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Sonia Gandhi recalls Bachchan home as her ‘maayka’ before marriage

Published : Saturday, 14 November, 2026 at 6:07 PM

Observer Online Report

Collected Photo

Sonia Gandhi has recalled how Amitabh Bachchan’s family became her second home after she arrived in India in January 1968 to marry Rajiv Gandhi. In her memoir *Belonging – A Journey of Love*, she describes the warmth and support she received from the Bachchan family during her early years in the country.

Sonia stayed at the Bachchan family's Delhi residence, where Amitabh's mother, Teji Bachchan, welcomed her and became a mother figure. Poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan helped her learn Hindi and offered advice that she remembered for years.

The Bachchan home also hosted Sonia's mehendi and floral jewellery ceremonies before her wedding. Amitabh, who was working in Kolkata, returned to Delhi to attend the celebrations.

Sonia also recalled Teji's support after the premature death of her first child. To help her cope with the loss, Teji gifted her a puppy named Reshma.

The families' friendship extended into later years. Amitabh entered politics in 1984 at Rajiv's request following Indira Gandhi's assassination. He later resigned as an MP amid the Bofors controversy and was cleared of all charges in 2012.

After Rajiv's assassination in 1991, Amitabh visited Sonia and her children. However, Sonia's memoir does not detail how the relationship between the two families changed in later years.

-AH

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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