N
irupa Roy, who graced the silver screen for five decades, died on October 13, two days after Gulshan Rai, who produced her most memorable film, Deewar, passed away.Three doyens of the film industry salute the actress.
Salim Khan, who co-wrote Deewar
I last met her when she came to a party at my farmhouse in Panvel. She was very fond of me. This was further exemplified in that visit because one doesn't really expect an elderly person to travel so far for a social gathering where the crowd would mostly comprise of people younger than her.
I still remember how Nirupaji was cast in Deewar. Yash Chopra's first choice was Waheeda Rehman. But he said he had already cast her in Kabhi Kabhi as Amitabh's wife. He was worried that if Kabhi Kabhi released first, the public may not accept her as Amitabh's mother.
Then we went to Vyjayantimala. But Dr Bali (her husband) had reservations about his wife playing a mother. Thus, Nirupaji was the third choice. But, as they say, everything happens for the best.
She had a major role in the success of Deewar.
Also Read: Nirupa Roy: Eternal Mother
If you remember Deewar, you remember Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan, but you also remember Nirupaji standing in between them.
Another thing which I noticed in her was the ability to say my dialogues with the correct voice modulation. Often artistes end up making a mess of good dialogues because they don't speak them with the right pause and pitch. And how can I forget the graceful manner in which she transformed from a heroine into motherly roles? No fuss whatsoever.
I wish Indian cinema had more people like her today. Bollywood may have enhanced technically, but we need people like Nirupaji who are enthusiastic and dedicated to playing elderly roles, not those who are always bothered about doing garish make-ups and making futile attempts to look younger.
Shashi Kapoor, who played her son in Deewar
I got a call from my office informing me about her death. It is a very sad day for me. I looked up to her as my guardian.
She never interfered with the director. She did exactly what she was told. She really aroused the mother-son feeling whenever we stood together in a frame. This enhanced my performance. She loved all the younger artistes.
I first met her on the sets of Dharamputra in which she played my foster mother. As we continued to do more films, we bonded very well.
Of course, my best scene with her is the one in Deewar, where I and Amit (Amitabh Bachchan) confront each other and I tell him 'Mere paas ma hai.'
Seventy-three is no age to die. I will miss her.
Rishi Kapoor, who played her son in Amar Akbar Anthony
The news of her death gave me an eerie feeling, because just yesterday, I was discussing a scene from that film with my family -- the one where three of us, Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna and I, are donating blood to her at the same time. We were wondering how that scene got accepted!
I knew her from childhood. My father (Raj Kapoor) would take me to her house. I remember her being warm every time. I would play with her sons when I was a kid.
She was the best screen mother. It's a personal loss to me. My condolences to her family.
