Bollywood's Twitterati remember 26/11 attacks

India yesterday observed the second anniversary of the dreaded Mumbai terror attacks of 26/11, with a number of Bollywood bigwigs, including Big B, voicing their feelings via social media networks, in particular Twitter.

The attacks, one of the worst in the history of India, saw Indian political parties come together in a rare gesture, with the entire country and indeed the world shocked at the audacity of a handful of young men who kept the world’s largest democracy hostage for more than 72 hours.

A total of 173 people were killed in that attack, with another 308 injured, some badly and the nation scarred for a long time to come.

Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt has reportedly begun filming a movie based on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Titled ‘Kuch Log’ (Some People), the movie features Bollywood stalwart Anupam Kher.

Kher said that he was proud to be a part of the movie. “Out of every terror attack, a story comes out which depicts the life of an individual whose photographs are not printed in any newspaper. Their faces are always in the dark. The movie is based on such people whose lives are affected due to the terror attacks,” he said.

While celebrities observed the anniversary yesterday, they also acknowledged that not enough could possibly be done for those security personnel who lost their lives while defending those of others. “A prayer, a lit candle, a remembrance in silent thought, seems so inadequate for those that became martyrs ... their suffering immense,” tweeted Bachchan Sr.

Here’s what some of the Bollywood celebrities said on Twitter:

Amitabh Bachchan:

Today 26/11! Horrors of terrible visuals, pride in bravery of our men in uniform and deepest thoughts and prayers for lost lives...

What is it that drives men and women to sacrifice their life, so the rest of us could live in peace and freedom? Salutations to them

The acts and actions of those that gave up their all so all of us could survive, is beyond description! How best can we remember them

Blessed is a nation that prides itself with such examples of commitment from those that die for us... Today and in the years past!

Blessed are those mothers that gave birth to them that saved us by giving away that, which was most precious to them...

May we never ever forget what those that sacrificed their lives, gave us - our freedom and our life to live!

May our hands go up in prayer to those who died in protecting us .. and to those innocents that became victims...

A prayer, a lit candle, a remembrance in silent thought, seems so inadequate for those that became martyrs ... their suffering immense

And how can we compensate the tears and the pain from those loved ones they left behind, in saving our country... we never can!

Lata Mangeshkar:

Aaj 26/11 hai, 2 saal pehele Mumbai par jo aatanki hamla hua tha, jisme kai maasoom logon ki jaanein chali gayi, kai log zakhmi hue, kai ghar ujad gayein, un sabhi bhai behenon ko, bacchon ko, aur us me apne pranon ki aahuti de kar kai logon ko bachaane wale un mahan veeron ko, unki is behen ki bhavbheeni shraddhanjali...."

(Today is 26/11 and two years ago on the same day Mumbai was hit with terror attacks in which innocent people lost their lives, many got injured, many families were ruined... I pay a very humble tribute to all those people, children and the courageous people who sacrificed their own lives to save others.)

hum sab bharatvasiyo'n ki taraf se un mahan veero'n ko shat shat pranam.....

(On behalf of all of us Indians, I salute those brave souls.)

Madhur Bhandarkar:

Today is the second anniversary of 26/11. feel so sorry for the innocent lives lost and salute the martyrs. Doesn't matter how hard Mumbai is hit, it has always bounced back with a bang, with a zest of life. Jai Hind!

Anupam Kher:

26/11 tragedy completes two years. And we are still debating about Kasab's fate. A silent prayer for the victims and their families.

Pooja Bhatt:

Amidst this barrage of corruption the nation seems to be subjected to I can't help but feel that the fires of 26/11 still tragically rage on.

Diya Mirza:

Have not forgotten and will not forget this date. 26/11.

Arshad Warsi:

26/11, a day that showed our weakness and our strength. I salute our security forces for laying their lives for us, and Mumbai for its resilience.

Ram Gopal Varma:

We will never forget 26/11...We will never forget that we can die any time.

Pooja Bedi:

26/11 once again!!! And monster Kasab still not hung for the massacre caught on tape and eyewitness accounts! What strong message are we sending? My thoughts and prayers today with all victims of terrorism in India and abroad! Let's push for swift and stern sentencing of terrorists!

R. Madhavan:

Heart goes out to all who lost their near and dear ones in Mumbai on this day. We will never forget.

Kunal Khemu:

26/11- prayers for all those who lost their lives and for all those who lost their loved ones!

Minissha Lamba:

26/11...Salute to our martyrs...Amen.