The genius of M F Husain may have passed away but his legend lives on in Dubai, a city he loved and spent a lot of time in, and more interestingly drove around in his red Ferrari.
He was frequently spotted coming out of local cinema halls after watching latest Bollywood movies. "I remember meeting the grand old man walking out of a cinema theatre. He gleamed like a teenager. I don't remember the movie but it was definitely a Hindi potboiler. That defined the man," said Raghav, a Dubai resident.
Husain always interacted with common people on the streets. "I think his best moment in Dubai came in November 2007 when he booked the entire cinema hall screening Madhuri Dixit's comeback film Aaja Nachle," said Ayesha, a Sharjah resident.
On this occasion, Husain booked 194 seats for the movie as a treat for his special guests from all walks of life. He distributed tickets as invitations on which the veteran painter's autograph and a sketch of Madhuri was inscribed.
The artist was known to be a great fan of the actress, whom he also cast in his film Gaja Gamini.
Husain also held several private exhibitions during his stay in Dubai. He came to Dubai to work on the history of Arab civilisation.
True to the man himself, all his mannerisms were unique. Even his apartment looked like an Arab majlis. A round carpet in his studio was uniquely laid out half on the ground and half up the wall.
He had on display paintings that he once sold for Rs 100-150.
