'Balasaheb has always been a pillar of strength'

Zeenews Bureau

Mumbai: The Mumbai film industry came to a standstill as the news of Bal Thackeray’s ill health spread in the city. While work was put on hold and shootings and events were postponed, stars queued up at Matoshree to meet the ailing leader. Speaking to a daily, an emotional Sanjay Dutt said, “Balasaheb is a father figure to me. He is a great man. He stood by me at a time when no one else came forward to support me. I`m extremely close to him and members of his family and when I heard he was critical, I rushed there. It broke my heart to see him in a critical condition. To me, Balasaheb has always been a pillar of strength and I just wanted to be with the family. I want them to know that I will always be there with them in whatever small capacity I can." Stars like Amitabh Bachchan with son Abhishek and Salman Khan were spotted at Matoshree on Wednesday night. Amitabh and Abhishek were injured in the melee outside the Sena chief`s home. Big B tweeted, "Yes both Abhishek and me were injured with cuts, but are fine and back home... the doctors at Matoshree attended on us!" "When I fought for my life after Coolie accident, he came to visit me in hospital, with a cartoon he had drawn — Yamraj defeated !" added the senior Bachchan. Lata Mangeshkar, who is known to have a close association with the Thackeray family, was extremely distraught to hear about Bal Thackeray’s deteriorating health. Postponing her function, the singer said, “I am extremely disturbed at the critical health of Shri Balasaaheb. I am postponing the function of my music company. My prayers are with him and the Thackeray family.”