Journalism
JOURNALISM
Unveiling Truths
My journey as a writer began at the young age of 12 when I was a student at St. Vincent’s High School in Poona, Maharashtra, back in 1962.
My bench mate, a boy named Bajaj, unknowingly played a pivotal role in igniting my passion for writing. One day, he wrote a sonnet titled “Rain,” which our class teacher found impressive enough to display on the class noticeboard right next to our desks. Bajaj, as I remember, was insufferably smug and strutted around the class that day, which honestly got on my nerves.
That evening, I returned home, sat at my father’s typewriter, and began typing the words “Rain, Rain, Rain.” I went on to craft my own sonnet.
Later in the day, a family friend, Abooly bhai, who resided with us, returned from work. I showed him the sonnet, and he was genuinely impressed. Without delay, he fired up his old Lamby scooter and took me to the offices of the Poona Herald, a new daily newspaper. There, he introduced me to Abel David, the editor, and shared the sonnet with him. Abel was equally impressed and decided to publish my sonnet on the front page of the Herald the next day. Furthermore, he offered me a weekly Children’s Column for the Herald, a role that came with a princely sum of Rs. 5 per week.
My printed sonnet, sharing space with Bajaj’s, marked the beginning of my journey as a writer.
A few months later, The Poona Daily News, another daily newspaper, approached me to write a similar column. For the next four years, I was crafting two weekly columns.
Regrettably, I no longer possess the sonnet that launched my writing career or any of the writings from that era.
the current
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Evening Tatler
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the collegian
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the current
In 1966, as I approached the completion of my Secondary High School education, I found myself in Bombay. At that time, there were two popular weekly newspapers, The Current and The Blitz. I was a devoted reader of D.F. Karaka’s weekly publication, The Current.
One morning, I walked into Karaka’s office at Cawasji Patel Street, expressing my desire to write for his publication. I was a mere 15 years old at the time. His secretary, a charming lady, was intrigued by my enthusiasm and managed to arrange a meeting with Dosu Karaka.
Karaka listened to my aspirations, reviewed some of my articles, and set me a challenge. He gave me one week to interview and write about three celebrities.
I eagerly accepted the challenge. With the help of friends, including Nandu and Rusi Arya, we identified three celebrities for interviews. Vijay Merchant, the renowned cricketer, was our first target, and we conducted a comprehensive two-hour interview at his office, conveniently located near Karaka’s.
We then headed to the home of the celebrated singer Mahendra Kapoor, securing our second interview. Kapoor proved to be a talented, humble, and fun-loving person, eager to share his childhood memories.
Our third interview took place at the residence of actor-filmmaker Sunil Dutt, in Pali Hill, a Bombay suburb. Sunil Dutt, entertained by my youth and enthusiasm, decided to indulge me, granting us our third interview.
Capitalizing on our success, we ventured to the apartment of the famous actor Sharmila Tagore, who graciously agreed to meet for an interview on her film set the following afternoon.
I was at Roop Tara Film Studios in Dadar the next day, conducting the interview. Sharmila Tagore, at that stage of her life, had close ties with the Indian cricket team captain, Nawab Pataudi, whom she would later marry. Sharmila invited me to her home to meet the Nawab, and I secured my fifth interview.
Within two days, well before the week’s deadline set by Karaka, I returned to his office, not with three but five celebrity interviews. D.F. Karaka was thoroughly impressed and introduced me as “Pint Size,” a moniker that stuck with me for years.
Thus, my journey as a writer on the national stage began, eventually evolving into a career in film writing, thanks to the guidance and encouragement of the prolific writer and filmmaker, Khwaja Ahmed Abbas.
From Script To Film – A Bootcamp For Filmmaking
A Boot Camp for Film Making Cinema has weaved its
the current
A weekly newspaper published every Saturday from Bombay. Published and Edited by D. F. Karakka. Mazahir wrote a weekly column titled: “Pint Size This Week” for 7 years from 1965 to 1972
Evening Tatler
An evening newspaper launched by Mazahir Rahim as Publisher and Editor in Poona, Maharashtra.
the collegian
A monthly magazine published from 1965 to 1973 in Poona, Maharashtra, catering to all the college students in and around the city.
Evening Tatler
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the collegian
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