Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Nov 2: Veteran writer-filmmaker Ved Rahi, known for directing films such as ‘Prem Parbat’ and ‘Kali Ghata’ and the popular television serial ‘Gul Gulshan Gulfam’, passed away on Sunday at the age of 93.
A gifted author and poet, Rahi was known for his exceptional command over Hindi and his native Dogri language.
Born in May 1933 in Jammu to Mulk Raj Saraf, a pioneering journalist of the region, Rahi established himself as a prominent Dogri writer in his hometown before moving to Mumbai to pursue opportunities in the film industry.
His career spanned more than 25 films, earning him recognition for writing screenplays and dialogues for several popular movies, including ‘Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi’, ‘Pavitra Paapi’, ‘Aap Aaye Bahaar Aayi’, ‘Beimaan’, ‘Mome Ki Gudiya’, ‘Sanyasi’, ‘Charas’ and ‘Bezubaan’.
As his career progressed, Rahi ventured into film direction with ‘Prem Parbat’, featuring the memorable song ‘Yeh Dil Aur Unki Nigaahon Ke Saaye’, followed by ‘Kali Ghata’, starring Shashi Kapoor and Rekha. His later directorial venture was ‘Veer Savarkar’, released in 2001. Unfortunately, the original prints of both ‘Prem Parbat’ and ‘Kali Ghata’ have been lost, leaving the films unavailable to viewers.
Rahi was also a familiar name on Doordarshan during the 1980s and 1990s, thanks to his association with popular television serials such as ‘Gul Gulshan Gulfam’, ‘Meera’, ‘Katha Sagar’, ‘Zindagi’, ‘Ehsaas’ and ‘Rishtey’.
Recalling his long association with the filmmaker, a former neighbour at New Sarvottam Society in Irla said Rahi had lived in Andheri for many years before moving in with one of his two daughters.
The neighbour also recalled that the print of Rahi's film ‘Kali Ghata’ was destroyed in a fire. He said Rahi had assisted Ramanand Sagar after arriving in Mumbai and that several people associated with Sagar's production house had purchased flats in Sarvottam Society.
Rahi received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his Dogri short story collection ‘Aale’. He was also honoured with the Rahul Sankrityayan Award and the Kusumagraj Rashtriya Sahitya Puraskar in recognition of his literary contributions.
He is survived by his two daughters, Anju Patel and Poonam Advani.