Who Dares Wins!

I heard this tale from one of my relatives, I was really amazed at the way he described thing to me. I hope I will be able to do justice to his narration. In 1986, Hyderabad was still a hot bed of Gundaism. Every lane/area used to have one dada, as they are popularly called here or Don, as a moderner would know it. The one and only reason a normal person is called a dada is because of the fear that he instills in the minds of others. If not for this fear, there wouldn't be any dadas. 

Balwant (name changed) was a 23 year old milkman from an area in Hyderabad. One day, he along with his friend, went to watch a movie in Shalimar theater in King Koti. There, at the ticket counter, he got into an argument with someone and a fight broke out. They had come in a large group. About eight of them. They thrashed Balwant, but he managed to give a few back. The friend who accompanied him, was a meek fellow who only managed to try to stop the fight. As the other gang left, they threatened him, 'Phoolpet walon se laga liye to aisich hota'. 

Balwant went back injured with a torn shirt. The next three days, he spent his time in gathering muscle power to attack that gang. He had come to know that they were a particular notorious gang from Phoolpet. Two days later, in two autos, Balwant and his cousins, friends, about 12 of them, went to Phoolpet. They were armed and wanted to beat the pulp out of those fellows. God knows how in those days, the news spread, but that gang came to know that they were being attacked. 

A pan shop wala in front of the hotel warned them, 'sab chale jao babu...woh logaan sau logaan aate'. In no time, Balwant saw that a group of about forty people started marching towards them. One of the autos was started and about six of them escaped. Three others ran away behind the auto. One of them vanished into the crowd. The only person who was left along with Balwant was his cousin, Mahesh. He was his father's sister's son. Here in AP, he is called 'Bawa' meaning 'Brother in law'. Like they say, 'Saari Duniya ek taraf, Jeeja saala ek taraf'. A mob of about 40 started walking towards them from a distance led by a man who was about 6 feet tall and had a large body. 

Balwant and Mahesh walked into the hotel and ordered for 1/2 tea. In about two minutes, they heard abuses and three of them walked in, including the tall fat man. Before doing anything, he asked, 'Are you the people who came from ******wadi?'

'Yes,'

'You want to hit our boys?'

'Yes, we came to hit,' said Balwant.

'How many of you came?'

'We were twelve'

'Do you see how many of us came?' said the man in a strong voice.

'Yes, I can see'

'Come now, hit us' he said

The iron rods and latt (a type of wooden stick) were in abundance in their gang. Just then, tea arrived. They shared the cup of tea and started sipping. 

'Come, hit us, you thought this is some joke?'

Any kind of stupidity would have got both of them beaten very badly. Balwant decided to keep his mouth shut and have tea. After hurling unlimited abuses, the dada almost pushed them both from the table. In a fit of rage, he said, 'Aren't you scared? You see so many people who have come to get you?'

To which, Balwant with the calmness of a storm replied, 'What will you do? At the most, hit me. The ones who came with me were scared and they ran away. Now, only me and my cousin remain. You want to hit us, hit! Beyond that, what will you do?'

This sentence, somehow calmed the man. He looked at him and walked away and sent back everybody else. Only three of them came back into the hotel and sat down with them on the table. They ordered for another tea. And then, the man said, 'You are brave, Dum hai tere G mein,' and patted his back. After a general conversation, the main paid for the tea and left.   For the next twenty years or so, everywhere Balwant went, he was treated with special respect. After that, he never had to stand in any queue, anywhere. He later became friends with the tall fat man and every Sankranthi, they used to fly kites together until he died in 2002.

This story sounds very filmy. But then, it is real-incidents like these which are brought to the silver screen albeit painted in more attractive colors. As of today, Mahesh and Balwant are best friends and business partners. I have met Balwant. He is nearing 50 now and is a strong man. From his looks and his words, he still looks quite capable of what he did about 25 years ago.

Probably, that is why they say, 'Who Dares Wins'

- Deepak Karamungikar