Not Simi Garewal but this Mahabharat actor was a close friend of Ratan Tata
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The Tata Group's legendary business tycoon Ratan Tata left many Indians reeling with shock and grief as he passed away on October 9 night. From his close friends, coworkers, and Bollywood celebrities to the general public, Ratan Tata’s demise felt like a personal loss to many. He passed away at the age of 86 after making an indelible mark with his philosophy and deeds. Though Ratan Tata never married, his anecdotes on ‘one true love’ and friendship are something to cherish. While many are aware of his friendship with actress and host Simi Grewal, only a handful know that the business magnet also shared a close bond with Mahabharat’s Shakuni mama fame Gufi Paintal.
Gufi Paintal and Ratan Tata’s friendship
Gufi Paintal, who passed away last year in 2023, had a special bond with businessman Ratan Tata. After the sad demise of the business stalwart on Wednesday late evening, the world is reminiscing about his celebrated career and humble personality. Among such heartwarming bonds and relations is the close friendship between Ratan Tata and actor Gufi Paintal. The latter is renowned for playing the negative character of Shakuni Mama in the epic 1988 television series Mahabharat. The duo shared a close bond, and several anecdotes about the same were shared by Gufi in one of the YouTube videos.
When Ratan Tata and Gufi Paintal went on a picnic
In one such video, Paintal reminisced about his time with a young Ratan during the late 1960s when he was studying engineering in Jamshedpur. He also shared that the duo lived in the same hostel and how he had been a gentleman since then, making him proud as an Indian and a friend. Recalling the memorable times, Paintal shared, "At that time, Ratan Tata had just returned from his training in the United States and was a few years older than me. He used to stay in Room No. 21 and was a very thorough gentleman. Coming from such a respected family, he is now the chief of Tata Group of Companies, and I feel proud as an Indian and a friend."
The Mahabharat actor also cherished the moments of their special bond, including some unforgettable picnic outings and discussions in his hostel room.
"He used to take us on picnics in his car, and we shared a close friendship. I was the only student he invited to his room for discussions. In the early 1960s, he had a beautiful silver convertible Plymouth, and it was remarkable to see a high-fidelity radio in a car back then. We would listen to English and Hindi songs, and sometimes there would be Binaka Geetmala,” he added in the same video.
Gufi’s chance encounter with the late business mogul in Mumbai also reflects on their special bond. The incident narrates how Ratan Tata offered a car ride to Gufi when he saw him waiting at Linking Road in Bandra. But the latter declined the ride, saying that he was just crossing the road and his car was parked across it. "No, Ratan, thank you so much. I'm crossing the road; my car is on the other side. It was a brief encounter, but it left a lasting impression on me,” Paintal added.
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