Extraordinary! Unprecedented! January 16, 2016 ? The grand finale of BRMC?s last awards night ?will be remembered for something that was unscripted. Indeed, completely unexpected, yet memorable at the same time.

 

All six recipients of the 2016 awards- Alibhai?s son, Ameen Sayani, Helen Khan, writer Juhi Chaturvedi, Niraj Ghaywan and Dharmendra were in their seats by 7 pm. 

Amongst the front row audience sat special invitees Kamini Kaushal, Saroj Khan,and the 92 year old Debu Sengupta, Bimal Roy?s only surviving AD. On the stage Sarangi maestro Dhruba Ghosh and Yogesh Samsi were performing a special duet as homage to Bimal Roy. As Helen Khan gracefully stepped into the darkened hall, one could sense a hush and breaths being held to see the iconic dance diva in person. 

1. Soon after,Dharmendra arrived in a blue suit with a group of his trusted entourage. The BRMC chairperson, Rinki Roy Bhattacharya personally welcomed these dignitaries at the beautifully lit up Bhavan?s gate. A posse of eager photographers closely followed the celebrated yester-year stars. Every second, flash lights made one wink. When Dharmendra spotted Debu Senafter a gap of almost 55 years,it was as though the floodgates of nostalgia had burst open. The two could not contain their joy at meeting each other.

When the two were invited for the honouring ceremony on the stage, Dharmendra threw all caution to the wind and from being an awardee, he took over the proceedings. He regaled the audience with stories of working with Bimal Roy, cracking up the amazed audience with little known anecdotes. He confessed not knowing what a crossed cheque was when he was given a Bank of India cheque of 1000 rupees as the signing amount by Bimal Roy Productions. He was candid saying, ?Agar Bimal da mujhenahibulate, shaayad main actor hi nahibanta?..

 

His admission that the Bimal Roy award was his highest honour till date made us all proud of the work we do at the Bimal Roy Memorial. Reputed to be a recluse, not only did he come, he came, and conquered us all with his spontaneity, his simplicity and his lack of inhibition. All those present burst into tumultuous applause as this remarkable actor, who still claims he is a ?jaat?, and that he speaks from the heart, not head?.

 

January 16 will be remembered for being a night extraordinaire, for bringing together forgotten legends, amid emerging talents.Keeping legacy alive demandssustained, if not ceaseless work.

 

From its inception in February 1997, the Bimal Roy Memorial & Film Society has been involved in recognizing the contribution of a steadily vanishing era of Indian cinema through the homage to outstanding individuals. Many of those honoured work behind the scenes. The homage paid to Screen?s self effacing photo journalist ? the late Mr Kumtakar, is just one instance. The seminal work by this quiet organisation includes paying tribute to a make- up artist Pandari dada, the man whose artistry turns plain faces into divine beauty. Similarly, Mr P.K.Nair, the pillar behind the National Film Archives of India was justly honoured in 2013.

 

As we move on towards the less travelled road, once again we salute the tremendous legacy left to us by cinema?s pioneers.