Watching in TV the first Murder Case I followed in teens

After lunch both of us sat down to watch the last twenty minutes of Mammootty’s movie, Turbo. Yes, more often we are forced to watch in instalments thanks to the post-lunch chloroform that begins taking effect. The movie over in a jiffy. It was too early for a nap. 

I browsed through the various platforms. I stumbled upon the Hindi movie, Rustom. I thought it was a remake of the film I had seen featuring Dara Singh, based on Sohrab and Rustam - the story of Sohrab, the Tartar hero, who fights Rustum, the Persian chieftain, in single combat, not knowing that he is truly his father. When Sohrab receives the fatal blow, he tells the opponent not to be overjoyed; one day his father Rustam would take revenge on him. A touching story.

So, with all keenness I switched on to re-live the story. In the next three minutes, alas, I realized the movie was based on the Nanavati Murder case, featuring Akshay Kumar. No problem. Equally welcome. 

For the uninitiated, the Nanavati Murder case happened in 1959. Nanavati, a naval officer, and Prem Ahuja, a businessman, were friends. Nanavati was at sea on duty for months on. Prem Ahuja and N’s wife developed illicit relations. N came to know of it and shot Ahuja dead at point blank range. 

This was the first case that I followed in life as it unfolded. I was just 19. My uncle had just brought me to Delhi to look for a job. He subscribed to the tabloid, Blitz by B.K. Karanjia, and the political magazine, Mother India, by Baburao Patil. The two were at daggers drawn when it came to taking stands in this case - Blitz for a lenient view to Nanavati, and Mother India for sterner punishment.

Both my uncles – the elder and the younger ones – would argue the case vigorously for and against, while I watched them with open-mouthed awe.  I thought it was time I gave my input as well and began following the case in both these tabloids as well as in Hindustan Times. Consequently, I was able to offer my two cents to the discussions. 

Though just taken up a job and leading a frugal life, occasionally I allowed myself to buy the Evening News as I boarded the bus from office, as and when I could not resist the newspaper boy’s tempting announcements of the contents.

It was nice re-living that episode, though in the movie there was a liberal sprinkle of sub plots to accentuate cinematic effects. I was able to relate most of the moves by the media to influence the jury, and many other instances. The jury found him Not Guilty with Eight in favour and One against. The case went to a higher court where it found him guilty and ordered imprisonment. As per reports it was nearly after this case that the jury system was discontinued.

On a fact check, I understand that Nanavati was at one time close to V K Krishna Menon when he was the High Commissioner in London, and Krishna Menon to Nehru. Public support for Nanavati mounted and Prem Ahuja’s sister herself wrote a letter to accord pardon to Nanavati. These aided Vijayalakshmi Pandit, then Governor of Maharashtra, to grant him pardon - three years later. Upon release, the family – Nanavati, his wife and three children – moved to Canada where N died in 2003 and, later Mrs N moved to a home for assisted living. 

It was altogether an engaging three hours for me, but much to the annoyance of the lady of the house who felt she could not watch it undisturbed what with my knowledge-sharing interventions. Nonetheless, “I say, you look for such movies that you can relate and share some side stories as well,” she said by way of yet another rare compliment.

Narayan celebrates Bheema Ratha Shanti (70+ years of life)

Google describes Bheema Ratha Shanti as completion of 70 years of life, embodying the essence of wisdom, experience and longevity. And when applied to Narayan, our family friend in the previous apartment complex, he enjoys all these in full measure.

These milestone birthdays are supposed to be conducted by the offsprings. Hence some delay is inevitable, to fit in with their convenience. Precisely why the celebration got delayed till Narayan was 76.  It’s better to be late than never. 

His son Mani, daughter-in-law Namita, their young children had just landed from Calgary, Canada. Priya, the elder daughter - dentist by qualification but a full-time independent entrepreneur - had just rescheduled her business commitments simultaneously ensuring that her daughter is fully geared for various engineering-entrance exams. Sarasa, Narayan’s sahadharmini’s hands were full what with arranging the caterer and the family’s accredited purohit, Ganesha Vadhyar - from whom to get a date is difficult. Narayan’s three younger brothers and only sister Pushpa divided the rest of the responsibilities. As though to distinguish from the rest of the gathering, all the four menfolk sported a brick-red shirt, with a matching dhoti. What a united family.

Many feared that the threatening thunderstorm and piercing downpour the preceding night might play spoilsport to dwindle attendance next morning. Nay, everyone turned up, and the Malleswaram hall got filled slowly but surely. After all, it was a Narayan-Sarasa function, and few would miss it.

For me, the visit proved an occasion to meet my old Srishti Apts friends. Luckily, they were as much overjoyed as we were. The Kannans accompanied us to the dining hall – no, not to join us for breakfast – but to make us comfortable. Any talk with Kannan always sharpens your skills in investment, though I am way past that stage. Ashok, who joined later, said he believed in making short-term profits. 

Vijaya Nandakumar is busy holding yoga classes to the residents.  The Hebbars, the do-gooders, have shifted. Suspecting that I had not recognized her, Mrs Hebbar asked me if I could place her. “Why not Ma’am. The Hebbars and Visweswarans would have been neighbours of Puneet Rajkumar in Total Environment Yelahanka if only Puneet had not become dearer to God.” 

Another friend expressed grouse that his age-old suggestion to construct a hall above the club house still does not find favour with the Association. The Bhashyams confided that they were turning spiritual. Sudha, Srikant’s wife, not to be outdone, said she was both learning and teaching Sanskrit – more of grammar. “You mean, aham, avaam, vayam; or Ramaha, Ramau, Ramaaha..,” I asked. She smiled.

The Shenoys, whose son’s wedding was the last occasion when we met Srishti-ites in one go, repeated their invitation to visit their abode on our next visit and whispered into my ears ‘don’t make it just to Narayan’s house, ok?’ The retired Vice Chancellor, as also Avanchi the technocrat shared how they were usefully engaged in ‘giving it back to the society’. The chat with Bharti and Jaya – m-i-l/d-i-l is always engaging, as also Sreedhar-Raji. Sashi extended us an invitation to visit her in Jakarta -  we will all go to Bali as well.’ Anu updated us on her new acquisitions – this time a 4 BHK apartment. 

Lakshmi, the lady who was responsible for the upkeep of our home in Hebbal, and an inseparable member of the Sarasa family, was happy to see us both. She introduced her daughter to us. She had come alone in her car and was waiting for her husband to come in his car separately. What a welcome transition.

Ajit was another invitee. He would drive Narayan’s car for their outstation trips. He was delighted when I hailed him by his name. In the short spell with him, he shared with that Ravi, another accredited driver who later changed profession to sell hot thatte idlis in Mandya, and another one, had passed away... “I am at your call for any Saturday, Sunday trips, sir,” he assured me. 

‘Aseervadam time’, came the announcement.  A me-first frenzy to the stage. Narayans made sure that no guest returned home without a return gift - one that everyone would love to see every morning and evening lit up in their puja room.

Time to return to Sobha Forestview, though not fully happy having met old friends to our heart’s content. “I say, we must visit them more often,” we swore to ourselves emphatically, as we did on earlier occasions while boarding  flights back to Bangalore – and never did.