Few people know that when Shyam Benegal first made 'Ankur', it was a very lengthy film. Shyam roped in Girish to help him edit the narrative. That’s when I first heard of Girish. Soon we learned that he had been appointed as Director of FTII (Film and Television Institute of India) Pune. It was a troubled tenureship because the students were on strike and very hostile. But Girish handled it with great maturity and compassion.
Legend has it that Naseeruddin Shah was in the forefront of the strike and there were some unpleasant altercations between Girish and him. But to Girish’s remarkable credit, that didn’t deter him from recommending Naseer to Shyam for a very important role in 'Nishant', his first break in films that launched his career and established him as a fine actor. My respect for him grew manifold as I watched him interact with Naseer on the sets without the slightest rancour. He became a hero in my eyes.
I was playing the schoolmaster’s wife in 'Nishant'. Girish played the somewhat timid school master, quite the opposite of what he was in real life - confident, articulate, erudite, a true intellectual.
Girish Karnad and Smita Patil in a scene from 'Nishant'.
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He didn’t fancy himself as an actor and rued that it would damage his reputation as a playwright (who was fast getting acknowledged as one of the best in India). I would tease him and say, “No matter. Even if you aren’t good, you are so good-looking that all will be forgiven.” He would laugh loudly and then proceed to regale us with umpteen stories. It was a pleasure to hear him speak and I warmed up to him.
Two years later, we were cast together as husband and wife in Basu Chatterjee’s film 'Swami', and he was hailed as a great actor. Girish and I were tickled pink and made a pact that we wouldn’t let on that we both thought otherwise! If that’s how the audience saw him, we would keep the secret between ourselves. Azmi and Karnad were cast as husband and wife in Basu Chatterjee’s film 'Swami'.
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But the fact is that he had undeniable screen presence, and very soon turned into a fine actor. The last film I did with him was 'Chalk and Duster' just a couple of years ago. Gone was the initial reluctance and hesitation. He faced the camera like a total pro, as though to the manor born. Even so, being an actor was only a small aspect of his personality.
What he is most respected for is his remarkable talent as one of India’s finest contemporary playwright. The tributes have come pouring in. Even his severest critics have had to acknowledge that he was a force to reckon with. I’ve had the honour of acting in his play 'Broken Images' directed by Alyque Padamsee. It has been running for ten years now. But every single show is a fresh challenge for me as an actor, not just technically but emotionally as well. It is so nuanced, so finely written that I find new meaning almost each time I perform it.
The last time I met Girish was after a show of 'Broken Images' in Benguluru two years ago. He had to carry an oxygen tank with him to the restaurant in which he and his wife Saras (Saraswathy Ganapathy) had hosted a dinner for a motley group of us. But his failing health had not taken away an iota of his passion, or his commitment as an engaged citizen.
It was his fearlessness, his speaking his mind without mincing words, his total commitment to freedom of speech that defined him. We kept in touch on email and the occasional phone call. The last email exchange was two months ago when I complained to him because he was insisting I reshoot the image of Malini in 'Broken Images' since it was ten years old. It was a daunting exercise because it is a single shot of 44 minutes and by some miracle I had got it right in the first take. I was loathe to try it again, but because he insisted we reshot it. Azmi in 'Broken Images'. (Image: brokenimagesplay.com) Pushing my luck, I asked, “Now that I’ve done it, can we please go back to using the original image?” He wrote back angrily, “You can stop the play if you want, but I will not settle for the earlier image!”This was my reply: “Girish, I will honour your decision. There is no need to sound so strict! I thought we were friends and it was a friendly suggestion. I think it’s a fantastically written play realised beautifully by Alyque. I’ve enjoyed doing it and would love to continue to do so. You are becoming a grumpy old chap! I’m a fan and deserve more love. Where is your lovely sense of humour gone??? Love, Shabana.”
We are taking the play with the revised image to Bengaluru this week. I was so looking forward to giving him a hug and making up with him. Instead, I’m writing this salute to the man like no other.
Farewell my friend. You live on through your work.
Celebrity Deaths Of 2018: Looking Back At The Stars We Lost
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The world lost more than a few stars in 2018. Many celebrities died this year, breaking millions of hearts. From the ‘90s heart-throb, Sridevi to Anthony Bourdain, there were some legends that left us this year. Here's a look at all the people we lost.
(In Pic: From left, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Sridevi, VS Naipaul.)
The world lost more than a few stars in 2018. Many celebrities died this year, breaking millions of hearts. From the ‘90s heart-throb, Sridevi to Anthony Bourdain, there were some legends that left u..
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Supriya Devi: Veteran Bengali film actress Supriya Devi, who reached legendary heights for her portrayal of the protagonist Neeta in Ritwik Ghatak's cult movie 'Meghe Dhaka Tara', passed away at 85. She had suffered a massive cardio-respiratory failure. She is survived by her daughter and three grandchildren. Apart from an illustrious career in Bengali cinema, she also acted in a few Hindi films like 'Begaana', 'Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein' and 'Aap Ke Parchhaiyan'. Known for her beauty and sharp features, she made her acting debut as a 7-year-old in two plays directed by her father Gopal Chandra Banerjee, and forayed into films in 1952 playing a side part in the Uttam Kumar starrer 'Basu Paribar'.
(In Pic: Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee with famous dancer Amala Sankar (L) and eminent actress Supriya Devi (R) during 54th Annual Railway National Awards function in Science City Auditorium Kolkata.)
