SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2015(PAGE-4) BOLLYWOOD BUZZ PERSONALITY “Bollywood is a different environment” Epitome of selfless service Despite belonging from a non-filmy Ashok Sharma background, actress Pallavi Sharda has Men are here and men are there, managed to get a foothold in the But great men are very rare. Captain Balbir Singh fondly called'Captain Sahib' by the Bollywood industry with her first film local residents and friends lived in the sleepy village of Chak Rakwalan, about 14 kilometers to the south east of Tehsil and 'Besharam'. She has now appeared in a District Headquarters of Udhampur. He belonged to the band of those selfless people who sacrifice their everything-com- fort, money and even life for the social cause. Born to Sant new avatar in her latest film Ram on Jan15, 1926 in village ChakRakwalan about 14 Kilo- meters from Udhampur,he lost his mother at a young age.He Hawaizaada' with Ayushmann Khur- received his early education at various places as his father served as a Nazar in the Revenue Department during the rana. Shabarni Basu caught up with the Maharaja'sregime and he served at various places in the then Jammu &Kashmir princely state.He said that he received his actress on films and more early education upto 2nd standard from 'Katra' school at What made you take up the Hawaizaada project? Udhampur.During this period, he was the classmate of I was very excited by the idea that it was an Indian who LalaShivCharan Gupta, the veteran BJP leader of Udham- made the first flying machine. It is a hidden moment in his- pur, who left for his heavenly abode a few years ago. He tory and I had the chance to be part of something revolu- passed the 4th class from Azad Kashmir andthe 10th class tionary. I also adored the character, Sitara, that was offered from the then Govt.High School Udhampur.However, it is very to me, a tamasha dancer with a pragmatic head who much certain that he studied at Prince of Wales College (now becomes one of the backbones of Ayushmann's charac- G.G.M.Science College, Jammu) and obtained the degree of B.Sc(Non- medical) from Lahore university in 1946.After ter Shivi. Furthermore I was getting to work with a power- graduation,hewas recruited in the Armed Forces of house of talent like Ayushmann Khurrana and a stalwart J&K.When the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir signed the like Mithun Chakraborty. I have also known how talented Instrument of Accession with the Republic of India, he joined Vibhu Puri is and was sure he was going to make an epic the Indian Army to serve in Army Education Corps.It is said film with wonderful aesthetics. that he also applied for Commissioned Officer in the Indian You have been paired up with Ayushmann Khurrana Army but being married, he was found ineligible to join the in this film, how was it working with him? Indian Army as commissioned officer.It was in the Army Edu- was only after a lot of persuasion and when the old house I had a great time working with Ayushmann. He is fun cation Corps that he developed Interest for teaching, which crumbled down that a pucca house comprising 3-4 rooms was loving and relatable, always making sure the people lasted through out his life.He retired as Subedar Major(Hony. got constructed perhaps in the late nineties. around him are happy. We come from pretty similar 'non- Captain) in Feb,1974 after serving for 28 years in the Indian He was the highest example of simplicity and would filmy' backgrounds so I think we share a common sensi- Army and devoted himself wholeheartedly for social work , always wear white PVC sleepers, trousers and often sky bility and way of thinking. I feel very lucky to have worked dance as a part of them. I am very fond of the old school especially for the promotion of education in his native village blue shirt.He would buy a new set of clothes and shoes only with him, he is supremely talented - both as an actor and musicals which inspired me to come to Bollywood in the of Chakrakwalan which had only a Primary School function- when the old got torn.He never craved for name and vocalist. first place. In the role I played in Hawaizaada, being a ing in a single 'kucha room'at that time to cater to a large area fame.Once, some eminent educationists of Udhampur Tell us about your role in Hawaizaada. trained dancer had been very helpful in allowing me to and population. including the legendery acadaemician and administrator I play the character of Sitara who is a tamasha dancer seep into the skin of the character. To begin with, he constructed a room for the local pri- Dev Raj Gupta, decided to honourCapt.Balbir Singh for his in the 1890s era. She is the love interest of Ayushmann's Do you have a role model in the industry? mary school out of his own money.The late Dev Raj Gupta outstanding and exceptional services to the society.As soon character and one of his sources of strength in his plane- After working with the stalwart Mithun Chakravarty, he ,the then Tehsil Education Officer Udhampur was so pleased as,he came to know about this fact, he stopped coming to making journey. has definitely become a role model for me. He has worked with his dedication and selfless service that headded 6th class school saying that he didnot deserve any reward.It was only to the school in 1975.Captain Balbir Singh hired the services after he was told that no award would be conferred on him While both your parents are IIT alumni and have his way up from scratch and reached insurmountable of two local educated young persons to teach the students, that he restarted coming to school.Whenever somebody PhDs in science and engineering, you have made a heights as an actor. Yet he is completely grounded, warm and encouraging of others. I am so grateful to have got- in addition to the Government appointed teacer.The school told him that he was doing a great service to the society, complete different career choice. Was there pressure was raised to the level of 7th class in the year1976 and he he would say that he was just whiling away the time as a ten to know him. on you to pursue science and take up academics as started devoting himself fully to the teaching activity and him- selfish person.He continued to render this selfless service your career path? You have acted in several international films, how self took all the six periods in the Time Table.He also con- for 31 years after his retirement when he suffered an injury I was a very good science and math student as a different is the working style here in Bollywood? structed two more rooms out of his own moneyto accomo- at home and was rendered incapable of going to school.He child, but somewhere I rebelled against this, maybe Bollywood is a very different environment to any- date the increasing number of students.Not only this,he also started the construction of two roomsand erected the because I was surrounded by engineers and scientists. thing overseas. Things happen here more sponta- donated Rs 10, 000 (a huge amount in those days) in 1982 walls but before he could complete them,he breathed his I went from being a maths award winner to purposely neously, and while initially this was a bit of a cultural to Govt. High School Krimachi where his daughter was study- last on Sep30, 2007 at Jammu and his mortal remains were failing it the next year so I could just take up humanities shock, I think gradually I have come to love this way ing in the 10th standard,in order to upgrade the Sc. laborato- consigned to flames at DevikaGhatUdhampur.God reward- subjects. Having said this, I remained very much aca- of working. It is difficult as I live between India and Aus- ry of the said school . It was primarily due to his untiring and ed him for his services in His unique way.He is survived demically inclined and went on to do an LLB/BA (Media tralia, so it is very hard to plan things in advance, some- sincere efforts that the Chakrakwalan school was raised to by his two sons ,one of whom retired as Colonel in the Indi- & Communciations/ Diploma in French). My parents thing that it not well understood by the Australian work- the 8th standard in the late seventies and then upgraded as an Army and two daughters, one of whom named Dr.Rani, never pressured me to do anything, they have always force so much. I think Bollywood also puts lead actors High School in 1992 which was his cherished dream. Now he is serving as Professor of Physics in the University of Jam- encouraged me to make my own decisions and support- on a huge pedestal, which does not happen in Aus- would spend all his time in the school teaching the students. mu.His wife and his elder daughter - in -law left for their ed my choices. tralia where hierarchy is largely shunned - that's some- He also helped the poor students in pursuing their education heavenly abode only a few months ago.My respectful trib- You debuted as a lead in Bollywood against Ran- thing I miss about Australia.