It’s a heartening curtain-raiser for International Women’s Day. Apart from Yami Gautam and Priyamani establishing themselves as power women in Article 370, February 16 was a special day for dads and daughters. Raveena Tandon was much in charge as the Ravi Tandon chowk was unveiled next to the PVR cinema in Juhu. It’s she who had pursued the idea of a chowk in her late father’s name with Mumbai MLAs Ashish Shelar and Ameet Satam. With daughter Rasha by her side, Raveena got her mother Veena to inaugurate it and ensured that little potlis of prasad were distributed to the many media men on the road. Ravi Tandon would’ve been proud of her.

An hour later, it was the three Kolhapure sisters — Shivangi, Padmini and Tejaswini with classical music in their blood — who hosted an evening in memory of their father Pandit Pandharinath Kolhapure. Concerts by Vidushi Jyoti Hegde, the only female rudra veena player in the country, and vocalist Savaniee Ravindrra kept his legacy alive. A 150-year-old rudra veena that belongs to the Kolhapure family got pride of place on the stage. The evening was classical vintage.

A week later, another father’s chest swelled as Amazon started streaming Poacher, a crime thriller on the brutal ivory killings of Kerala. Created by Emmy Award winner Richie Mehta, the man who made the Delhi Crime series, Poacher has been backed by Alia Bhatt’s Eternal Sunshine, the production house she has set up with sister Shaheen.

Mahesh Bhatt tells me, “As a father, seeing my daughters Alia, Pooja and Shaheen’s deep love for animals fills me with immense pride. Their connection with nature has always been profound. Alia’s involvement as executive producer in the web series on poaching is a testament to her commitment to protecting wildlife. Her passion for environmental conservation reflects her compassion and empathy. As her father, I stand in awe of her courage, vision and determination to create a better world.”

Well done, Alia, for putting fame to good use.

***

Twice in the last one month, Ameen Sayani’s son Rajil wanted to schedule a meeting with me for inputs for his father’s autobiography. Both times I was travelling, so we’d frozen Monday the 26th. But with Ameen passing away six days before the meeting, I’m guessing there will be another postponement.

Ameen had a wonderful store of stories. He’d often talk to me about Rama, his Kashmiri Hindu wife, and how neither gave up their religions. It was a
lifelong commitment — he was by her side right through a long illness. Ameen also welcomed Jyoti, his daughter-in-law, with the same warmth.

Ameen used to compere our Star & Style awards for which I had to not only work in tandem with him to finalise the flow and the script but also stand by his side all evening. He’d teasingly call me “Vividh Bharti”. Because of the comfort he enjoyed with the stars, it was easy for him to ad lib when, say, Ashok Kumar and Mehmood did an impromptu item together or Raj Kapoor spontaneously danced with my editor after getting his award. Those were such cosy times.

Although famous for his opening line “Behenon aur bhaiyon”, Ameen’s seductive voice over the mike and his charming chivalry in person floored most women.

One afternoon, three friends and I took Ameen out to lunch. He smiled that he was the most fortunate man in the room to be solo with four women.

Ameen personally wrote his autobiography and Rajil often assured me that his dad had completed it. That was more than three years ago. I wonder what Rajil’s plans will now be, having delayed the autobiography for far too long. I wish it had been published in Ameen’s lifetime. Au revoir to the gentleman with the golden voice.

Bharathi S. Pradhan is a senior journalist and author