Maharaj Shah
The untimely and tragic demise of our beloved, Mohan Shah has left an irreplaceable void in our lives. As the pain of his sudden departure continues to pierce our hearts, we hold on to the warmth of his memory and the brilliance of his journey – a journey that touched countless lives with light, laughter, and love.
A gifted actor, a passionate director, and above all, a remarkable human being, Mohan Shah’s life was a beacon of creativity, humility, and selfless service. His tragic accident on the way to Katra took from us not just a brother, but a towering cultural icon whose work transcended the boundaries of art, community, and emotion.
An Artist Beyond Compare
Mohan Shah’s romance with acting began at the tender age of 11, when he played the role of LUV in the Ramleela at Mattan Martand. That performance lit a flame within him, one that would blaze gloriously across decades. He soon joined the Amar Dramatic Club Mattan, where his transformative portrayal of a 70-year-old servant-at just 16-astonished even our own mother, who failed to recognize him on stage. Such was his commitment to craft, such was his mastery of transformation. He played Sh. Ram for more than one decade in Ramleela staged at Tagore Hall Srinagar by Shree Dharamarth Trust Srinagar. Participated in central government employees Drama competition held at Agartala in North East and bagged best actor prize.
He possessed a rare blend of flexibility, plasticity, and emotive depth, absorbing the essence of each character with an actor’s discipline and a poet’s sensitivity. His memory was prodigious, his timing impeccable, his soul fully immersed in every role. Directors and peers often marveled at his methodical preparation, his intuitive understanding of mood and movement, and his spiritual alignment with the roles he played.
The Guiding Lights and Memorable Milestones
Mohan was discovered by TV Producer Bashir Badgami, who first spotted him during an outdoor shoot in Mattan. But it was in the Hindi stage production of “Surya Ki Antim Kiran Se Surya Ki Pehli Kiran Tak” – a profound work based on playwright Surendra Verma – that he left an indelible mark. His performance captured the attention of Jai Krishan Zutshi, who cast him in powerful lead roles, often opposite renowned actresses like Bharti Raina, bringing his immense talent into the limelight.
From Rajesh Kaul’s acclaimed serial “Apne Ajnabi” to the unforgettable “Khudrah”, written by me and featuring Mohan as a revolutionary protagonist, his roles became landmarks in Kashmiri television history. Despite the tragic erasure of some of his finest work due to political turmoil, Mohan’s performances still shine in the memories of audiences.
He was lead actor in film “Danther”, telecast nationally on Doordarshan, earned a place in its prestigious archives. In “Laut Aao”, a poignant film he wrote, directed, and starred in, he explored the depths of human longing and resilience – and this film found repeated broadcasts and enduring admiration and was assigned to Producer/Director Ravi Tikoo by Doordarshan Mandi House
His role in “Parwaz” displayed his flair for complex characters, while his powerful presence in “Aur Kitni Door”, a thirteen-episode adaptation based on reputed writer Chandrakanta’s Novel, was the culmination of his televised work under my direction.
Mohan also left an indelible mark in the Kashmiri entertainment world, acting with almost all celebrated artists of J&K – among them Bharti Zaroo, Asha Zaroo, Rita Jalali, Suparna Tikoo, Portia Mukherjee, Anju Daloo, Romi Sharma, Veena Dogra, Kshemendera Raina, Vinay Raina, Kamal Razdan, Ashok Zafrani, and Shadi Lal, Makhan Lal Saraf, Suman Tikoo, Daizy Naquib, Ashok Kullu, Preerna, and many more I may not be able to recollect at the moment.
His acclaimed directorial venture, “Kar Mokli Safar”, written by Bashir Dada, remains one of his finest productions. The title song, rendered soulfully by Vijay Malla in this Serial, became a cultural anthem. It was tragically Vijay Malla’s last recorded song, making the serial a timeless tribute to both artists.
Mohan Shah may have left the stage of this world, but his legacy continues to breathe – in every character he brought to life, in every cause he championed, in every soul he touched. His memory shall remain etched not only in the annals of art but also in the hearts of all who had the privilege to know him.
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