‘Reema Lagoo had almost pushed herself into oblivion’

Reema Lagoo was an extraordinary actor, undoubtedly, but she was even a better human being. It’s ironic that in the last exchange, I had sent her a TED Talk.

This talk was about a guy, who survived a plane crash, in which he implores the world to do whatever they want to do, now and not tomorrow because none of us is assured about a tomorrow. After watching this talk, Reema sent me a message, which said, “Thank you for sending me this talk. It’s timely and it was much needed.”

We were supposed to meet on the sets of my TV show, Naamkarann, since I was now comparatively free, after the release of my film Begum Jaan. She was looking forward to this meeting, and so was I. But alas, that did not happen. We often think we have time, but the fact is, we don’t. It is, indeed, tragic that she is no more. Reema began her journey with me in the world of movies with Aashiqui (1990), in which she played the role of a single parent [to Rahul Roy], who lives her life with great dignity even after her husband abandons her. In Gumrah (1993), which was produced by Dharma Productions, she played the role of Sridevi’s mother. And how can I forget the extraordinary part she played as Naseeruddin Shah’s secret beloved in Naajayaz (1995). After a long gap, we resumed our association last year, with Naamkarann, a daily soap, which is aired on Star Plus. Reema had almost pushed herself into oblivion. She was hesitant to resume her relationship with the entertainment world and was unwilling to get herself out of that self-imposed exile. I begged her to play the part of Dayavanti Mehta, which was in fact, the heartbeat of the show.

At first, she hesitated because she realised how much doing daily soaps draw out of you.

“I will only accept this challenge, if you promise to oversee the writing and what happens on the sets, on a day to day basis.”

When I assured her that I would, there was no looking back. She committed herself to the show completely and shot for 8 to 10 hours every day without ever complaining. Her co-stars told me that she was glowing when she left the set the night before she passed away.

As I showered rose petals at the feet of her mortal remains, I realised how fortunate I had been to meet this wonderful lady, who was far more talented than the roles the industry offered to her.

I am grateful to life that our paths crossed and she touched me so deeply and left an indelible mark in my heart forever.

The Congress on Thursday accused Union minister Smriti Irani of carrying out “a political witch-hunt by trying to pressurise” authorities to close down the Jais Vocational Training Centre at Amethi, the Lok Sabha constituency of party vicepresident Rahul Gandhi.

The party also welcomed the Allahabad high court’s interim order allowing the centre to continue with its activities.

“This has effectively stalled the UP government’s efforts to close down the centre at the behest of Smriti Irani and the BJP’s political manouvres,” said Randeep Singh Surjewala, Congress chief spokesperson.

Terming it a big victory for the women of Amethi, he said the order ensures that vocational training activity at the centre will carry on “unabated and without interference” from government.

Surjewala said the government had allotted the land to Manuj Kalyan Kendra (MKK), a not-for-profit organisation, for vocational training purposes more than three decades ago.

The Rajiv Gandhi Mahila Vikas Pariyojana (RGMVP) is merely providing training on behalf of the MKK, which remains the land allottee.

“By repeatedly questioning RGMVP, the Uttar Pradesh government was deliberately trying to politicise the issue by sending notices, manhandling and threatening women, and physically visiting the premises asking threatening questions,” he said.

“This is part of a political witch-hunt carried out by Smriti Irani who has made speeches and held meetings with the district administration, directing them to take coercive action on the issue,” Surjewala said.

SURJEWALA SAID THE ORDER ENSURES THAT VOCATIONAL TRAINING AT THE CENTRE WILL CARRY ON ‘WITHOUT INTERFERENCE’ FROM THE GOVERNMENT