Chairman of the Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation, Shriji Arvind Singh Mewar paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Sir Roger Moore. He credited him with single-handedly raising the quality of life and transforming the economy in the Rajasthani city of Udaipur. Sir Moore, who had famously played the character of lady-loving, Britain's top secret agent, 007, had filmed in the Maharana's City Palace, and throughout the city, for his film Octopussy, in 1983.
The 76th Custodian of the House of Mewar, Shriji said the city had been “deeply shocked and saddened” by his passing. “The passing away of Sir Roger Moore was received in Udaipur with deep shock, sadness and disbelief. My personal memory of the late Sir Roger is of an amusing, gentle, and extremely courteous man who gave time to everyone he met. He will always have a special place in the heart of Udaipur and has left an indelible imprint in the imagination of the local people. Our condolences, thoughts and prayers are with Sir Roger's family and friends. He will always be remembered here in Udaipur with affection, deep respect, and great fondness,” he said.
It Shriji's father Maharana Bhagwat Singh who invited famous producers Albert R Broccoli and Michael G Wilson to Udaipur, the Lake Palace Hotel and threw open the doors of new hotel Shiv Niwas Palace ahead of time. “The only James Bond Udaipur recognises is Sir Roger Moore and there was an astonishing reaction in the city 35 years after the filming of 'Octopussy'. Today people here watch just one Bond movie with one immortalised James Bond. He has single-handedly changed the quality of life of the common man and brought money into the economy of the city of Udaipur,” Shriji said.
Indian actor Kabir Bedi, who had played villain Gobinda, in the movie also paid tribute on social media. “Roger Moore was the James Bond who I fought throughout the film' Octopussy'. In real life he was an incredibly kind and gracious human being. Roger became my friend during the long shootings we shared in Pinewood Studios in London, the train depots of Peterborough, and the magical Lake Palace in Udaipur, India.”
