Farrukh Jaffar…Very Few Like Her!

Before corona period started I met Farrukh Jaffar at Amausi airport on wheel chair. When I enquired where she was going to Mumbai for shooting of the bollywood movie, she just smiled. Instead of talking about movie she enquired about my wife Ila, who studied with her daughter Shaheen at La Martinere Girls College.

Whenever Farrukh Jaffer aunty saw me alone in any function she would immediately enquire about my wife which showed her affection for the family. Since childhood I have known dear aunty and family as they were living in Lawrence Terrace colony which was only 10 minutes walk from our residence.

I used to be in awe of aunty the way she used drive jeep. It was such a delight to see aunty driving her jeep in high speed while passing through my house.

Since her husband late SM Jaffer was close friend of my father they shared their morning time enjoying newspapers over a cup tea at our residence and coffee during daytime at Indian Coffee house and lunch every alternate month at their favourite restaurent Charminar in the company of common friend Sheikh Ali Raza.

All through we enjoyed the hospitality of dear aunty especially odd and bakreed. There were many first in the life of dear aunty who was one of early announcer at Vividh Bharti program. Her acting in iconic film Umrao Jaan was noticed as Rekha’s mother.

Farrukh aunty worked with all the three Khan's. She was mother of Sharukh in Swadesh, grand mother of Salman Khan in Sultan and a beedi-smoking old lady lying on cot in Peepli Live of Aamir Khan. She was also noticed as mother of Nawajuddin in a very good movie Photographer.

But her film Gulabo Sitabo as lead heroine with Amitabh Bachchan as hero was discussed in the country as well as abroad. She also got prestigious Filmfare award for her acting in Gulabo Sitabo.

Whenever I confronted her about her movies she would just smile and give casual reply, arre ye sab to chalta rehta hai. But her zest for life gave inspiration to younger generation and she regularly attended programs in Lucknow and could be seen moving in her wheel chair with elder daughter Mehru providing support and company.

Rest In Peace Aunty!