inclination to Indian Classical music. Big B posted, “He was an admirer of the Indian Classical music and was a trained tabla exponent. Impromptu music evenings at common friends are proof.

Rinku Di and I have worked together in several films together. In fact Jaya"s first film in Bengali was with her. Today as she bears the loss of her husband we send our heartfelt condolences to her and the family - Saif, Soha and Saba .. Our prayers are with you .. and may the Almighty give you strength in this hour of grief."
Oneindia salutes the legend and offers heartfelt condolences to Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi's family.