I was posted as Manager Kashmir Government Arts Emporium branch in Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi in the year 1972. Many a Bollywood personality would visit and stay in the hotel. I wished a few but they did not respond rather turned their face the other side. So I decided not to wish anyone thereafter.
It so happened that there was a cricket match going on between India and Pakistan and since TV was not that freely available, so Ashoka Hotel authorities had set up a TV in the gallery for viewing by interested visitors and guests. The gallery was overlooking the reception and the main entry gate. Visitors could see the crowd and hear the sound of TV from the reception. I was sitting right by the side of the wall of the gallery and was visible from the reception.
Dilip Kumar, the actor who ruled millions of hearts entered the hotel, checked in and took the keys from the reception. Walking further he saw me and heard the sound. So he said to me from the ground floor in chaste Urdu, "What is the latest score?"
I replied, " Please come up and see for yourself, I am not your servant."
He felt aghast but didn't lose his cool. He continued in chaste Urdu, " Brother, I have been entertaining you people all my life, don't I have the right to ask for this little favour."
It was my turn to feel ashamed and I didn't know how to react but by the time he had walked off and was not seen.
Eversince the feeling of remorse stays with me. His generosity and humility impressed me immensely. The incident remains engraved on my mind and more I think of it, more does Dilip Kumar's magnanimous image grow in my mind.
May his soul rest in peace.
اک ستارہ تھا میں
ایک تو سفر کی تھکاوٹ، پھر تقریب میں شرکت کا طویل وقت، اور پھر تقریب سے رہائش گاہ تک کا...
