Prayers, Subdued Sombre Holi For The Bachchans

Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have set aside all their professional commitments to be by her ailing father’s side.

Aishwarya’s gentle and kind father Krishnaraj Rai who had fallen terminally ill in 2008 had been nursed back to health with his daughter and son-in-law on constant vigil.He has now had a serious relapse.

When Krishnaraj Rai was healing Aishwarya had said to me, “My father is such a strong man. And so is my mother. They’re both going through his illness and recuperation together. My father is the strongest man I know. He’s my source of inspiration. My dad’s faith in the power of healing is so strong. I feel his strength and also the love of all those who feel genuine concern for him. He has gone through his second cycle of chemotherapy and now he’s going through his third. It’s not easy for us.My parents are made of incredible substance. When I was toying with the idea of backing out of a professional commitment they put their foot down. My dad said, ‘No way. Life goes on.There’s no way I’ll let you step back now.’ He is fighter”.

This time the struggle to get her father back on his feet is much harder.

Says a close family friend, “Aishwarya and Abhishek are constantly at Krishnrajji’s bedside. We are all hoping for a miracle.”

All Holi festivities at the Bachchans’ stand cancelled this year.

Incidentally Priyanka Chopra who lost her father  to cancer has shown a deep and genuine concern about Aishwarya’s father’s health ever since he fell ill, although the two actresses are not the best of friends.

Death and illness are the greatest levellers.