Worst Experience of My Life

A couple of months ago, I was taking auditions for our next south film project and I happened to come across this model Bhavna Tiwari referred by some coordinator. She was rejected. A month ago, she approached me asking for tips she could work on to get selected for south projects. I asked her to meet later as I was heading to a marriage at Hyderabad. Three weeks ago, she reminded me on this again. I asked her to work out on her structure a lot as she was very healthy. Two weeks ago, she requested me for south costumes and collected them from home, took a portfolio and returned them to me in 4 days. She really reduced a lot!! I referred her to a couple of directors; one even short-listed her in an item number for his upcoming film. Happy beginning!!

A week ago, I got a call around 3:15am from Rly Police station saying some girl met with an accident. She was hit by the last local around 00:45am and was badly injured, lost her left shoulder, back chopped off slightly, and unconscious. They found my number in her mobile contact list, and they were trying to trace for any information about her as she dint carry any identification of hers, and hardly any chances of survival. By 7am, I was with all possible information in front of the Railway Senior Inspector Kariaji, which helped them trace her brother Chandan, through whom we learned about her poor family status. So I approached few film personalities who came forward to help her financially. She was in coma for 2 days and I received a call again from the RSI Kariaji appreciating and thanking me for my help and also informing me that Bhavna gained her conscious but unable to identify her family members. An hour later, at around 8pm, received a call from Chandan with the same piece of information, additionally asking me for my financial support. I dint tell him about the big figures we planned to present the next morning. A tragedy twist but falling back into place slowly!!

The same evening, the 3rd of Sep, it was all noisy due to Ganesh Chaturdi festival. I received a call again around 11:30pm from Chandan who was bitterly crying over the call. I understood but dint wanna hear a bad news, however he said it, she passed away. Tears rolled down my cheeks instantly, just because somebody I interacted in the past couple of months just passed away. I was told she would be cremated within an hour as the body was already in its worst condition. I spent the rest night informing all those whom I know, and also whom she knew, about the tragedy, especially to those who came forward with financial support, one producer Biswas, one Industrialist Karan and the other businessman & financier Syamji. We all dropped our hospital visit plans and decided to help with little amount at the time of any memorial ceremony that would be conducted at her place. A U-turn again!!

Morning, Chandan called back with updates on the cremation service, and of course asking me for any financial support to perform a Memorial Ceremony after 15days. This was anyway part of our updated plan. I dint reveal it. I gave one of Bhavna’s best portfolio pictures for lamination. Mumbai was celebrating Ganesha festival on the 4th of September and I was thinking about Bhavna alone. I was looking at her photo shoot pictures on my laptop which were suppose to be collected today by her. I also took a deep look at my unwashed clothes worn by her, lying in the washing machine. Chandan called up multiple times saying he wants to meet me but I told him I was caught up somewhere, now that I know the reasons. Actually I was, in fact, WE were, discussing how could we help that family which lost their sole earner. Finally I wanted to get back to work, as it’s been 5 days now that we all did nothing ELSE! So I wrapped up all household work early and sat with my laptop to scribble the next lines of my unfinished script. Back to work !!

5th September onwards, I started attending calls on my other numbers too. One such call, a call from some self claimed upcoming director Sanjiv Kumar approached me requesting for a good script for a TV series on DD channel. He also is in need of a script for Bollywood actor Vivek Oberai. We spoke multiple times during the day about the same. Finally I was convinced to meet him up for narration the next day. The next morning, before I went to bed to catch up some sleep (my usual resting hours for few years now), he turned up at my doorstep! I was convinced once again that I had a bad memory about giving my address to him last year. We spent a good 5-6hrs discussing from story lines to locations to star cast. Though we dint take a break for food or nature calls, the discussions were constructive enough, yes, but I was uncomfortable somehow, as I found him less a listener and more an interrupter. This was noticed and he told me I look lost. He then asked me to think of any girl oriented story, something like a story about a young girl who comes to city with a big dream. I just rattled on about Bhavna's incident and he instantly asked me to confirm that for the TV serial. We spent another 1.5-2hrs on this. I was made to avoid any phone call in between. By now, my patience was totally tried and I had to ask him to leave for the day saying that I would revert to him soon. What a waste of time, I felt.

