Abhishek Bachchan Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Late Makeup Artist

Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan shared an emotional tribute to his personal makeup artist, Ashok Sawant, who passed away on November 9. Fondly called “Ashok dada” by the actor, Sawant had been a part of Abhishek’s professional life for over 27 years.

A Bond That Spanned Decades

Abhishek Bachchan’s working relationship with Ashok Sawant began with his debut film, Refugee. Over the years, Ashok became more than just a makeup artist; he was considered a part of Abhishek’s extended family. Abhishek highlighted the unique legacy of Sawant’s family in Bollywood, noting that Ashok’s elder brother, Deepak Sawant, has been the makeup artist for Amitabh Bachchan for nearly 50 years.

Sharing his memories on Instagram, Abhishek wrote about Ashok’s gentle nature, describing him as “the most loving, gentle, and affable person” with a constant smile and warm presence. Even during the last few years when Ashok was ailing, he remained committed to ensuring Abhishek’s appearance on set was impeccable.

Emotional Tributes and Memories

Abhishek recalled, “Last night we lost him. He was the first person whose feet I would touch and take blessings from whenever I gave my first shot of a new film. From now on, I will have to look up to the heavens and know that you'll be looking down and blessing me.”

He went on to express gratitude for Ashok’s dedication, care, and talent, adding, “Thank you, dada, for your love, your care, your dignity, your talent, and for your smile. It's heartbreaking to even think of going to work and knowing that you won't be with me. I pray you are at peace, and I look forward to the bear hug when we meet again.”

Accompanying his post, Abhishek shared two images of Ashok Sawant: one from his recent work on the film Kaalidhar and another from his younger days, reflecting the long journey they shared together.

Industry Reactions

The news of Ashok Sawant’s passing was met with condolences from multiple Bollywood personalities. Veteran actor Jackie Shroff expressed, “Om Shanti. Such a gentle soul. He was my condolences.” Boman Irani also paid tribute, describing Ashok as “always warm and protective” and sharing that he will be greatly missed.

Other celebrities, including Ranveer Singh, Remo D’Souza, Tara Sharma, and Navya Nanda, joined the outpouring of grief, highlighting the deep respect and affection Ashok commanded within the film industry.

Abhishek Bachchan’s Upcoming Projects

Abhishek Bachchan was last seen in the Zee5 film Kaalidhar Laapata. He is set to appear next in Siddharth Anand’s King, starring alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Suhana Khan. His loss of a trusted collaborator comes at a poignant time, as he continues to navigate key projects in his career.