Atal Bihari Vajpayee death: SRK, Amitabh Bachchan, Lata Mangeshkar and other celebs pay homage

Former Indian prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had passed away on August 16 in New Delhi. The 93-year-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stalwart had been admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the capital since June 11, 2018. He passed away due to old age-related illnesses.

Tributes poured in on social media for one of India's greatest statesman. Bollywood celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Anil Kapoor, Lata Mangeshkar, Anushka Sharma, Ajay Devgn, John Abraham, Hrithik Roshan and many others offered condolences over Vajpayee's demise.

Shah Rukh Khan shared a very special note on Vajpayee and a video revealing how his father always took him to attend the speeches of Vajpayee, who was then fondly called 'Baapji'. "For The Poet Prime Minister of our country, love you Baapji..." Shah Rukh Khan said after posting a link to a video titled 'Kya Khoya Kya Paya'. 

With Vajpayee's death, SRK said that he had lost a part of his childhood. The former PM had a massive influence on his life as a child, the Bollywood superstar revealed. Here's the full message of Shah Rukh Khan on Atal Bihari Vajpayee:

"I had the opportunity to meet him and spend lots of time discussing poetry, films, politics and our ailing knees. I also had the privilege of enacting one of his poems for screen. He was fondly addressed as 'Baapji' at home. Today the country has lost a Father figure and a great leader. Personally I have lost a part of my childhood and growing up memories of learning smiling and of course poetry. I consider myself the luckiest to have had his influence on my life during my formative years. May his soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. Will miss your smiling face, Baapji," Shah Rukh Khan wrote on Twitter.

Here are some other Bollywood celebrities who condoled the death of Atal Bihari Vajpayee:

Amitabh Bachchan tweeted, "Atal Bihari Vajpai (1924 - 2018 ) भावपूर्ण श्रधांजलि ; एक महान नेता , प्रख्यात कवि , अद्भुत वक्ता व प्रवक्ता , मिलनसार व्यक्तित्व । बाबूजी के प्रशंसक , और बाबूजी उनके .. An admirer of my Father's works and vice versa ; gentle nature, strong fiery in his speeches".

Amitabh Bachchan also wrote on his blog, "He was an admirer of my father and his works and there were many an occasion when I would be present at their meetings.... His oratory powers were unmatched and the usage of words exemplary. They were filled with the power of pronunciation. The rendition of the word was enough to give it meaning... One did not need to understand the language, that was his brilliance. Some of his public speeches and ones done in the Houses of Parliament are testimony. A poet, a writer, a politician, a Prime Minister... an extremely rare human."

"Despite his prominence as a leader of eminence, Atalji never hesitated to meet up with my father... Particularly on one occasion when my father was admitted to AIIMS hospital in Delhi, Atalji visited him to ask after his condition. I was there. His compassion and concern was most gracious. It was Atalji who agreed to launch and honour the occasion when the 'stamp' was inaugurated in my father's name. It was in Lucknow," Bachchan wrote.

Hrithik Roshan wrote on Twitter, "Met Atalji a few times in my life. Each time was special. I remember him as an extremely kind hearted man. May his soul rest in peace. #RIPAtalBihariVaajpayee".

Anushka Sharma tweeted, "May #AtalBihariVajpayee ji's soul rest in peace. Heartfelt condolences to his family."

John Abraham said, "For me he was one of India's greatest leaders loved and respected by all. He will be missed. RIP."

Madhuri Dixit-Nene wrote: "My heartfelt condolences to the country, as we mourn the demise of our visionary leader, #AtalBihariVajpayee ji. May his soul rest in peace!"

Anil Kapoor wrote: "Today, our country lost a visionary leader & I lost one of my childhood idols...The passing of #AtalBihariVajpayeeji is even more saddening in light of all that he inspired & accomplished in his time with us. My deepest respect & condolences to his family..."

Raveena Tandon tweeted, "Leaving behind a legacy of greatness. My deepest condolences on the sad demise of Shri #AtalBihariVajpayee ji.. May his soul rest in peaceOmShanti."

Shilpa Shetty Kundra wrote: "Deeply saddened by the heartbreaking news of the demise of Shri #AtalBihariVajpayeeji .A great leader, poet and visionary .A huge loss to our country..Heartfelt condolences to the family...May his soul rest in peace ."

Ajay Devgn tweeted: "RIP Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji, the most respected leader."

Lata Mangeshkar was quoted as saying by IANS: "When I saw the glow on his face, his persuasive oratorical powers and his love for the arts, I was always reminded of my father (Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar). When I was a child many national leaders and politicians would visit my home. Vir Savarkar was one of them. Atalji reminded me of Vir Savarkar. He was a noble soul. No words of praise can do justice to him. Atalji was never short of words. But I am."

"He was very close to me, and I to him. When we Mangeshkars inaugurated a hospital in Pune in my name, I asked Atalji to do the inauguration. He happily agreed and gave a rousing speech -- as usual -- where he said he was in a dilemma as he thought naming a hospital after me was not right. There should be a music academy named after Lata Mangeshkar, not a hospital. Now what do I say? That people should fall sick so that this hospital named after my Beti would run?' His speeches were works of art. There is not one orator in Indian politics, or for that matter in India, to match Atalji," said Lata Mangeshkar.