Mumbai: Ameesha gets nostalgic about the Rajputana suite at the heritage hotel, where she shot just before the 26/11 terror attack

Ameesha Patel is ruing the burning down and complete destruction of the beautiful Rajputana suite on the sixth floor of the old Taj building during the 26/11 terrorist attacks.

The actress shot in the suite a week before it was gutted down, for a shoot for Hello magazine. She says sadly, "I feel terrible about what's happened... I am a city girl and have grown up in SoBo. I would often meet friends at the Shamiana, Golden Dragon, Zodiac Grill and Sea Lounge and shop there."

Too many memories

The actress says there ate too many special memories of the Taj that will always stay with her, "Most of the family weddings would take place at the Taj Crystal Room. Cousins and relatives would gather from London and Paris for the mehendis. Many friends also got married there.

I have also attended so many Jagjit Singh concerts there. During my schooldays, the Shamiana was the only restaurant that would remain open till 6 am. There's an old-world charm to the Taj... It truly represents the majestic pride of Mumbai."

The Bollywood actress didn't get a chance to visit the five star hotel when it re-opened last week, "I was out of town but I definitely will visit when I get a chance, with as much enthusiasm as I have always done!"

When the 26/11 terror attacks happened, Ameesha Patel was in Dubai. "Kanav was with me and I was getting calls and messages from friends all over. Kanav's mom was in the USA. She heard the news and informed us. She was very worried about me."

Ameesha was friends with the daughter of Yes Bank Chairman Ashok Kapoor, who died at the Taj. "Shagun and I studied together. I knew Aashish Choudhary's family too. A lot of my friends were stuck at the Taj hotel for over 10 hours." After the three days of terror ended, the actress visited the terror-struck buildings with her few friends and said a silent prayer for the deceased.

- Mid-Day