Amitabh saddened at Vijay Tendulkar's death

Mumbai, May 20 (IANS) Vijay Tendulkar was a person who took a committed stand and stood by it, says Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, expressing his admiration for the eminent playwright who died Monday.

'Vijay Tendulkarji was a strong and fearless writer and a great mind. I am deeply saddened to hear the news of his passing away,' Amitabh told IANS from London, where he is with the entire family after attending the Cannes film festival.

'I never had the opportunity of spending any quality time with him, but I did meet him during common social events. Barring the exchange of courtesies and acknowledging each others' creative contribution, such moments were rushed and hurried. But one read a lot about him in the media and through his interviews.'

Amitabh was full of admiration for the man who re-wrote many rules of stage-writing. 'In today's world it is difficult and tough to take a committed stand and pursue it. Vijay Tendulkarji did. And that was his strength. At times this stand is the solitary voice of reason often misunderstood but seldom wrong.'

There was regret for not having known Tendulkar more closely. 'The greatness about words and writers is that much after they are gone their thoughts remain with us. In fact the sad irony of life is that in most cases, it is only when they are gone do we realise their potential and their great contribution.'

Coincidentally Tendulkar died of myasthenia gravis, a disease that has also afflicted the Big B.

'In my case it is thankfully in remission. But it can return any moment,' he ends ominously before returning to the family for the rest of the holiday.