‘A gentleman to the core’: Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Hema Malini, Anupam Kher pay respects to Goa CM Manohar Parrikar

President Ram Nath Kovind shared the news of the passing of Goa Chief Minister and former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar due to prolonged illness on Sunday. Tributes started pouring in for the veteran BJP leader from celebrities of all fields, including from film stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar and Hema Malini. 

READ: "True Patriot And Unparalleled Leader": PM Narendra Modi's Heartfelt Tribute To Goa CM Manohar Parrikar After His Demise

Big B called Parrikar a ‘gentleman to the core’, ‘simple in demeanour and well respected’ and ‘very dignified’ in his interaction with him and added that he had ‘fought his illness bravely’ while extending his prayers and condolences. 

Actor-Member of Parliament Hema Malini termed him as 'extremely popular, conscientious, efficient CM of Goa’ and added that ‘he will be mourned by all, way beyond party lines because of his 'charisma & appeal.’  

Akshay Kumar called the CM as a ‘sincere and good soul’. 

Anupam Kher described him as ‘one of the most real, dignified, intelligent, warm, down-to-earth & honest person’ and praised him for his ‘great quality of inspiring people so effortlessly. 

Shatrughan Sinha termed the as 'most admired across all party lines', 'an amazing example of living life with simplicity, dedication & dignity' and added that the 'Nation has lost an honest & selfless leader.'

READ: 'One Of Our Finest Leaders': Kamal Haasan, Sanjay Dutt, Vivek Oberoi, Others Mourn Loss Of Goa CM Manohar Parrikar

Several other celebrities also tweeted to express their grief. 

Parrikar was suffering from a serious pancreatic ailment. He was at his private residence at Dona Paula in Goa during his last hours. 

One of the senior most and respectable leaders in the political arena, Parrikar was an alumnus of IIT Bombay before he stepped foot into politics. He was first elected into Goa Assembly in 1984.

He first became the CM of Goa in 2000 and was in the post for two years. 

In the elections which followed in 2002, he was re-elected, but had to step down in 2005 after his government lost the majority. 

Manohar Parrikar then began his third term as Goa CM in 2012 after his party won the state elections. He held the post for two years, before stepping down to take over as the Defence Minister from Arun Jaitley, who took over as the Finance Minister.

During his time as the Minister of Defence, Parrikar was credited with improving the sector through his diligent decision-making ability. He ceded his position to become the Goa CM again after BJP formed a coalition government in the state following elections in 2017. 

The Centre has announced national mourning on March 18, following the demise of Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. A state funeral will be accorded to the late former Defence Minister.