Ratan Tata, the former Tata Group chairperson who headed the empire famously known for its salt to software imprint on Indian lives, made just one foray into the entertainment industry. And it didn’t work.

‘Aetbaar’, co-produced by Tata Infomedia and Cutting Edge Entertainment Productions, tanked at the box office. Inspired by the 1996 Hollywood movie ‘Fear’, the psychological thriller starred Amitabh Bachchan, John Abraham and Bipasha Basu and was directed by Vikram Bhatt, a PTI report stated.

Yesterday as the country bid adieu to the industrialist and philanthropist who died at the age of 86 in a Mumbai hospital, the film’s team mourned his passing away.

“Just came to learn of the passing of Shri Ratan Tata .. was working very late… a most respected , humble yet visionary leader of immense foresight and great resolve .. Spent some wonderful moments with him, during several humanitarian Campaigns we were involved in together .. My prayers,” Bachchan wrote on his blog.

In a separate post on Instagram, the megastar hailed Tata for his “humility, his great resolve, his vision and his determination to accomplish the very best for the Nation”.

Abraham, who shares a love for dogs with Tata, remembered the business icon with warmth and affection.

“Had the honour of spending time with a man who inspired me and gave me to believe that making society a better place is my calling. He was kind to humans and animals alike…I hope some of us can follow in your shadow… I will.. Will miss you #RatanTata,” he wrote on X.

“Thank you sir for your contributions and always being so simple and full of empathy for all. World will miss you, rip #SirRatanTata. Om Shanti,” Basu posted on her Instagram Stories.

Actor Supriya Pilgaonkar, who played Bachchan’s wife in ‘Aetbaar’, also paid tribute to Tata on her Instagram Stories.

“Sir Ratan Tata The one who actually made the difference and will continue to do so through the teachings of life that he lived!!  Just realised I acted in a movie which was co-produced by the legendary Sir Ratan Tata, his only Bollywood venture! Happy to be a tiny part of anything that had your name attached sir,” she said.

Years before he produced ‘Aetbaar’, Tata was the first guest on actor-host Simi Garewal’s popular chat show ‘Rendezvous with Simi Garewal’ in 1997.

“I have always been fond of all types of music. I love jazz and classical. I have been watching TV a bit, of late. I watch films on TV. I have not been to the theatre in ages… My Hindi has improved ever since I watched Hindi films,” he said but couldn’t remember any names.

Tata, who was always understated and rarely called attention to himself, also said he finds Hindi films too violent for his taste.

In an old note, posted on Garewal’s official website, the host said Tata was her “first friend in Mumbai”.

“We had both just returned from abroad into terra incognita; both at the threshold of an uncharted world that lay ahead. Decades of triumphs later, Ratan’s intrinsic personality hadn’t changed: a man with a commanding presence yet a disarming diffidence.

“Still shy, still reticent, but ever articulate and gracious. At work he is a corporate visionary; away from the office – a recluse. In a distracted era of moral ambiguities, Ratan’s integrity and values have never wavered – and I admire that the most in him For a man who stays clear from the flash- bulb glare of fame, it was generous of Ratan to be my very first guest in ‘Rendezvous with Simi Garewal’,” she posted.

During the filming of the episode, Tata won “loads of admirers”, Garewal said.

“My crew was floored by his lack of pretence. I remember he shook hands with each of them before leaving in his Maruti!!” she said.

Meanwhile, another PTI report from New Delhi yesterday stated that Indian entertainment industry stalwarts were among many celebrities who paid their respects to Tata.

In a post on X, Salman said he was “deeply saddened” by Tata’s passing. “Goodbye to The Titan… Fly high like you loved… and oh how you taught us to love,” Kareena Kapoor Khan wrote alongside a picture of a younger Tata, who held licenses to fly both jets and helicopters, sitting in a fighter plane.

Ajay Devgn, who was one of the first film stars to pay condolence, said the world mourns the loss of a visionary.

“Ratan Tata’s legacy will forever inspire generations. His contributions to India and beyond are immeasurable. We are deeply grateful. Rest in peace, Sir,” he wrote on the microblogging site.

The final rites of the industrialist were performed as per the Parsi tradition with full state honours at a crematorium in Mumbai on Thursday evening.

Aamir and his ex-wife, filmmaker Kiran Rao, were among the celebrities who paid their last respects to Tata at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), where the industrialist’s mortal remains were kept.

Priyanka Chopra-Jonas said Tata touched the lives of millions through his kindness. “Your legacy of leadership and generosity will continue to inspire generations. Thank you for your unmatched passion and dedication for everything you did for our country. You have been an inspiration to us all and will be greatly missed, Sir. #RatanTata,” she said.

Alia Bhatt said Tata taught multiple generations “what it is to give”. Diljit, who is currently on the European leg of his ‘Dil-Luminati Tour’, paid homage to the entrepreneur at his concert in Dusseldorf, Germany.

“It was important to mention his name here because his life was all about hard work. I never read anywhere that he spoke ill of anyone. He did hard work and charity, and that’s what life is,” said the singer-actor, in a video posted by his team on Instagram.Legends are born, and they live forever, said Rajamouli. “It’s hard to imagine a day without using a TATA product… Ratan Tata’s legacy is woven into everyday life. If anyone will stand the test of time alongside the Panchabhootas, it’s him,” the filmmaker said.

Veteran actor and TMC MP Shatrughan Sinha called Tata a ‘Bharat Ratna’ in true sense.  Ranveer Singh shared a black-and-white photo of Tata with an infinity emoticon. For Kamal Haasan, he was a “personal hero”.