I was back on script the whole night but had an appointment the next morning. Before the set alarm buzzed, here buzzed the incoming calls from Chandan!! I kept the mobile on silent mode and went for a shower. It’s already 10:30am and I might get late if I attend the call! After arranging the bed, started checking for any other missed calls when I received a call from some landline number. Now that I am all set to leave for the meeting, I attended the call and it was none again but Chandan!! Before I could even wish him with a hello, he started off demanding for Rs.50,000/- saying that I owe Bhavna that amount and if I don't pay to him within an hour, I would have to face the consequences!! I know I don’t owe her anything. In fact, she owes the same total amount to the makeup man and the photographer whom I referred, whom I might have to pay if they ask for! Chandan sounded quite rude and arrogant. His salutation changed from ‘sister’ to ‘madam’. He dint wait for me to say anything but carried on reading out my address perfectly (to let me know he traced my residence successfully) and giving me few names who are witnesses for this debt of mine to Bhavna. After he disconnected the call, I found 17 missed calls from him on the log! May be someone rightly said, when your kindness is treated as your weakness, you would have the worst nightmares. I thought this was the worst nightmare!! I dint know there was a better one waiting...

7th September, I cancelled my appointment for the day immediately and rang up to the same RSI Kariaji explaining him the entire situation and he confirmed if I really owe her anything. When I gave a NO reply, he asked me to crosscheck with Bhavna herself on why her brother Chandan was doing this. I reminded him with a big laugh over the phone, as if I just flew back from a comedy land "Sir, wish Bhavna was alive to answer me. Did u drown Bhavna's case along with your Ganesha idol?" Now it’s his turn to return my expression. "Martin madam, I know you are upset about what is happening but wonder what made you mention her dead". I thought I heard a joke and I reconfirmed, "Not a time to joke sir. Isn't Bhavna dead?" Now isn't this the worst of the worst nightmares to hear "My Ganesha is still a guest at our home Martin madam. How can I say so when she is absolutely alive and is being discharged today"? - "Did she so quickly recover with such serious injuries?" - "Not completely madam but she is being discharged from this hospital to another. She is very lucky, survived 100%. She would also be getting a plastic hand shortly. You dint make any visit after Ganesha festival. You would have been very happy to see her talk normal" - "But how Kariaji? She was unable to recognize anybody and was also in a pathetic condition! Chandan also said they cannot afford even a scan!" - "No no madam. The same night I told you she opened her eyes and gave the statement, she underwent a minor brain surgery. This brought her back to normal and thereafter, she started recovering pretty quickly. She even signed some serial..." - "With whom!?" - "I don't remember his name. He visited her more than 10 times in the past 3 days. He is some director.. wait... yes, here is his name..Sujit Kumar Puri" - "May I please have his number Kariaji?" - "Sure madam, here it is..".  I was still in a shock, thunderstruck, when I saw Chandan's call waiting. I mentioned the same to the Kariaji and he asked to report in the nearby police station immediately and bring the copy to them so that he could take immediate action. Thanking him, I gave way to Chandan's waiting call - "Madam, is the money ready? I will be there shortly". I was unable to think of anything else. "Chandan, can you please come at 4pm? Because I am outside somewhere and I would be home by 3-3:30pm only" - "Sure. I will be INSIDE your house by sharp 4pm".

I took a deep look at the name and number given by Kariaji. Absolutely unknown name! Quickly I dialed the number, eager to find more info. Display showed dialing 'Director Sanjiv Kumar'. Now that’s an added nightmare!! I wasted no minute but quickly informed Biswasji, Karan and Syamji, the same subjected people in conference. It’s the worst nightmare to all of us. Only we know what amount of time and money we spent personally and on calls since the minute we heard about Bhavna's accident. Though we hardly know anything about her, we dint deny the fact we KNOW her and tried our best with pure humanity sense. And see the price paid for our humanity! I called up Chandan and asked him his personal details like age and house address, saying that I am in a police station reporting the scenario and need his details immediately. He said he thought it was me by mistake, that owe his sister and disconnected the call. No call back!!

