Kaka wasn’t arrogant as rumoured against him, instead was a kind hearted super star

There had been lots of rumours n whispering campaign about Kaka when he was alive, that at times he was too arrogant, proudy , eccentric, harsh n obstinate in temperament and behaviour with colleagues. This was not correct fully, but at times it did happened. Actually he wasn’t an exception as these elements usually exist in every human being, particularly in the personalities’ like Kaka who had seen the peak of his Stardom days with cheers n popularity syndrome all around n lateron  falling from from mount everest to right on to the ground. From superstardom to an era when he had no films with him. 

Not only these complacent days but his alleged protracted estrangement /disassociation with his wife resulting in lonliness will make any person arrogant n eccentric at times said those personally known to him. But it was not exactly true. At times, particularly after drinking sessions he used to be arrogant but usually he was a very well behaved n affable human being with a glowing, smiling face .

As the story goes there had been few incidents in Mumbai n even in Delhi when kaka in a fit of rage or anger in the midnight used to slap his chamchaas or servants who willingly disobeyed his orders but at the same time the very next day after realizing his mistake or fault, used to literally apologise n give them a good amount of money including leave to go to their hometown for somedays and be with the family.

These are the incidents of his hey days when he was in massive limelight with his super duper hit  blockbustre movies making him the first ever superstar of Indian Film Industry gaining the aura of a God like image as was Sachin Tendulkar in Indian cricket during his hey days.   In one of the instances narrated to me by an insider, once kaka came late night after attending a party while living in ashirvaad. He was tired n it was around 2 or 3.00 am . 

When kaka reached ashirvad alongwith his friend or secretary he blowed the horn of his car number of times driven by him. Even knocked the main entrance of ashirvad repeatedly  but of no avail. Perhaps the tired guard was sleeping . After tremendous efforts the guard opened the door of the main entrance coming out rubbing his eyes. By the time Kaka had become too furious in anger. He could’nt control his anger and in a fit of rage he slapped the guard n went inside n slept.

Next afternoon when Kaka got up he realized his blunder n called the guard/servant n literally asked sorry. He felt heartily aplogetic. Kaka wasted no time to immediately give him Rs  5000  n asked him to take leave for few days n come after enjoying his vacations with family. The servant did’nt mind and felt great seeing Kaka realising his mistake n instead responded by saying : Sir, it was my mistake to have kept you waiting at the gate for long and since it was my fault , rather I ask sorry. Kaka was really moved.  

Kaka had a sense of realization n respect for his subordinates and  would usually compensate by helping them financially and even feeling apologetic to the person hailing from the lowest ebb. Similarly, in Delhi a Congress worker who worked for Kaka in all his three consecutive elections namely Ashok Randhawa was helped by kaka because of which he is today financially well off. Randhawa has a small shop alloted to him by NDMC at Tees January Lane, near hotel Claridges.

It was the only source of income for his family’s sustenance . Having been located at Tees January Lane there were hardly any income due to lack of customers. On Randhawa’s request Kaka used his influence as a  New Delhi MP n allegedly got the shop transferred to Sarojini Nagar which was actually not only not technically feasible but was a tedious job as well during those days. Sarojini Nagar Market is one of the best markets in Delhi n today Randhawa is earning handsomely after the change of location  of his shop from Tees january lane to Sarojini Nagar, New Delhi. Kaka while living in Sarvapriya Vihar residence had a maid whom  kaka helped a lot. He bore the total expenses of her son’s marriage n arranged for the dinner , tent n other things for 400 people in Delhi apart from many other expenses through his friend Naresh Juneja n Vipin Oberoi etc. In one of the interesting instances , Kaka once had a male servant.

There was a black out in his house due to some tecnical fault. Kaka could not see properly and handed him a wad of 100, five hundred rupees notes by mistake, i.e. rs 50000 instead of a wad of 100, hundred rupees notes for house hold expenses and his salary etc. The next day, while Kaka was unaware of this fact, the honest servant himself  came to him n gave back  Rs 50000. Kaka realized his mistake n patted the servant for his honesty. He immediately gave him Rs. 5000 as tip/or prize money for exhibiting the honesty. Such was Kaka’s generous heart. 

Similarly as a story goes when he was in Mumbai his private secretary was a gentleman from Bengali origin. Kaka gave him a Rajdoot motor cycle  more than three n a half decades ago n also bought for him a flat which he hesitatingly refused even after Kaka’s repeated requests. Kaka always cared about his staff n close friends especially, those in need.

For several days Kaka had put the keys in his office drawer n told him whenever his mind changes, he can have the keys n shift to the flat. But his secretary couldn’t gather the courage to accept Kaka’s offer. Today, he is still living in a rented house in Mumbai n Kaka has gone forever. But the memories are still fresh in his mind. This incident was narrated to me by a cordinator of a News Channel after Kaka’s sad demise. I too was given a two wheeler by Kaka who also used to help me financially as well, when ever I used to ask for during my close proximity with him assisting him during elections and thereafter from 1991 onwards for a decade or so. 

Kaka was soft n kind to his friends and those who helped him during elections n thereafter. I fondly remember once I was in the druplex Vasant Kunj flat of Kaka where he was all alone. it was about 10 in the night. Kaka had invited me for drinks n dinner. Even his cook n servant were not there, probably on leave. I wondered what about the dinner. Kaka n me gossiped merrily while enjoying drinks n watching programmes small sized coloured television. I was heartily impressed by Kaka’s generosity when he brought a delicious non vegetarian  dinner for both of us from the Kitchen after warming it on his oven and asked me to sit on the carpet with him. He gently served the dishes n we both dined together. It was indeed an un forgettable dinner with a first superstar of Bollywood . Since it was by 12.00 AM or more time, may be 1.00 by then, he showed me the room upstairs n asked me to sleep there instead of going home at late such late hours. Great memories  with a super star.