On internationally-acclaimed painter M F Husain’s 106th birth anniversary yesterday, Amrita Rao revisited a special memory of the artist that is close to her heart. The duo shared a special bond. Husain considered Amrita his muse and even painted her live, inspired by her role as Poonam in Vivah (2006), which also featured Shahid Kapoor.

On his birth anniversary, Amrita revealed that she received a gift from the painter that she considers her prized possession. “Husain sahab had invited my mother and me to Dubai as his guests as he wanted to paint me live. On the last day of our visit, he confessed to my mom that he was initially hesitant to meet me in person, as he was apprehensive that if the ‘real’ Amrita is not true to her on-screen persona in Vivah, then he would be disillusioned. However, on the last day, he told me, ‘You have surpassed my expectations. You are far more beautiful as a person in real life than I expected.’ Then, he presented me with his signature brush. He said, ‘Remember, only three people in the world own it.’ And then he started walking away briskly. We had to catch pace with him, nevertheless, he was far ahead of our times,” says Amrita.

The entire episode left the actress teary-eyed. She shares, “I recall the first time I met Husain sahab, he had come to receive us at the Dubai airport. I noticed him walking barefoot holding a long black paintbrush, which he used as his walking stick. I thought it was such a unique style statement. On the last day, when he gave me that brush as a parting gift along with such a lovely compliment, I was so moved that I had tears in my eyes.”

A big fan of his artwork, Amrita is planning to create a corner dedicated to M F Husain in her house where she can put the paintbrush on display. “Along with the brush and his paintings, I shall also frame his handwritten letters in memory of my most colourful brush with the maestro,” she says.

Amrita confesses to being a bigger fan of Husain as a person than his paintings. “I am a bigger fan of him as the person I know more than his marvellous paintings. There was a happy, excited child in Husain sahab, which he never let go of. His passion for art and cinema continues to inspire me,” she signs off.