Vijayta Pandit: Aadesh was our hero

The shock of losing her husband, music composer Aadesh Shrivastava, is yet to sink in for Vijayta Pandit.

Surrounded by supportive friends and family, the yesteryear actress recounts fond memories of her husband and tells Subhash K Jha just how she is bracing up to piece her life back together:

This was no way to go. Aadesh was filled with energy and laughter.

He inspired all of us. Our sons (Anivesh and Avitesh) worshipped their dad.

Anivesh was with his father in the hospital constantly and could bring himself to terms with the enormity of the loss.

But the younger son -- Avitesh -- couldn’t take it. He fainted when he learned that his father was no more. 

Until the disease struck him, Aadesh was the most spirited person I knew. He worked on his own terms and never went out looking for work.

He fought the cancer when it first struck and overcame it. He put up a brave fight even during the relapse but he lost. He was in so much pain. I couldn’t bear to see him like that.

He wanted to see his sons on the screen. The elder one is a talented musician. He composes songs in English.

Aadesh and I took him to the US to release his first single. Unfortunately that couldn’t happen. Now it’s up to me to make sure Aadesh’s dream for his sons are fulfilled.

I now realise just how much Aadesh was liked.

Everyone has been wonderful. My brother Lalit (Pandit) and his wife Meena were constantly at Aadesh’s bedside.

My friends Poonam Dhillon, Ayesha Jhulka, Alka Yagnik and Sunidhi Chauhan have been a pillar of strength.

(Singer and BJP leader) Baabul Supriyo flew in from Kolkata to be here when he heard the news. Suchitra Krishmamurthy, Sonu Nigam, Shaan have also been very supportive.

(Filmmaker) Shekhar Kapoor and Aadesh were very good friends.

In his last days, Aadesh wouldn’t eat from anybody’s hands except Shekhar's.

Shekhar would come over to feed him every night.

Bachchansaab, who was very close to Aadesh, couldn’t bear to see him in that condition.

He couldn’t bring himself to come to the hospital either but he was constantly on the phone with me and the doctors.

Everyone has been so wonderful. I am overwhelmed. But the shock of losing Aadesh has not fully sunk in. He was in so much pain.

When I think of him as healthy and handsome, I miss him so much.

I know I have to be strong for my sons’ sake. But the tears just don’t stop.

He wanted to see our firstborn up there on the screen but he couldn’t in his lifetime.

I hope he knew he was our hero. 

Image: Vijayta Pandit and Aadesh Shrivastava. Photograph: Pradeep Bandekar