Between two cities, Sohrab Ardeshir and Ranvir Shah keep an old Bombay friendship interestingly alive
Ranvir Shah and Sohrab Ardeshir at Ranvir’s birthday two years ago
Sohrab Ardeshir, 61, actor and spirit medium
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Ranvir Shah, 61, businessman and cultural philanthropist
Sohrab Ardeshir studied Method Acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute, NYC. He has performed extensively in the US, where he lived for 10 years, and in India, in Hollywood and Bollywood films, theatre, commercials and radio plays. A practising medium for 25 years, he holds public channelling sessions, on occasion, for healers, spirit workers and channels, and those interested in personal growth and evolution. A plethora of energy Masters channel through him. Guiding clients to become the best they can at whatever they choose, he conducts one-on-one Growth and Development sessions too.
Ranvir Shah in Chennai has been involved in his family business of textiles, food processing, healthcare and hospitality for 40 years. Passionate about the performing arts, literature and conservation, he engages with them through the Prakriti Foundation he set up in 1998. Actively espousing welfare work, he supports several NGOs, from orphanages and old-age homes to those dealing with domestic violence and child sexual abuse.
Creative catalysts both, the friends talk art, sensitivity and spirituality.
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Ranvir Shah: My first memory of Sohrab is in the 6th standard of The Cathedral & John Connon Middle School in the 1970s. He sat towards the back of the class. We played Chor-police in lunch break and were in the choir, which came second in an inter-school competition. The prize-winning song was Dona Nobis Pacem, whose high notes I still remember. We were quite introverted, often bullied. Less shy than Sohrab, I engaged with other friends. He was the nice guy, kind, not ever with the bullying gang.
Sohrab Ardeshir: Not much actually bullied, but I felt like a fish out of water. We were both reserved and recognised that in each other. Elocution, poetry, essay writing were common loves. Our book preferences have commonality as well as diversity–favourite titles have varied from literature and design to South Indian temple architecture.
Ranvir Shah and Sohrab Ardeshir
RS: I was jealous of Sohrab and Deven [Khote]’s writing being declared the best in class by our English teacher. Sohrab’s father was the proprietor of the Bolton Fine Art Litho Works. Their home had a huge library collection. We were usually at his home, sometimes at mine. Close to his parents and hep sisters, I have picture-perfect memories of their Bandra house.
SA: And I was close to Ranvir’s mum and sister. His home cuisine was delicious Gujarati food and we raided those imported bottles of Tang, pretty novel at the time!
RS: I’m a fussy non-vegetarian, eating selectively. Hanging with Sohrab in Bandra, I’m up for pao, prawn pickle, a bit of fish. We belonged to the first “Plus 2” standard XI-XII batch. My two years were in HR College, so we hung out a lot at Rasna Pub outside it.
SA: I went to HR for a year of junior college, one year abroad on the
Rotary exchange programme and then to Sydenham [College]. I am glad we grew up in the era without mobile phones and television. With limited funds, we took trains or buses to school and college, ate streetside bhel, walked on the beach, cycled around.
RS: Today, a month might go by with just one phone call or we’ll talk three times in a week, depending on the need to share. We speak about everything except the stock market–from politics to the arts and culture, to updates on family issues, friends and travel plans. Spots we revisit together here are Prithvi Theatre and NCPA, and restaurants like Pali Hill Cafe. When Sohrab does come to Chennai, we head to Amethyst Cafe.
SA: Ranvir is an amazingly generous person and I don’t mean in terms of financial cost. More than physical gifts, he gives of himself. He has thought nothing of flying to New York for a weekend to visit a friend ailing with cancer. With a wonderful wife and three children, he is extremely loyal to family and friends, going out of his way to do anything for them.
RS: From one part of Sohrab’s professional world, I learn how detailed he goes into technique when taking on a role, how much research and rigour are involved before actually going on stage. For me, Sohrab’s quality of being a most giving person, as an actor as well as a spiritual connector and caring human being, is vitally important and real.
SA: We maintain strong mutual respect. Ranvir is a total inspiration, absolutely focused and driven, constantly initiating new projects in his work and artistic life, and seeing them through. Hardly a businessman alone, he is an innovator, a creator and manifester. His zest for life inspires me to think big, He urges me to make dreams a reality. We’re comfortably different people. Slow and steady, I find his 19-hour day frantic.
RS: When Sohrab was getting into the spiritual world, while on its periphery, I was sceptical. Being deeply honest with each other, I told him, “What’s going on boss?” It has now been a 25-year journey. He is the spiritual speaker and mentor for so many. I’ve asked for sessions with him only about five times–95 per cent of my life is already in his head–and the advice was spot-on.
SA: Our non-judgementalism is beautiful. If Ranvir doesn’t accept certain ideas, that’s all right. The maturity of our friendship helps stand by one another’s decisions. Ours are safe spaces, without arguments but healthy criticism.
RS: We disagree over books, movies, theatre pieces. Never regarding larger life choices, personal or career-related. About these we willingly hear what the other wants to say. There is complete and irrevocable trust. Childhood imprints are so strong. I feel that formative years in Bombay definitely embed long-lasting impressions.
SA: Having lived in two countries, I consider Bombay and New York hometowns. But nowhere are the warm, meaningful friendships Bombay offers. The joy of simply dropping in on a friend, the ease of even staying weeks, is unique to this city.
Author-publisher Meher Marfatia writes monthly on city friendships. You can reach her at meher.marfatia@mid-day.com/www.meher marfatia.com
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