Yaarana filmmaker Rakesh Kumar passes away, Amitabh Bachchan says hesitant to go to his funeral

Veteran filmmaker, writer, and producer Rakesh Kumar breathed his last on November 10 after battling with cancer for a long time. Yaarana director died at the age of 81 in Mumbai. The director is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

Rakesh Kumar was known for directing superhit films like Mr Natwarlal, Khoon Pasina, Do Aur Do Paanch, and Yaarana, all starring superstar Amitabh Bachchan. Following his demise, the Sooryavanshi actor penned down an emotional note for the late director.

Talking about their camaraderie, Big B wrote, But morose is the day… for another colleague has left us and him in particular… Rakesh Sharma, first AD to Prakash Mehra on ZANJEER, then independent director for other PM (Prakash Mehra, as we often joked with him, as the PM of the country) films… and singularly – Hera Pheri, Khoon Pasina, Mr Natwarlal, Yaarana , et al… and such great camaraderie on sets and elsewhere, socially, during events and Holi.

He continued that people like Rakesh leave an imprint that is hard to remove or forget. His sense of screenplay and direction, writing and execution on the spur of the moment and the fun times on location during Nattu and Yaarana, his complete faith in his worth… and the ease with which he would grant us the liberty of skipping shootings on an odd day, just to be able to spend time relaxing fooling around and being in the company of uncontrollable laughter and gaiety, he added.

While concluding the blog, Amitabh also said that he would be hesitant to go to Rakesh’s funeral. He wrote, A most affable and kind-hearted human, ready to step up to any kind of inconvenience that artists that worked with him faced! He said, No, he will hesitate to go to his funeral because he will not be able to bear the sight of an inert Rakesh! He continued by saying that Rakesh made many of us [celebrities] prominent with his innovative ideas for story and film, Rakesh, you shall ever be remembered, he added.

Rakesh Kumar’s prayer meet will be held today, November 13, in Andheri West, Mumbai. Rakesh’s family confirmed the news of his demise on social media. The note read, In loving memory of Rakesh Kumar, October 18, 1941–November 10, 2022, Please join us for a prayer meeting on Sunday, November 13, at Banquet, The Celebration Sports Club, Garden No.5, Lokhandwala, Andheri (W). Time: 4 pm – 5 pm. With Gratitude, Usha Sharma & Lakshay Kumar, Neha & Karan Sharma.