Screen, April 1995

So much love. So much life. So many feelings shared. So much understanding . Some misunderstanding, too. Some great moments. Some not so great moments. It must have certainly taken all this and more for Pran , one of the rare legends of our times and his wife, Shukla to keep their marriage going and growing stronger for fifty years which is an exceptional story, an elevating experience, an extraordinary feat and an example for all those married couples today who get married for better of time. Pran and Shukla have been married the last fifty years (one young actress asked, "fifty years and to the same woman, they are incredible, absolutely crazy?")

from April 1945 when Pran was still fighting to find a foothold in films to April 1995 when Pran has grown into an institution, a living legend, a part of every household . It takes a lot to be together to bring up a family, to live life which can be an example. It takes courage born out of loving and caring to overcome all the troubles, the tumults, the threats, the turmoil's that came in the way of a true marriage. Pran and Shukla have overcome them all, which gave them, their children and their grant-children the right to celebrate the occasion.

A large number of relatives, friends, admirers, colleagues, old and new, gathered at Bhalla's bungalow in Bandra, the suburb where Pran and Shukla have spent most of their fifty years together to celebrate their fiftieth wedding anniversary. It could have been and should have been a bigger celebration and there should have been many more guests. But today's times are not like the time that was fifty years ago. Today fifty years of marriage is not considered a great occasion. Today people don't have time for such running after more memorable occasions. They are busy celebrating their success. They are busy running after more success and more money, forgetting all the good things in life, like fifty years of a great life together.

It was a grand celebration inspite al of all those who were invited and didn't have the time, who didn't know the significance of an occasion like this which comes once in many many years, an occasion which comes only to the chosen ones, the blessed ones. At the stroke of midnight Pran and Shukla cut a cake, exchanged garlands, danced to the tunes of Tu cheez badi hai mast mast and renewed their love for each other, love for many years to come, from here to eternity- forever.