Srinagar, January 14
Amrish Puri, who played a villain par excellence in reel life and a hero with a tender heart in real life, felt sad about the situation in Kashmir, recalls Mr Ashraf Sahil, Director, Commercial Broadcasting Service (CBS) of Radio Kashmir, Srinagar.

Puri, many recall, had his last visit to Kashmir in early 1998 for the shooting of Rattan Irani's film 'Meray Apnay', which is yet to hit the silver screen. It was in May 1998 that Rattan Irani ventured to shoot for his film in the troubled Kashmir.

The presence of the film unit comprising over a hundred persons was like a whiff of fresh air after nearly a decade of violence and boosted the government's effort to revive tourism in the valley.

Amrish Puri was here during the 40-day long stay of the unit in Gulmarg and Srinagar outskirts. "When we were in the process of celebrating golden jubilee celebrations of Radio Kashmir, Srinagar, he had an occasion to participate in one of its programmes," recalls Mr Sahil.

Accompanied by other members of the unit, including Vikram Gokhle, Mukul Dev, Mayuri Kango, Dinesh Hangoo and others, Amrish Puri was honoured at a function at the auditorium of Radio Kashmir, Srinagar.

As he appeared on the stage over 200-strong elite audience were thrilled and calmed down only after he recited his often quoted line "Mugambo Khush Hua," recalls Mr Bashir Ahmad.

Mr Ashraf Sahil says he had various other occasions to meet the departed film personality, particularly during the launching of Kashir (Kashmiri) Channel of the Doordarshan. Mr Sahil also recalls that Amrish Puri, who was a friend of former chief minister Farooq Abdullah, "had great love for Kashmir. He wanted restoration of peace in Kashmir".

Puri was a professional to the core and when this correspondent approached him for his comments, Puri said, "First I will do my job".

Several others remember Amrish Puri for his presence here during the turbulent years when he had expressed his love for Kashmir. Mr Mohammad Shafi, a taxi driver, who was among over a dozen others associated with the unit, recalls his humane approach contrary to many of his roles on the screen.

One of his associates recall how Puri loved Kashmir and wished to uplift the shattered economy of those associated with tourist trade.

"He was averse to the belief that it was dangerous to be in Kashmir because of the troubled situation," commented Mr Ali Mohammad, another taxi driver, who remained with the unit for over a month.

It had been a friendly atmosphere during those days with the unit, even as Amrish Puri stayed in a hut at Cheshma Shahi overlooking Dal lake.

Mr Ali Mohammad adds that the presence of the film unit had helped a great deal different people associated with the tourist trade after several years of slackness.

Srinagar, January 14
Militants shot dead an Ikhwan counter-insurgent and his mother in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said today.

Ikhwan activist Gowhar Ahmad Ganai and his mother were killed when a group of militants intruded into their house at Muniwar in Anantnag late last night and fired indiscriminately on them, the sources said.

Ganai died on the spot, while his mother was critically injured while shielding him.

She later succumbed to her injuries.

No militant outfit has so far claimed responsibility for the killing. — PTI