This refers to the special issue of the Agenda (January 5). Please accept my heartiest congratulations to The Pioneer on its 150th anniversary. The special supplement came as a precious new year's gift. From Sardar Patel to Indira Gandhi to Gulzar, the personalities were covered in marvellously written articles. But among the Indian film figures, Ashok Kumar as the first superstar, stood out. He was a natural actor whose name once guaranteed a film's success. He had worked with three generations of actors — from the Dilip Kumar-Raj Kapoor-Dev Anand trinity to Sunil Dutt and Dharmendra to Navin Nishchol and Sanjeev Kumar.
Ashok Kumar's second innings was equally successful as he gave powerful performances. In BR Chopra's Kanoon, he essayed a double role. His comic caper wherein he paired with the legendary Pran was in Victoria No.203. Many of his other films too will be remembered for long. The imprint of Dadamoni's acting on Indian celluloid will remain for ever.
