FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

FILM INDIA that her playmates came to look upon her with awe. When the Shilotri family returned to Bombay, Shobhana was sent to the Cathedral School where she stayed for a year. THE BANK GOES BROKE Shobhana continued to lead the life tf a spoilt little rich girl until 1928 when a great misfortune befell the Shilotri family. Shobhana's father had been buying gold worth lakhs but suddenly in 1928 the price of gold took a downward dive and as a result of this Shobhana's father lost several lakhs. He had other losses besides this and very soon the bank went into liquidation. The Shilotris were now very poor. Shobhana says "I was supposed to have been born with a silver spoon in my mouth but it couldn't have been real silver because my good fortune didn't last very lcng." PORTIA AT 13 She found it hard to adapt herself to this new life of poverty. The little girl who had had everything she wanted soon found that people who lived on Poverty Street had to do without a lot of the pleasanter things of life. Poverty may have robbed Shobhana of her 'wrapped in cotton wool' look but it had its compensations because it strengthened her character and altogether made her a pleasanter little girl. In 1931 the family shifted to Bangalore where Shcbhana went to Baldwin's High School. She was put into the 2nd standard but in six months she was promoted to the 6th standard. When Shobhana told me this I was inclined to be sceptical at first but then I remembered that her father was a brilliant man and I realised that he'd probably handed on some of his brain power to his daughter. In order to keep Shobhana in school and his family from starving Mr. Shilotri gave private tuitions to students. His wife also helped by teaching in a Marathi school. In December of 1931 Mr. Shilotri d;ed of haemorrhage of the heart. Shobhana says "I think my father actually died of a broken heart. He hated to see my mother working for The fan has committed suicide by now. a living and he hated to see me doing without toys and pretty clothes and as the years went by and our luck didn't turn he grew more and more depressed. I supp. se his poor heart just couldn't stand the strain." Shobhana and her mother returned to Bombay at the end of December. They stayed with Mrs. Shilotri's brother and his family. Sho bhana was sent to a convent school in Bombay where she completed her schooling. Unfortunately she was not able to appear for her Matric exam because she joined the films before then. Actually she never dreamt that she would ever become an actress, al • though she was always chosen fcr the leading roles in school concerts and once excelled in the role of Por tia when she was only 13. Den' l indulge in thin back slapping business unless you are a friend of hers. March 1942 Ten years ago all film actors and actresses were supposed to be people of shady reputation and because cf this, Shobhana's uncle was very much against her joining the films. MEETS HER PRINCE CHARMING Shobhana by now was an attractive young woman and used to move about in social circles with her mother. So it was that she came to the notice of the producers cf Shalinl Cinetone of Kolhapur who offered to make her a star. But Shobhana's uncle was horrified at the mere prospect of his niece mixing with the wolves of the film industry and the offer was turned down. Socn after this Shobhana and her mother went to live on their own. Mrs. Shilotri sold all her jewellery because they needed the money so badly and Shobhana helped her by teaching privately. It wasn't an easy life but they were happy because they were completely independent. Now it happened that the landlord of the house they were living in was a film director and had many friends among the people tf the film industry. One of these friends was a young man by the name of Samarth who had just returned from Germany and who was trying to make a name for himself as a director. He was quite a wealthy young man and was the son of the Hon. Mr. N. M. Samarth. On one of the occasions when young Samarth decided to visit the Shilotri's landlord, the Shilotris were also visiting him and here it was that young Kumar Sen Samarth met Shobhana who was soon after to become his wife. Shobhana laughs when you suggest this, but, I daresay it was a case of love at first sight and electric currents passed between the two of them in true penny novelette style. Anyway, they did find they had a great deal in common including a common b;rthday. They were both born on November 7th. Before long Shobhana and Mr. Samarth got engaged and it was at this time that Shobhana's film career began. 56