Amee Shah: She loved dolls. Wherever she traveled, she always brought back dolls. She also loved lamps and bought many antique lamps. There are antiques, awards and paintings around the house. She was obviously a lover of art.

She often spoke about Nargis. Nargis had lived only four buildings away and they were childhood friends. Suraiya aunty had lived in this building since she was four years old. Raj Kapoor used to come here often, to take Nargis and Suraiya aunty to All India Radio.

She liked Adnan Sami and often imitated the way he moved his hands (in the lift kara de song). I think she did it even better than him. Though she put on weight after she stopped acting, she had become slim again these last five years.

Dimant Thakkar: She had very strong bones. During the shooting of Taj Mahal, Prithviraj Kappor had to carry her up the stairs. He did it once, but refused to do it a second time. He said he couldn't carry her.

Words: A Ganesh Nadar
Photograph: Jewella C Miranda

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