In 1975 to celebrate 100th show of our Theatre Academy, Pune’s original Marathi Production Vijay Tendulkar’s: Ghashiram Kotwal, we invited Dilip Kumar and Shashi Kapoor as the chief guests. Thereafter not many know that Dilip Kumar became our friend. There were many occasions where Jabbar Patel, Anil Joglekar and me were invited to his home on the Pali Hill. Several story ideas were discussed to make film. Story drafts were discussed but never materialised. But we became friends. Dilip Kumar used to speak Marathi fluently. He had seen many popular Marathi Sangeet Natak’s. Sometime at his home he will take out harmonium and sing old Marathi theatre song made popular by Bal Gandharva. Dilip Kumarji and Saira ji used to visit Pune during weekends. They used to stay at famous Turf Club and used to invite Ghashiram actors Gang for a high tea and chat. Above is one photograph of their 1993 visit to Turf Club Pune. Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu seen with ( from left: Satish Ghatpande, Dilip Gokhale, Avinash Limaye, Arvind Thakar, and Suresh Basale) We lost all these three actors over the years.

Five minutes monologue of Dilip Kumar in 1953 film Foothpath written and directed by Zia Sarhadi

A popular actor of yester years, Lalita Kenkre, passed away in her sleep peacefully on 28th July 2020 morning. She was 86. Wife of noted theatre director, actor, designer Damoo Kenkre, mother of director Vijay Kenkre, Lalitatai was the sister of Sudha Karmarkar, and along with her, a noted actor herself who did many major roles in Sahitya Sangh and Lalitkaladarsh. She was a student of Parshwanath Altekar and a contemporary and colleague of Vijaya Mehta. Coming from a traditional background of Sangeet Natak, she made a mark in plays by P. L. Deshpande, Vijay Tendulkar, Vidyadhar Gokhale, Shirwadkar. With her passing, Marathi theatre has lost a major actor. Lalitatai did memorable roles in films, especially of Sai Paranjape, Katha being one. मृतात्म्यास सद्गती लाभो.
Lamenting her death, Kamlakar Sontakke said; “Lalita Kenkre was a versatile actor of Mumbai Marathi Sahtya Sangha. She was supportive of young Theatre people and experimental groups. May her soul rest in peace”.

Lilette Dubey adds: “For me she was full of love and warmth .. we rehearsed for 5/6 years in her top flat (which she gave generously to theatre wallahs ) in Kala nagar .. with on the house tea and often snacks ! God bless her .. she will be missed!”