London, Dec 26 (IANS) George Michael, who gave the music world evergreen tracks like "Last Christmas" and "Careless whisper", may have left the world but his work will always keep his spirit alive in the heart of his fans, say Indian film celebrities, many of whom grew up listening to the singer-songwriter's famous tunes.
Michael breathed his last on Sunday -- ironically, making it his last Christmas. He was 53, and was found dead on Sunday at his home in Oxfordshire, England.
According to the Grammy Award winner's manager, the singer had died of heart failure "in bed, lying peacefully".
Ace Indian musicians like A.R. Rahman, Papon Angaraag, KK, Nikhil Chinapa, Adnan Sami and Bollywood actors and filmmakers like Karan Johar, Richa Chadha, Manoj Bajpayee, Arjun Rampal and Twinkle Khanna reminisced the "Wake me up before you go-go" hitmaker's influence during the 1980s and 1990s as he was among the pop reigning stars at the time.
Here's what the celebrities expressed on their social media accounts:
A.R. Rahman: RIP George Michael... Your music will stay with us forever.
Karan Johar: The irony of life. Last Christmas RIP George Michael... Thank you for the music and the memories.
Papon Angaraag: RIP George Michael! Your music will stay with us forever! Thank you so much for all the music you have given us!
Sona Mohapatra: An artiste who has a voice is one who stands for matters beyond just entertainment. George Micheal was one.
Twinkle Khanna: Posters of Wham!on my dorm walls, Freedom on an endless loop on a prized yellow walkman. George Micheal lives forever in our heads.
Madhur Bhandarkar: We grew up listening to your music which will live with us forever.
Manoj Bajpayee: RIP George Michael.
Prosenjit Chatterjee: George Michael was one of my favourite singer... Left us... RIP.
Abhishek Bachchan: Because you gotta have faith! RIP George Michael.
Richa Chadha: 2016, I knew you wouldn't leave us alone on Christmas. RIP George Michael. Thank you for the music.
Adnan Sami: No No No No! Not George Michael! I can't believe he has passed away. Such an incredible singer songwriter. A huge inspiration.
Vishal Dadlani: Rick Parfitt from Status Quo, and now George Michael too! 2016 has really depleted music like no other year I've lived through. Tragic!
Arjun Rampal: From 'Faith' to finding his 'Freedom' on his 'Last Christmas'.
Srijit Mukherji: 2016 claims another piece of my childhood.
Remo D'souza: RIP George Michael. Gone too soon.
Sahil Shah: Last Christmas he gave us his heart. The very next day the world took him away. We will miss you George Michael.
Vivek Agnihotri: Artists never die. RIP George Michael... Last Christmas.
KK: RIP George Michael. Thank you for the music... It will be with us forever.
Azeem Banatwalla: Sad to hear about George Michael passing. Guess this was actually his Last Christmas.
Dia Mirza: 2016 you've taken so many of my childhood icons away. But the impressions will always stay George Micheal, DavidBowie, Leonard Cohen, Prince.
Sophie Choudry: David Bowie, Prince, George Michael all in the same year! Icons, Legends, Game changers. Yup 2016 has been the shittiest year.
