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By Subhash K Jha After attending the Cannes film festival the Big B is now in London with the entire family which includes his two grandchildren Nayva Naveli and Agastya who have joined their grandparents for a rare holiday. The Big is shocked to hear of eminent Marathi playwright Vijay Tendulkar's demise. "Vijay Tendulkarji was a strong and fearless writer and a great mind. I am deeply saddened to hear the news of his passing away," the Big B pauses his family holiday to comment. "I never had the opportunity of spending any quality time with him, but on occasion I did meet him during common social events. Barring the exchange of courtesies and acknowledging each others creative contribution, such moments were rushed and hurried. But one read a lot about him in the media and through his interviews." He's full of admiration for the man who re-wrote many rules of stagew-writing. " In today's world it is difficult and tough to take a committed stand and pursue it. Vijay Tendulkar ji did. And that was his strength. At times this stand is the solitary voice of reason often misunderstood but seldom wrong." There's regret for not having known Tendulkat more closely. " The greatness about words and writers is that much after they are gone their thoughts remain with us. In fact the sad irony of life is that in most cases, it is only when they are gone do we realise their potential and their great contribution." Coincidentally Tendulkar died of myasthenia gravis,a diseases that has also afflicted the Big B. "In my case it is thankfully in remission. But can return any moment," he ends ominously before returning to the family for the rest of the holiday.