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The gods have effected a cruel move. Death came unexpectedly for Anant Balani. A life cut short even before he realised his dream. Destiny has been cruel to this director who would have made it big. He was currently involved in shooting the high profile film Chameli starring Kareena Kapoor and Rahul Bose with Kareena essaying the role of a call girl.
Anant Balani, 42, passed away on 28th August at around 9 pm at Nanavati hospital in Mumbai after he suffered a massive heart attack. Balani started his career with films like Gawahi and Phool Aur Pathar, which didn't do much for him. But, recently he showed a desire to do different films in keeping with today’s trends and had finished three films - Joggers Park for Subhash Ghai's Mukta Arts, Ek Din and Mumbai Matinee. And a fourth one, Chameli, which would have given Kareena the role of a lifetime, remains unfinished.
Perizaad Zorabian who stars in both Joggers Park and Mumbai Matinee was caught in tears at the Nanavati Hospital. Consoling Anant's wife, mother and brother, Perizaad said, "I can't believe it. He had three films ready for release and he couldn’t see even one of them opening. We worked so hard on them and had so much fun together. I don’t see him only as a director. He was my very dear friend, in fact I would tease him that we were doing films together, so we would come in a package deal! I can’t believe he's no more. Please pray for him."
Balani directorial debut was with Gawahi long back in 1989, with Zeenat Aman, Ashutosh Gowariker, Shekhar Kapur and Ranjeeta. His next venture Patthar Ke Phool came in 1991. The film starred Raveena Tandon and Salman Khan. A long hiatus followed. He recently surfaced with Joggers' Park, Mumbai Matinee, Ek Din and the unfinished Chameli. He had also made his mark earlier on the smaller screen with serials like A Mouthful Of Sky and Kabhi Kabhi.
His unexpected end leaves Bollywood shocked. A director who would have made it big. The themes of his soon-to-be released movies point to that. But sadly, he won’t be there at the theatres to watch his works being applauded. A big loss indeed.
Lata Khubchandani
India Syndicate
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