I called up the so called director Sanjiv and asked him for an explanation. He said that he is a member of an NGO and is helping Bhavna through his political/film contacts, that he could also get me arrested in no time with his power but after meeting me, he liked me as a person and wanted me to work for him as a writer and his partner, that he approached me because he wanted to know more about Bhavna and he felt I was the only source, that if I don’t agree to work then I would be at huge loss, and so on. "Sanjiv ji, you know my name. You came home yesterday and you have my all details. Anything else you are missing out on to get me arrested, please feel free to ask me and I would be more than glad to help you with that. Now you can proceed happily, I don't mind".

It's 2pm and I dint waste a minute. As per my discussions with my supporting team, I went to the nearby Kanakia police station and asked them to take my complaint. They spoke in Marati and I went slowly in Hindi as I am a stranger to their regional language. I explained them the whole situation and they asked me to go and report it the same police station where the case was handled. I told them that I checked with that station first and I have to report it here in my area as per their instructions. One Mr. Navichand Kavde was frustrated with my bold answer and shouted back, "Who gave this nonsense? Connect me to whom you spoke? Let me hear from the horse’s mouth what was told exactly?" May be Mr. Kavde thought I was lying that I was referred here, or may be he thought I was creating the whole story itself !! In a moment, Kariaji was on phone line with me again. I told him what happened and passed over the phone to Mr. Kavde. They spoke something in Marati for a couple of minutes; I could see the changes in his face clearly, his face turning redder. After that, Mr. Kavde cut the call and threw my phone shouting "What are you thinking about yourself? How dare you connect me to the Sr Inspector directly?" I was just trying to get my phone back in shape "Sir, but you asked me to connect me to the person who asked me to go here.." - "Just shut up and go stand in that corner... oye, come here... whats your name? where did you come from? whose your husband? where do you reside? when so many other people are there, whey is that boy calling you only? how many times did you meet him? what all did you speak to him? any promises between you both?...." Now it’s getting above my head. Wish he spoke in English so that I assumed atleast the usage of the YOU word came out of respect to a lady. "Well Mr. Kavde, I am not a kid standing in front of you. Do you want me to remind you anything on RESPECT?" I pulled out one of my identity cards that hold a PRESS logo and along with it came out my mobile Bluetooth. "Shut down your phone now.. give that thing here.... now just answer to my questions if you want to write a complaint". - "Do you want me to walk way from here now? Please tell me, I can do that. But the least I expect from you is treating me as a lady". He gestured to a constable and asked him to take the complaint. I narrated the whole thing again to the new guy, and then turned to Mr. Kavde - "Don't mind but one thing sir. I now understood why none come forward to help even if they see somebody dying on the road. With people like you in this department, no wonder our humanity only applies to the worst. I think I fulfilled the basic responsibility of a human by helping that lady there when she was in trouble, and of being a citizen by coming to you in my trouble. I wish I never helped anybody ever". There was no more frustration or anger on his face, but it sure dint have a smile either. He narrated something in Marati which was scribbled by the constable, later signed by him. Now the copy of NC is in my hands. I asked to mention his number at the bottom and he told me to meet somebody else for that and the police help lines are open 24hrs and that I can reach on them anytime. It was 8:30pm already.

I returned back home disturbed in mind. Spoke to a couple of friends of mine close to my heart to feel better. Offered a little prayer to the Alimighty and decided to scribble this in my blog. No special reasons but I read my previous blog. It was speaking about the country where one Anna Hazare was sincerely fighting with the government with corruption, the government which was formed by selfish people. I wish he rather fought with the people for HUMANITY and ultimate result, uncorrupted society and the uncorrupted government and hence an uncorrupted nation.

It's morning already and I have to visit Kariaji with the police NC. Biswasji, Karan and Syamji would be joining me there. I would update you with the status after my return home.