I was offered a break as an actor by the renowned Prabhat studios. Though Bombay was always the hub of the film industry, I had to leave for Pune as their studio was located there. In the Bombay film industry then, the studio system was king and the director called the shots (Bombay Talkies, Central Studios, Ranjit Studios were major studios; unfortunately all are defunct now).

Stars, like cinematographers and editors, were hired employees. They were on two-to-three-year contracts and consequently there was discipline. I was contracted for two years with Prabhat. I was paid Rs 400 with Rs 35 deducted for income tax. But I could still manage and save money too, as Rs 1000 then was equivalent to Rs 1 lakh today.

After becoming a star, how did you celebrate - and relax?

After Ziddi, I bought my first car, a black Hillman. Later, I bought a convertible called the Triumph and I remember driving it proudly out of the Dadajee Dhackjee showroom. Two Chevrolets followed -- one was maroon, the other was green.

I would see English films at Metro, Rex and Strand. Wilson, the manager of Metro, was very particular about screening only good films so he would view them before deeming them fit to shown at Metro!