Child star of the 1950s, Daisy Irani, who happens to be the maternal aunt of actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar and director Farah Khan, has opened up about how she was raped, aged 6, by her guardian.
Narrating her story to Mumbai Mirror, Daisy said the incident happened when she, as a child star, was at the outdoors in Madras (now Chennai), shooting for a film called Hum Panchhi Ek Dal Ke (1957). It may be recalled that as a child actor, Daisy, was much sought after and had starred in many iconic films such as Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanthimala starrer Naya Daur (1957), Raj Kapoor produced Boot Polish (1954) and Raj Kapoor, Nargis starrer Jagte Raho (1956; written by the legendary Khwaja Ahmad Abbas).
She told Mumbai Mirror: "The man who did this was supposed to be my guardian. He accompanied me to a film shoot (Hum Panchhi Ek Dal Ke) in Madras. One night in the hotel room he violated me, hit me with a belt and warned me that he would kill me if I ever told anyone about what had happened."
60 years later, Daisy Irani can "recall the incident only in flashes, but I do remember the killing pain, and the visual of him belting me." She went to the sets of the film next day as if nothing had happened, she told Mumbai Mirror. Daisy Irani said that her mother got to know about the Madras incident many years later but "what could be done really?"
"That man is dead and gone. His name was Nazar. He was related to the famous singer Zohrabai Ambalewaali. Obviously, he had contacts in the film industry. My mother was hell-bent on making me a star," Daisy Irani added.
Daisy Irani decided to talk about her childhood, which she says "resembled a never-ending black comedy," to alert the parents of child artistes of today to be vigilant for their kids' safety. "Child actors have it tough. In a majority of cases they have been taken advantage of. Maybe a few have had it easy, but most don't, really," she said.
Daisy Irani is the sister of Honey Irani (mother of Farhan and Zoya Akhtar) and Meneka (Farah and Sajid Khan's mother). When her siblings entered the film industry she became "over-protective" for them.
Daisy Irani also talked about the time when her mother had asked her to dress up to meet a film producer. "When I was 15 or so, my mother made me wear a sari, padded me up with a new-fangled sponge, and left me alone with producer Mallikchand Kochar, who was planning a film called Mere Huzoor then, at his office.
It was all quite hilarious... He joined me on the sofa, and started touching me... I knew what was on his mind. I took out the sponge things and handed them to him. He was furious. Now why did I do that? Because, I've always seen the funnier side of things," she told Mumbai Mirror.
In the last few years, Daisy Irani has starred in films such as Happy New Year, Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi and Housefull.
Her nephew Farhan Akhtar has something to say about the shocking revelations.
Taking to Twitter, the actor shared a small post where he wrote that he was "heartbroken" yet "proud" that his aunt took such a brave step. He also advised everyone about the evil effects that showbiz has on children. Here’s what he had to say, “Heartbroken upon reading this article but proud that my aunt #DaisyIrani spoke up. It’s tragic to see parents push their kids to breaking point in order to achieve success vicariously through them. This should serve as wake up call for the film & TV industry. Be aware. Be warned.”
Heartbroken upon reading this article but proud that my aunt #DaisyIrani spoke up. It’s tragic to see parents push their kids to breaking point in order to achieve success vicariously through them. This should serve as wake up call for the film & TV industry. Be aware. Be warned. https://t.co/8ONbHJ21lG
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) March 23, 2018