Dilip Saab’s Ashok Babu

Daddy has always been a die hard fan of the golden era… Actors like KL Saigal, Balraj Sahni and Dilip Kumar fascinated him. And I guess their histrionics must have extremely good because Daddy never spoke the hindi language with any finesse.

When I started journalism and got the cinema beat, my dad was a worried man. I had seen all of two hindi movies until then. Trishul when I was 8 years old and Qurbani when I was 10. And my hindi, well, lets just not start that topic. But he soon realized that he had a tenacious daughter who learnt the ropes quickly and soon became the Entertainment Head of a leading news channel.

I had my chat show then, and lo behold, the chat show was in hindi. One of my first guests on the show was Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu. I set up for the interview in their garden and commenced my interview.

As my parents were visiting, I asked them to meet me

outside Dilip saab’s bungalow at a designated time when I would have wrapped my interview. Shoot wrapped up, I thanked them and asked for their leave. As Dilip saab escorted me out, I turned around and at the spur of the moment, I requested him if he could meet my parents. A gracious man, he immediately agreed.

I ushered in a visibly shell shocked mom and dad. They sat in the drawing room and Dilip saab asked dad his name. When he said Ashok Das, the thespian replied, “in that case, you are my Ashok Babu.” They sat and chatted for over two hours over tea with biscuits, samosas and jalebis. 

The actor drew out a reticent fan and spoke on topics that had nothing to do with movies. From books to places, from history to politics…the conversation carried on, whilst me, mom and Saira Banu looked and listened.

Finally, the evening came to a close. Daddy was in seventh heaven, Mama was deeply embarrassed, whilst I thanked God for my impulsive action that brought him so much happiness. Daddy is no more with me, but I am sure as fans across the globe rush to grab a copy of Dilip Kumar’s memoirs, Daddy will be reminiscing about his time with a superstar, a legend…Thank you, Dilip saab, for making his Ashok Babu feel so special.