Sathya Saran - Being Ritu: The Unforgettable Story of Ritu Nanda

CONTENTS

A N EMINENT, ICONIC PERSONALITY ON HER RETURN TO DELHI AFTER her visit to Bombay exulted, I saw the prettiest girl todayRaj Kapoors daughter, Ritu.

That was how I was introduced to her years ago.

And then, one day in time, she became my samdhan, the mother-in-law to my daughter, Shweta.

She had an effusive presencea fragrance of happy cheer accompanied her and encompassed all that came in her vicinity.

She knitted everlasting relationships with all she met. Ever giving, ever caring, ever gracious in her demeanoura rarity in this one-sided, scissor-wielding world we live in now.

There was a reverential presence surrounding her; armoured with grit and fight, she lived life in the beauty of each season.

Ritu: the season of all seasons!

P ERHAPS IT WAS THE FACT THAT THERE WAS ONLY A YEAR AND A half between our ages that made us so close as siblings, but Ritu was whom I felt closest to. And throughout her life, she continued to surprise me with her spirit.

Though she married into a successful business family, she became a symbol for women who need to be their own person. One quality I admired about her was her commitment to worksomething she probably learnt from her husband. I was shocked at how the docile sister I grew up with turned into a tigress where her work was concerned. I saw her entrepreneurship emerging slowly, learning as she went along. I spent a lot of time with her, and saw her metamorphosis through its stages. And what she achieved with her stint with Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), or with Rimari was astounding.

We went along with her to support her with our star presence at events, but in reality, she was the crowd-puller. Her charisma reached out to embrace everyone she interacted with, and it was genuine. There was nothing false about her.

I learnt so much from her; and she knew how to harvest the best quality in each of us.

I am not saying all this because she was my sister. But because I admired her so much. And I think this book will convey the qualities that were unique to her and, in turn, inspire many other women who want to live to their full potential.

My sister had so much love to share, I dont think I loved her enough. She gave me so much. I dont think I gave back in equal measure.

Her life and the way she lived it was exemplary. No one who reads about it will remain untouched by her love.

Randhir Kapoor

I know that this book just had to be written. My sisters life story had to be told. There is so much in the way she lived life that can provide inspiration to anyone, regardless of age and station in life. In truth, she continues to inspire me.

Throughout my life, I have depended on her for strength, encouragement and support. Though in the last few years, the tables were turned, and it was I who had to be that support for her. I was comforted to know that in whatever little way I could, I could help.

But in her toughest moments, she gave us strength the fortitude to put on a brave face, despite knowing she was suffering. We both drew strength from each other. I always thought I needed her, but I know deep down she needed me too. Sadly, I did not realize till her last days how much she needed me.

This book is about her resilience, her ability to help anyone who needed her help. She had this amazing way of encouraging and supporting people, of making them think for themselves till they found the channel that was perfect for them.

In my own case, for one, Rimari was started to encourage me to work and attach purpose to what I was doing in life. Something as simple as giving the company part of my name and hers made me feel accountable for something that was bigger than me. How many people will think of this simple way to gather a reluctant, lazy sibling into her fold?

In the last eight years, I got to spend so much time with her and learn so much from her because even in her most difficult times she was a fountain of strength and knowledge for me.

She taught me so much, without ever seeming to; never chastising me or telling me I was wrong. I imbibed a lot from watching her with her family, her calmness, her sense of balance. It helped me in navigating my own relationships, despite my more fiery temperament.

Ritu was the goalpost I aspired to. Her nature, her pristine calm, her all-encompassing love and her talent to rise above every hurdle are aspects of her life that anyone reading this book will be inspired by.

Rima Jain

T HE YEAR 1948. INDIA IS TRYING OUT INDEPENDENCE, WITH varying results. Early in the year, on 30 January, the man who spearheaded the independence movement and won India its freedom is shot dead. Even as the nation mourns Mahatma Gandhis death, political moves strengthen the country, knitting it into one, as princes and nawabs cede their power and blend their kingdoms into the Republic.

The year 1948. Hindi cinema takes great strides into the future. This is the year that a yet-to-be recognized singer, Mohammed Rafi, sings Is dil ke tukde hazar hue, a song that wins him the attention of Hindi film music director Naushad for whom he will soon sing a series of evergreen solos. It is also the year when Ziddi, based on a story by Ismat Chughtai, launches Dev Anand as the lead hero, besides ensuring star status for Kamini Kaushal and Pran. Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar record their first duet Yeh kaun aaya. Two hit films, Shaheed and Mela, place the hero, Dilip Kumar, in the forefront of the new stars of Hindi films.

And for Raj Kapoor, the year brings its own bounty. He has just decided to turn directorthis young man of twenty-fourand to that end has set up RK Films and launched Aag, directed by and starring himself.

And he is about to become a father again!

On 30 October, when he sees the light green eyes of his newborn daughter reflecting his own, the man, who has already been building a reputation as a stealer of hearts, loses his forever. Ritu will always remain his favourite princess.

In other ways too, 1948 was momentous. Born the same year, Jayalalithaa would rule over cinema in the South before stepping up to become chief minister of Tamil Nadu; Hema Malini would dance her way into the dreams of many a viewer as the ultimate dream girl. And the girl next door would find her loveable avatar in Jaya Bhaduri.

Interestingly, Jaya Bhaduri, born in a journalists family, who proved herself a consummate, well-loved actress, and Ritu Kapoor, who though born into the celebrated Kapoor family is kept away from the world of films, will find their destinies entwined. But more of that later.

For now, lets begin at the beginning: the story of Ritu Nanda ne Kapoor. A story steeped in all the qualities of the human heart that one prizes most: compassion, love, joie de vivre, generosity, courage and fortitude. A story about a person who touched the lives of everyone she met in immeasurable ways. Ways they could never forget.

Yun to aapas mein bigadte hain, khafa hote hain

Andaz

T HE HOME RAJ KAPOORS BABY DAUGHTER LIVED IN WAS INDEED FIT for a princess. Built in 1946, a year before the birth of her elder brother, Randhir, fondly called Daboo, the 3,000 sq. ft bungalow sprawled across a green patch in Deonar on the outskirts of the Mumbai suburb of Chembur. It was secluded enough to give the family privacy as the children grew, and close enough to the acreage of studio space that Raj Kapoor has acquired to make his films in. Over the years, the studio would evolve into one of the countrys most iconic spaces, the cradle for a series of path-breaking entertainers, its logo marking it out as the brainchild of an eternal romantic.