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SIGNATURE

f Baburao Patel, India’s pioneering film journalist were alive, he would be 100 years old today. He dared to unmask the dream-merchants, a trend gradually picked up by future film glossies in the coming decades. Baburao launched India’s first film magazine Film India in 1935. It was the most popular film magazine of its time, widely appreciated for its bold stand on current issues and a scintillating style of writing. It was said that Baburao’s column made and broke careers. Filmmakers dreaded his acid reviews of their films, for his comments invariably proved true at the box-office. Not surprising that he was the most hated and also the most sought-after journalist in show business.

Son of an illustrious advocate at the Bombay High Court, Baburao, due to compelling circumstances, could not complete his schooling. That did not deter his confidence however. Spending most of his time in his father’s library at home, Baburao enhanced his knowledge via self-education. He had big dreams for himself and he was unafraid to pursue them. The first sign came in his rejection of his original surname, Patil. He found it too restrictive and therefore altered it to Patel. Little did he know at that time that it would go on to become the most famous byline of that era.

He was the first film scribe to foray into film production (followed by Vaju Kotak of Chitralekha Publishers). He wrote, produced and directed Kismet (1929), Mahananda, Bala Joban, Maharani and Chand Ka Tukda (1932-35) Draupadi (1944) and Gwalan (1946). The first critic to be invited as a delegate to read a paper on Cinema and Culture, he was also the first to voice a protest against anti-Indian productions in Europe, UK and USA. For someone deprived of any formal education, he depicted great mastery over language and was also a great orator. He did not restrict himself only to cinema. Baburao dabbled in various subjects, and authored six books, prominent amongst which are Grey Dust and Burning Words.

Baburao launched India’s first film magazine Film India in 1935. It was said that his column made and broke careers. Filmmakers dreaded his acid reviews of their films, for his comments invariably proved true at the box-office. Not surprising that he was the most hated and also the most sought-after journalist in show business

His columns always showed a special interest in politics. It was his passion to unravel the powerful leaders that made him launch a national magazine, Mother India in 1960. This coincided with the closure of his film publication, Film India. The readers missed their regular dose of juicy details on the film fraternity. Even old guards, who had all along criticised Baburao’s scathing columns, felt a void. They complained of feeling complacent in the absence of a watch-dog. Interestingly, the anxieties had now transferred to the political parties, who felt threatened by Baburao’s fiery editorials.

As Mother India grew from strength to strength, he was the first mainstream journalist in 1967, much before Arun Shourie and others, to be elected as Member of Parliament. It was difficult to pipe him down even in the Lok Sabha where he fought vigorously against corruption in the Government. Counted amongst the prolific writers on cinema, he is said to have written more than 8 million words in his 30 year-old career.

As a tribute to the thespian, on every year, April 4 , Baburao Patel’s birthday, his actress-singer wife Sushila Rani, holds a cultural concert to promote new artists and felicitate distinguished personalities. Last year it was Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, this year it was Prasar Bharati CEO and veteran journalist M.V. Kamath. Every year, except for the venue, which shifts from Sushila Rani’s building compound in Pali Hill to a more formal auditorium, the annual event conveys a feeling of deja vu. The same people attend the function, comprising music lovers and close friends. At the entrance, Sushila Rani’s disciples welcome guests with the traditional haldi-kumkum and inside, the one-time beautiful actress, blossoms in a vibrant saree.

He had big dreams for himself and he was unafraid to pursue them. The first sign came in his rejection of his original surname, Patil. He found it too restrictive and therefore altered it to Patel. Little did he know at that time that it would go on to become the most famous byline of that era

Every year, the chief guest is composer Naushad Ali (looking frailer by the passing time) and the highlight of the evening, a prominent gharana singer flown down from his/her hometown. When the concert ends, the 85 year-old hostess personally attends to her guests. Failing in health, but her spirit intact, the fragile lady drags her feet, making sure that nobody leaves her abode without a meal or a token of her husband’s memory. It’s Sushila Rani’s overwhelming warmth that makes the evening so memorable.

After the innumerable glamorous events that my profession entails me to attend, this one remains a special date.