Supriya Devi: Veteran Bengali film actress Supriya Devi, who reached legendary heights for her portrayal of the protagonist Neeta in Ritwik Ghatak's cult movie 'Meghe Dhaka Tara', passed away at 85. ..
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Bollywood’s first female superstar, Sridevi was found dead in the bathroom of a hotel in Dubai where she had been visiting for a family wedding. An autopsy report later established that the 54-year-old actress passed away following a cardiac arrest. Born as Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan, she started acting at 4, appearing in several Tamil films in the 60’s and 70’s, and eventually dropping out of school for a career in the movies. She acted in Tamil, Malayalam and Telugu films, opposite leading men like Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. She made her Bollywood debut in 1979 with 'Solva Sawan', but it was in 1983, with 'Sadma' that she made her mark in the Hindi film industry. She charmed audiences with films like 'Chandni' & 'Lamhe', drawing praise for her comic timing in 'Chaalbaaz' & 'Mr India'. The actress made a successful return to the big screen in 'English Vinglish'. Her last screen appearance was in 'Mom' which released in 2017.
Bollywood’s first female superstar, Sridevi was found dead in the bathroom of a hotel in Dubai where she had been visiting for a family wedding. An autopsy report later established that the 54-year-o..
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Veteran actress Shammi Aunty passed away at the age of 89. She had worked in many popular films like ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’, ‘Dil’ and so on. At 18 she signed her first film ‘Ustad Pedro’ in 1949. Actor- producer Sheikh Mukhtar had discovered Shammi when he was, and it was on his advice that she changed her (screen) name to Shammi from Nargis.
Veteran actress Shammi Aunty passed away at the age of 89. She had worked in many popular films like ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’, ‘Dil’ and so on. At 18 she signed her first film ‘Ustad Pedro’ in 1949. Ac..
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Hubert de Givenchy, the aristocratic French fashion designer whose understated style represented a golden age of elegance, passed away at the age of 91. Couturier to Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy Onassis, he breathed his last at the Renaissance chateau near Paris that he shared with his partner and fellow designer, Philippe Venet. He learned his trade from another fashion master, Cristóbal Balenciaga. The Givenchy label was sold to the LVMH luxury group in 1988 but Givenchy remained head of creative design for seven years.
Hubert de Givenchy, the aristocratic French fashion designer whose understated style represented a golden age of elegance, passed away at the age of 91. Couturier to Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy..
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Narendra Jha, 55, known for his work in films like 'Raees', 'Haider' and 'Kaabil' among others, passed away due to a massive heart attack. Born in Madhubani district of Bihar, Jha started his career in the television industry and became a known face with shows like 'Begusarai', 'Ek Ghar Banaunga', 'Supercops vs Supervillains' and others. He ventured into Bollywood with the 2012 film 'Funtoosh'.
Narendra Jha, 55, known for his work in films like 'Raees', 'Haider' and 'Kaabil' among others, passed away due to a massive heart attack. Born in Madhubani district of Bihar, Jha started his career ..
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Stephen William Hawking (1942 - 2018) was the former Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge and author of 'A Brief History of Time'. In 1963, Hawking contracted motor neurone disease and was given two years to live. From 1979 to 2009, he held the post of Lucasian Professor at Cambridge, the chair held by Isaac Newton in 1663. He received over a dozen honorary degrees and was awarded the CBE in 1982. He was a fellow of the Royal Society and a member of the US National Academy of Science. Hawking is regarded as one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists since Einstein.
Stephen William Hawking (1942 - 2018) was the former Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge and author of 'A Brief History of Time'. In 1963, Hawking contracted motor neuron..
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The Stockholm-born Tim Bergling, was better known by his stage name, Avicii. The Swedish DJ, remix artist and record producer was nominated twice for a Grammy Award, once for his work on 'Sunshine' with David Guetta in 2012 and once for his song 'Levels' in 2013. He passed away on 20 April in Muscat, at the age of 28, and the; cause of his death has been identified as suicide.
The Stockholm-born Tim Bergling, was better known by his stage name, Avicii. The Swedish DJ, remix artist and record producer was nominated twice for a Grammy Award, once for his work on 'Sunshine' w..
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Fashion designer and businesswoman, Kate Spade, was born in 1962 in Kansas City, Missouri. She launched her own line of Kate Spade handbags in 1993, and the company expanded to include numerous retail outlets and selling its products through high-end stores. Spade sold the remaining shares of her company in 2006, but later resurfaced with a new fashion brand. She was found dead in her New York apartment from an apparent suicide on June 5 earlier this year.
Fashion designer and businesswoman, Kate Spade, was born in 1962 in Kansas City, Missouri. She launched her own line of Kate Spade handbags in 1993, and the company expanded to include numerous retai..
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Anthony Bourdain, or Anthony Michael Bourdain, born on June 25, 1956, New York City, was an American chef, author, and television personality who helped popularise the 'foodie' culture in the early 21st century through his books and television programs. Raised in New Jersey, Bourdain first took an interest in food when he ate an oyster as a young boy on a trip to France with his family. After his article 'Don’t Read Before Eating This' appeared in ‘The New Yorker’ to raving reviews in 1997, Bourdain moved from one high-profile culinary project to the next, including TV shows 'A Cook’s Tour' and 'Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations'. He also wrote several books, including 'Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly'. Bourdain was found dead in his hotel room in France on June 8, from a reported suicide.
Anthony Bourdain, or Anthony Michael Bourdain, born on June 25, 1956, New York City, was an American chef, author, and television personality who helped popularise the 'foodie' culture in the early 2..
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.)
