Did You Know Ratan Tata and Mahabharat Actor Gufi Paintal Lived in the Same Hostel and Shared a Close Bond?
Let’s take a look back at the special connection between the legendary industrialist Ratan Tata and actor Gufi Paintal, who played Shakuni in the famous TV show Mahabharat.
Ratan Tata passed away on October 9, leaving the entire nation in grief. As people shared memories of him, a lesser-known fact came to light—Gufi Paintal and Ratan Tata shared a close bond and once lived in the same hostel.
In a YouTube video, Gufi Paintal had talked about their time together. He explained that he was studying engineering in Jamshedpur and lived in room number 22 of the hostel. At the same time, Ratan Tata had returned from the USA after completing his training and stayed in room number 21, right next door.
Paintal described Tata as a true gentleman and said he felt proud to have known him. They became close friends, and Ratan Tata often invited Gufi into his room for chats. Gufi also shared that Tata had a stunning silver convertible Plymouth with a radio, which was a rare luxury at the time.
One memorable moment Paintal recalled was when Ratan Tata handed him his car keys so Gufi could take his mother for a ride when she visited Jamshedpur. Tata quietly gave him the keys and said, “Take your mother out for a drive.”
Gufi also shared a chance meeting he had with Tata years later. While crossing Linking Road in Bandra, a car stopped near him, and inside were two large dogs. It was Ratan Tata, offering him a ride. Gufi politely declined, explaining he was just crossing the road.
Ratan Tata passed away at Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital after battling health issues. His funeral was attended by many, and his body was honored with the Indian national flag as people paid their last respects to this great visionary.
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