A rare social media post by Simi Garewal

Veteran actress Simi Garewal - a rare sight in public - took to social media on Thursday morning to share an emotionally charged tribute. The actress poured out a message of condolence after the death of her close friend and former partner industrialist Ratan Tata, who breathed his last on Wednesday night in Mumbai. Unlike the tributes flooding in from Bollywood, Simi's message stood out for its personal connection to the legendary businessman.

Simi Garewal's Relationship with Ratan Tata

Though Simi Garewal and Ratan Tata were once lovers, that was long ago, and they remained close friends decades afterwards. In an X (formerly Twitter) tribute, Simi posted a collage of pictures of Ratan Tata from her iconic chat show Rendezvous with Simi Garewal. She wrote along with the photographs: "They say you have gone. It's too hard to bear your loss. too hard. Farewell, my friend. #RatanTata.

Simi speaks about her time with Ratan Tata in a 2011 interview with Times of India, describing him as a "perfect gentleman" with a great sense of humour. She liked his humility; she says, money was never his driving force.

Simi Garewal: A Legacy in Cinema and Television.

Born into an army officer in Ludhiana, Simi Garewal's cine career began in 1962 with her English film debut. She subsequently became a giant film star in Bollywood by acting in Do Badan, Mera Naam Joker, Aranyer Din Ratri, Siddhartha, and Karz. That the new generation of viewers caught up with her when she hosted her own popular talk show, Rendezvous with Simi Garewal during the '90s and early 2000s.

The passing away of Ratan Tata

The erstwhile chairman of the Tata Group, Ratan Tata, died last night at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. He had been on life support for days before the end came. A Padma Vibhushan recipient, Ratan Tata had helmed the Tata Group for more than two decades and left behind an indelible mark both in Indian industry and philanthropy.