Sonia Gandhi's new book recalls Bachchan family ties, Amitabh at airport on her first India arrival

The friendship of Amitabh Bachchan and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is still widely talked about. Some special memories of that friendship have now surfaced in Sonia Gandhi's new book, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', in which she narrates several interesting episodes from the two men's old camaraderie.

Sonia Gandhi had decided to trust her love and leave Italy for India. She reached India for the first time on January 13, 1968. Rajiv Gandhi and Sanjay Gandhi were at the airport to receive her, and Amitabh Bachchan had come along with them.

During this first visit to India, Sonia Gandhi stayed with Amitabh Bachchan's parents, Teji Bachchan and Harivansh Rai Bachchan. In the book she remembers Teji Bachchan in particular. According to Sonia Gandhi, Teji Bachchan helped her understand Indian culture and customs and was always ready to assist her. Harivansh Rai Bachchan, too, guided her from time to time. For this reason, Sonia Gandhi developed a close bond with the Bachchan family.

The book also has another amusing story about Rajiv Gandhi and Amitabh Bachchan's friendship. It dates from the time when Amitabh Bachchan was struggling to make a name for himself in films. Even then the two were friends, and their families were close to each other.

One day during those years of struggle, Amitabh Bachchan was returning to Delhi. Rajiv Gandhi went to receive him, but he was determined to play a prank on Amitabh. He came to welcome him with a full band and brought piles of flower garlands. The funniest part of the welcome was that the band he had brought was deliberately playing out of tune. Rajiv Gandhi had played this special prank to tease Amitabh Bachchan.

These anecdotes told by Sonia Gandhi offer a glimpse of the deep friendship between Rajiv Gandhi and Amitabh Bachchan. The memories show once again how special this relationship was, which began before either made a big name in politics or films.