For almost six decades, since he started his career in Hindi films in the late 1960s, Amitabh Bachchan he has worked with many actors of different generations, forming strong on-screen relationships with several of them, one being the late actor Mukri. The two have shared screen space in films like ‘Laawaris’, ‘Sharaabi’, and ‘Coolie’, among others. However, when Mukri died in 2000, Amitabh is Jaya Bachchan he was not present at his funeral. Recalling that time in a recent interview, Mukri’s daughter Naseem Mukri revealed that Rishi Kapoor he appeared at 7am and was “crying like a baby” when he heard the news of Mukri’s death.
Amitabh Bachchan “never visited” after Mukri’s death, says daughter
In an interview with Vickey Lalwani on his YouTube channel, Naseem was asked if Amitabh continued his friendship with Mukri’s family after his death, and he replied that he did not. He also said that he never came back to his house after Mukri’s death. He remembered that Amitabh was still in trouble, when he lived with Mehmood and his younger brother Anwar, Amitabh used to come back sometimes, but things changed over time. “Filmo ki dosti aisi hi hoti hai (That’s how friendship is in films),” he said, adding, “As long as you are a successful jodi, be it heroine, comedian or villain or whoever, as long as you make the film a hit, till then, friendship is great, but after that, if you are not working, then who is?”
Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan also skipped the funeral
Naseem was also asked if Bachchan attended the funeral, to which he simply replied, “No.” He also said that Mukri has also bonded closely with Jaya Bachchan, having worked with her in her previous films, Piya Ka Ghar. “Jaya Bachchan was great friends with my father because of Piya Ka Ghar. Back then, during the outdoor shoots in the villages, they all used to stay together. But he didn’t come either. I didn’t even call. We didn’t realize who all came,” he said.
Rishi Kapoor rushed to pay his respects
But Rishi Kapoor came to know about Mukri’s death through a TV news broadcast at 2 am, and by 7 am he had already arrived to pay his respects. “Rishi Kapoor came at 7 am. He saw it at 2 am on TV. It was broadcast immediately. At 7 am, the doorbell rang, we opened the door and he was there and he was crying like a child. Because my father worked a lot with Rishi,” he shared.
Rishi Kapoor and Mukri’s on screen legacy
Rishi and Mukri have worked together in several films, including ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’, in which Mukri portrayed Neetu Kapoor’s father. “The song ‘Tayyab Ali’ worked because of Rishi and Mukri,” he said.
Mukri’s death is his legacy
Mukri died in 2000 of a heart attack in Mumbai, at the age of 78. He was widely known for his comedy roles in films like ‘Mother India’ and ‘Bombay to Goa’, among others.