"I Can Never Forget That Special Meeting With 'Dadamuni' - Ashwani Kumar

Sometimes, certain meetings leave such a lasting impact on your mind and soul that they stay with you forever. Former Union Minister of Law and Justice, Ashwani Kumar, recently shared a memorable encounter he had with the legendary actor Dadamuni (Ashok Kumar), an experience that still remains vivid in his mind to this day.

Ashwani Kumar recounts, “This happened during the time when I was part of a delegation led by the then Congress MLA from Maharashtra, O.P. Bahl, who was visiting Vasant Dada. I had come to request Vasant Dada to accept the position of Chief Guest at a dinner hosted by actor Sanjay Dutt, and he graciously agreed.

After receiving his confirmation, we went to the dinner, which Sanjay Dutt had organized for the members of the Punjabi community. The atmosphere there felt just like a village in Punjab, with a magnificent spread of Punjabi delicacies. It was during this event that something happened that I can never forget in my life.

I spotted Dadamuni (Ashok Kumar) quietly conversing with a group of people in a garden. With my heart racing, I walked up to them, but I found myself only wanting to meet the great man, the one whose performances had won thousands of hearts. Gathering all my courage, I approached him but was hesitant to introduce myself.

 After standing there for a moment, I finally mustered the courage to tell him that I was his fan and asked if I could spend a couple of minutes alone with him. I told him that it was because of his performance in the film Kanun that I had chosen law as my profession. He seemed genuinely happy but also a bit surprised. He told me that no one had ever mentioned that his acting had inspired them to choose a career like mine.

Later, he sent me a signed video recording of Kanun, and from that moment on, a bond began between us that lasted until his final days. The memories of that time, and the special connection we shared, have kept him alive in my heart ever since."

As time passed, Ashwani Kumar’s professional commitments in the city increased, and his visits to Mumbai (which was still called Bombay back then) became more frequent. Whenever possible, he would visit Dadamuni at his residence. "Our relationship had grown to the point where I was considered part of his family. On one of my trips to Mumbai, Dadamuni invited me for a dinner where I was introduced to his family members. Without any fanfare, this national icon opened both his heart and home to a struggling, unknown lawyer who had become a close friend," said Ashwani Kumar.

Another meeting that stands out in Ashwani Kumar’s mind was in 1989 when Ashok Kumar was honored with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi. Ashwani Kumar recalls, “He invited me to the ceremony, and when I arrived, I met Aamir Khan, who at that time was a relatively unknown actor. In fact, Aamir was there to receive his first award.”

Ashwani Kumar also shared a poignant observation about Ashok Kumar’s life in his later years. "In his final years, especially after the passing of his wife, he embraced solitude. He found solace in painting, which was reflected in the silence that surrounded him and the beautiful paintings hanging on the walls of his room."

 As Ashwani Kumar reflects on the life of the legendary actor, he says, “Though he is no longer with us, his fans can proudly say that his life was a blessing, and his memories are a treasure—one that is invaluable.”

By Priyanka Yadav

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