Teji Bachchan cremated

Mumbai: Amid chanting of Vedic hymns, Teji Bachchan, wife of the late Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and mother of Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan, was consigned to flames yesterday at the Juhu Ruia Park Crematorium in Mumbai.

Teji, who passed away around 1.15pm on Friday, was admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in suburban Bandra in January for multiple age-related health problems.

The funeral procession started from the Bachchans' bungalow Pratiksha. The pallbearers included Amitabh, brother Ajitabh, Abhishek, son-in-law Nikhil Nanda and other family members.

Others in the procession included Reliance's Anil Ambani, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh and Sahara Group head Subroto Roy.

Amitabh Bachchan lit the funeral pyre around 10am.

Well-wishers, including Bollywood stalwarts Yash Chopra, Prasoon Joshi and Mac Mohan, paid homage to Teji at the crematorium. They also offered condolences to the bereaved family members, including Jaya, daughter Shweta and daughter-in-law Aishwarya.

Tight security was maintained at the venue and on the route to the crematorium, mainly to keep away hordes of fans who had lined up since early morning to catch a glimpse of the stars.

The Bachchan family had earlier planned the last rites at Chandanwadi crematorium, about 20km from the Bachchans' old bungalow Pratiksha, but later decided on the nearby Juhu crematorium.