In Residence

I came to Mumbai about 60 years ago, in ’43. I’ve lived in Juhu at Iris Parkfor over 40 years. In the early days I was a tramp, I lived anywhere, with whoever I knew.I lived with Khwaja Ahmad Abbas for a few days, also with Raja Rao. I’ve even livedin a chawl in Parel for a few months. Before I moved to Juhu I lived in Bandra, in almostthe same spot where I have my office, dubbing studio and penthouse now. I lived in arented place in the beginning and our apartment had been lived in by Mr Toubro of Larsenand Toubro.

A number of us used to share the place—my brother Chetan Anand, Zohra Segal andher husband Kameshwar Segal. It used to be fun, setting out each morning, looking for workwith hope in our hearts. World War II was still on. I built my Juhu house in ’50.Juhu was a small village then and there was total wilderness. I liked it because I’ma loner. Juhu has become very crowded now, too full of people, especially on Sundays.It’s not the same beach any longer. My Iris Park residence doesn’t have a parkanymore, there is a school and four bungalows bang opposite my place. I’ve spent allthese years raising my walls for privacy, otherwise the neighbours can look straight intoour rooms. Our exclusive road is not exclusive any longer. I can’t enter my housebecause the lane is crowded, there are crowds outside my door. Often I have to drive pastquietly and tell the watchmen not to let people know I’m in.

(As told to Lata Khubchandani)