<p>The diva, who had spoken to Husain over a month ago, says he would become sad about not being able to return to India. Trying to contain her emotions, Madhuri remembers her final conversation with Husain.<br /><br />“The last time I spoke to him was more than a month back. He was so excited about that project on 100 Years Of Cinema. He would always be filled with excitement and never get tired of his work. I think his work was his stress-buster. Most of us need a break from our work, no matter how much we love it. Not Husain Saab.” Husain died in London on Thursday at age 95.<br /><br />Speaking from Denver, Madhuri said: “As usual he was very excited about this latest brainchild. His zest for life and his ideas always made me feel older than him.”<br /><br />Taking a deep breath, Madhuri sighs: “It's very difficult to believe Husain Saab is gone. It's like losing someone very near to you. If as you say I was some part of his huge legacy then I am very very proud of being part of what Husain Saab created. He is certainly someone who made a difference to my life.” <br /><br />Diplomatically evading the issue of Husain's enforced exile away from India, Madhuri finally burst out: "Whenever we spoke he was so charged. He would get sad only when he talked about not being home in India. Husain Saab was one of the more liberal people I knew. He believed in all religions and he experienced life to the fullest. Yes, I'll miss him."<br /><br />In Madhuri's home in the US, M.F. Husian is a household name. “Even my children know about him. When I told my son Husain Saab is no more he was like, 'Aw Mom, is he really gone?'<br /><br />Madhuri remembers the bare-feet bare-soled artist's illimitable energy. “Husain Saab called himself a nomad. And he was a really restless soul. I remember when we were shooting 'Gaja Gamini' he'd often disappear from the sets. We'd be like, 'Where is Husain Saab?' He'd be all over the place with his ideas.”<br /><br />Madhuri admits the movie that Husain made was a brain-teaser. “In 'Gaja Gamini' I knew I was not doing a regular normal run-of-the-mill film. He wanted it to be such a cinema where one could take any frame and treat it like an individual painting. It was a tough role. Husain Saab wanted me to portray facets of womanhood with all my mystique and charm. I don't know if I succeeded in putting across even a part of his ideas.”<br /><br />Most of all Madhuri remembers the 90-plus icon's gusto for existence. “He was restless and fidgety. Always on the move. I was tempted to tell him, 'Husain Saab, slow down, so I can catch up with you.' My association started with him when he saw me in 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun'. He saw it umpteenth times. I guess he liked my screen presence. I learnt a lot from my interaction with him.”</p>
<p>The diva, who had spoken to Husain over a month ago, says he would become sad about not being able to return to India. Trying to contain her emotions, Madhuri remembers her final conversation with Husain.<br /><br />“The last time I spoke to him was more than a month back. He was so excited about that project on 100 Years Of Cinema. He would always be filled with excitement and never get tired of his work. I think his work was his stress-buster. Most of us need a break from our work, no matter how much we love it. Not Husain Saab.” Husain died in London on Thursday at age 95.<br /><br />Speaking from Denver, Madhuri said: “As usual he was very excited about this latest brainchild. His zest for life and his ideas always made me feel older than him.”<br /><br />Taking a deep breath, Madhuri sighs: “It's very difficult to believe Husain Saab is gone. It's like losing someone very near to you. If as you say I was some part of his huge legacy then I am very very proud of being part of what Husain Saab created. He is certainly someone who made a difference to my life.” <br /><br />Diplomatically evading the issue of Husain's enforced exile away from India, Madhuri finally burst out: "Whenever we spoke he was so charged. He would get sad only when he talked about not being home in India. Husain Saab was one of the more liberal people I knew. He believed in all religions and he experienced life to the fullest. Yes, I'll miss him."<br /><br />In Madhuri's home in the US, M.F. Husian is a household name. “Even my children know about him. When I told my son Husain Saab is no more he was like, 'Aw Mom, is he really gone?'<br /><br />Madhuri remembers the bare-feet bare-soled artist's illimitable energy. “Husain Saab called himself a nomad. And he was a really restless soul. I remember when we were shooting 'Gaja Gamini' he'd often disappear from the sets. We'd be like, 'Where is Husain Saab?' He'd be all over the place with his ideas.”<br /><br />Madhuri admits the movie that Husain made was a brain-teaser. “In 'Gaja Gamini' I knew I was not doing a regular normal run-of-the-mill film. He wanted it to be such a cinema where one could take any frame and treat it like an individual painting. It was a tough role. Husain Saab wanted me to portray facets of womanhood with all my mystique and charm. I don't know if I succeeded in putting across even a part of his ideas.”<br /><br />Most of all Madhuri remembers the 90-plus icon's gusto for existence. “He was restless and fidgety. Always on the move. I was tempted to tell him, 'Husain Saab, slow down, so I can catch up with you.' My association started with him when he saw me in 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun'. He saw it umpteenth times. I guess he liked my screen presence. I learnt a lot from my interaction with him.”</p>