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Amitabh Bachchan's mentor to be remembered

June 2, 2007 - 05:19 IST

A plat will be unveiled by Amitabh Bachchan in the name of the late director K A Abbas on June 7 in Mumbai. The initiative was taken by veteran writer Ali Peter John who was closely associated with Abbas. "The whole process to make the plat official took me one and a half years. After it was sanctioned, it normally takes about 15 days to set the plat up but when I told the authorities that Amitabh Bachchan will be coming, it was put up in a record three days," laughs the writer. The plat is being put up opposite Philomena apts. the building where Abbas used to reside and have his office as well.

"Amitabh began his career from the very spot where the plat is being set up", said John. If we recall Amitabh Bachchan made his acting debut in Saat Hindustani which was directed by Abbas in 1969.

"Abbas was a wonderful man. Raj Kapoor trembled in front of him and called him the pillar of his empire. These are the great people who respected him. Alas, that did not come from his family. After he passed away his rogue nephew sold whatever he had including his priceless collection of books and his National Award in Chor Bazaar and ran away to Pakistan", said John sadly.

Members of the Kapoor family are expected to attend the unveiling along with members of the IPTA (Indian People's Theatre Association) of which Abbas was the founder.