Mumbai: Usha Khanna, last link to Cafe Samovar, passes away

They came for the stimulating conversations and delectable fare, and stayed for her sunny personality. Mumbai lost its last link to landmark haunt Cafe Samovar at Jehangir Art Gallery, which downed shutters last year, when its owner, Usha Khanna, passed away on Saturday.

In pictures: Mumbai bids adieu to Cafe Samovar

Usha Khanna was cremated by her children Malavika Sangghvi, Deveika Bhojwani and Siddharth Khanna. Pic/Datta Kumbhar

For many of the patrons, Café Samovar was synonymous with Khanna. She was always at the café, with a smile, ever ready to chat up visitors. Her children, Malavika Sangghvi, Deveika Bhojwani and Siddharth Khanna cremated her at the Chandanwadi crematorium.

"She was absolutely fine till two hours before her death," said her daughter and mid-day columnist Sangghvi. "We were on our way to the Breach Candy Hospital, when she breathed her last. The doctors said the cause of death was natural."

All that Khanna wished for, revealed Sangghvi, was for everyone to enjoy their lives. "She was such a beautiful soul, so full of life and she achieved so much. We are absolutely broken, but at the same time we want to honour her by celebrating life."

Also Read: Art, not tea, to be served at Cafe Samovar

Actress Tara Sharma said Khanna was "an adorable person". "Our families were close." Indru Advani, who has known Khanna's family for decades, was saddened by the news of her sudden death. Khanna's driver, Vijay Shedge, who had been working for her since 2007, said she treated everyone like a family member. "Never once did we feel like outsiders."

TV Mohannan, manager of Café Samovar, called her "the kindest soul". "She handed me all the responsibilities of the cafe without doubting me." Friends and employees - from electricians, driver and managers to her colleagues from the film fraternity - she was also a music director - were present at Khanna's last rites.

Sangghvi said Khanna lived in Kashmir for 24 years and wished that her ashes would be immersed in the Dal lake.