The Hindu : New Delhi News : M. Shamim passes away

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 02, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

M. Shamim passes away

Staff Reporter

The leading lights of cinema looked forward to his verdict on the latest Friday release from Bollywood and Hollywood

NEW DELHI: M. Shamim, eminent film critic and former press adviser to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the turbulent days of the Emergency, died of respiratory complications here on Friday. He was 78.

Mr. Shamim’s weekly column of film reviews appeared for well over ten years in the Delhi edition of The Hindu from December 1991 onward.

His love affair with cinema continued right up to his last days and even the constant presence of a respiratory ventilator did not prevent him from catching up with the latest releases from Bollywood and Hollywood.

His Sunday column “Cinema with M. Shamim” in The Hindu had a vast readership not only among cinemagoers but also among the leading lights of Bollywood who eagerly looked forward to his verdict on the latest Friday releas e.

Many liked his reviews for their old world charm and illuminating insights. Even when he did not like a film, he was never harsh in saying so.

Born at Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh, M. Shamim began his career in Mumbai with the Urdu daily Inquilab after acquiring a degree in journalism from London.

In the late 1960s, he joined Filmfare and began a life-long tryst with the celluloid world.

His career with Filmfare in Mumbai coincided with the golden age of Indian cinema. He was close to several leading actors and counted Dilip Kumar and Sunil Dutt among his good friends.

He even shared a paying-guest accommodation with Sunil Dutt in Lucknow, and Meena Kumari used to consult him for editing her poems.

The extensive time spent at the film sets observing master actors and directors from close quarters equipped Mr. Shamim with an extraordinary know-how of most technical and production intricacies.

As a result, his written word was taken with a great deal of respect by everyone who mattered in tinsel town.

“He knew everything about the film medium. From the lighting to the sound to the subtleties of facial expression, he was the final word on films,” recalled a former colleague of Mr. Shamim at The Times of India.

He was transferred to Delhi after he expressed a desire to cover politics. He served as Chief Reporter with The Times of India in the Capital and was close to Mrs. Gandhi during the Emergency.

“A few days before her assassination, he advised Mrs. Gandhi to be wary as he could sense trouble brewing. The Prime Minister brushed his concern aside saying that risk to one’s life was a part of her job,” revealed his former colleague.

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