In her newly published memoir, Belonging — A Journey of Love, Sonia Gandhi offers a rare window into the playful, early friendship between her late husband Rajiv Gandhi and Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan
long before either entered public life. Among the book’s warmest personal anecdotes is a prank Rajiv pulled on an unsuspecting Bachchan at an airport.
The narrative sheds light on the close bond shared between the Gandhi and Bachchan families during their young adult years, showcasing a humorous, light-hearted side of Rajiv that the public rarely saw.
The Airport Reception: Marigold Garlands and a Broken-Down Band
Sonia recalls a time when Amitabh Bachchan, then a young aspiring actor trying to break into Indian cinema, was returning to New Delhi. Rajiv decided to give his close friend an unforgettable homecoming, orchestrating a grandly absurd welcome party at the airport terminal.
Rajiv recruited a local brass band whose instruments were clearly past their prime and gathered massive, heavy marigold garlands. When Bachchan stepped out of the arrivals gate, he was greeted not by a dignified delegation but by Rajiv and a troupe playing out-of-tune music loudly while showering him in an overwhelming mountain of flowers.
A Friendship Rooted in Early Delhi Days
The prank highlighted the deep comfort and banter between the two young men. Before Bachchan achieved megastardom in Indian cinema and Rajiv entered national politics, their families shared a close domestic relationship in New Delhi.
Sonia writes fondly about her early days in India, recalling how poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and his wife Teji Bachchan welcomed her like family, acting as guiding parental figures while she adjusted to her new life. That warmth extended naturally to Rajiv and Amitabh, who shared an easygoing camaraderie filled with practical jokes and mutual support.
Rare Glimpses of Private Warmth
While political history often focuses on the heavy public duties that later weighed on both families, Sonia’s recollection brings forward the youthful joy and innocence of that era. The memoir captures a forgotten chapter of personal warmth, reminding readers of a time when two of India’s most prominent figures were simply young friends pulling airport pranks on each other.
