MUMBAI: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan has mourned the death of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, saying he has lost a part of his childhood and growing up memories.

The 93-year-old leader, who had faded from public life for more than a decade following health complications, died at the national capital's AIIMS, where he was admitted for the past nine weeks.

An emotional Shah Rukh tweeted: "My father used to take me for every speech that Vajpayee made in Delhi when I was growing up.

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"Years on, I had the opportunity to meet him and spend lots of time discussing poetry, films, politics, and our ailing knees. I also had the privilege of enacting one of his poems for the screen."

The "Chennai Express" star said Vajpayee was fondly addressed as 'Baapji' at his home.

"The country lost a father-figure and a great leader. Personally I have lost a part of my childhood and growing up memories of learning, smiling and of course poetry," he added.

The 52-year-old actor said he considered himself the "luckiest to have had Vajpayee's influence" on his life during his "formative years".

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"May his soul rest in peace. Will miss your smiling face Baapji," he said.

(Source: IANS)