Report by Viju Mangalore, pics by Praveen Tauro Kulshekar for Daijiworld News Network – Mangalore

Mangalore, Sep 3: 'Ami Natlya Velar', a play written by Ramachandra Churya and translated into Konkani by Richie Pereira was played at the 57 monthly theatre (Moinyali Manchi) at Kalangann on Sunday, Sep 3.

The drama with lessons of moral value, 'Ami Natlya Velar' was a collective effort of the Angelore troupe of artistes. Directed by Daya Victor Lobo, the play fashioned into an excellent social drama with its sound messages.

The cast included Mazi Nazareth, Maxim D'Souza, Felix Fernandes, Felix Moras, Judith D'Souza, Praveen Neri, Victor Rasquinha, Prakash Lobo, Henry Concesso and Calvin Menezes, who put up a magnificent show.

Mandd Sobhann president Louis Pinto and Mandd Sobhann Secratary Stany Alvaris were also present at the venue.

(The story of the play was inspired by the much-talked about Ahuja murder case of 1959, involving Commander Nanavati of the Indian Navy. A separate write-up on this episode is published here. - Editor)

The Nanavati Story that Inspired Films and Books

by Richie Lasrado, Resident Editor
 

The original Kannada play 'Naavilladaaga' by Ramananda Churya was reportedly based on the real-life story of the late Commander K M Nanavati of the Indian Navy.

Old-timers may recall the sensational Prem Ahuja murder case of 1959, which involved Commander Nanavati, his English-born wife Sylvia and their businessman family friend Prem Bhagwandas Ahuja. The murder case shook the nation and got unparalleled media coverage. Many books were written and films were made on the basis of the murder episode.

The case, according to records, happened to be the last jury trial held in India and also partly led to the abolition of the jury trial system.

Kawas Manekshaw Nanavati (1935-2003), a Parsi and a commander with the Indian Navy, lived in Mumbai with wife Sylvia and two sons and a daughter. As Nanavati used to be away on duty for long durations, Sylvia allegedly developed an illicit relationship with their family friend Prem Ahuja. They were reportedly planning to get married, after Sylvia would obtain a divorce from her husband Nanavati.

An enraged Nanavati, on April 27, 1959, rushed to Ahuja's house, got into an altercation with him and shot him dead. Immediately thereafter he reported the matter to his Naval bosses and surrendered to the police. The trial became a celebrity case.

The jury decision led to appeals and finally the Supreme Court, in 1961, upheld the High Court judgement sentencing Nanavati to life imprisonment.

Nanavati, otherwise, was an upright Naval officer with an impeccable record and had been highly decorated for his meritorius service. There was a strong public opinion in his favour throughout the country. Having worked as a Naval Attache to the erstwhile Indian High Commissioner (later to become the union defence minister) Vengayil Krishnan Krishna Menon, Nanavati enjoyed the goodwill of the Nehru family as well.

A mercy petition filed with the then governor of Maharashtra, Vijayalakshmi Pandit, Nehru's sister, was considered favourably and Nanavati was released after serving the term for some time.

A remarkable aspect of the episode was that Sylvia, after Ahuja murder, stood by her husband throughout the trial and after his release, they migrated to Toronto, Canada. Nanavati passed away in 2003.

Two major films in Hindi were inspired by the murder case. Yeh Raaste Hain Pyar Ke, a suspense thriller made in 1963, with Sunil Dutt playing Nanavati, Leela Naidu as Sylvia and Rehman as Ahuja, which was directed by R K Nayyar. The only twist to the story was that in the story the wife is also killed by the husband. In spite of the immediate past backdrop of the actual story, the movie did not make much impact at the box office.

Achanak, written and directed by Gulzar, was released in 1973, with Vinod Khanna, Lily Chakravarty and Om Shivpuri forming the love triangle, perhaps put the story in a better perspective and hit on with the movie-goers very well. In this movie, Khanna played an army officer, who is sentenced to life-term.

The story, as far as Bollywood is concerned, appears to have passed into oblivion now and has not inspired any films or remakes or rehashes in recent times.