Vijaya Sharma

Till the morning of April 27, 1959 Nanavati was the eager husband waiting to be with his beautiful young wife and three children. Two sons and a daughter. He was also eager to share the news of his promotion with the family. The schedule for the day was decided. After a long time, the family was going for a movie. At the Metro theatre.

By around 4.30 in the evening, the 34-year old commander was a murderer.

Soon after he had shot Prem, he went straight to the provost marshall Samuel and confessed to the shooting. On his advice, he even confessed the same to DCP Mumbai, John Lobo - that he had shot a man.

In court, Blitz tells us, he remained imperturbed throughout the trial. When he was announced the life sentence, only his eyes reflected his sadness. There were no tears, no agitated gestures from the commander.

The rock steady commander while outside maidens swooned over his good looks. The strong, silent suffering hero. In a frenzy of passion they flung lipstick stained 100 rupee notes on him as he crossed the Flora Fountain area in Bombay.

Blitz with noise and din built up the image of the wronged hero. It shot down every finger which uncurled to accuse Nanavati.

Blitz in the mushy romantic lingo told all ad infinitum what a fine figure Nanavati cut in his white navy uniform, the array of medals, the dignified demeanour. "The dashing but sad-eyed commander looks around the crowded excitement filled court…and then a lingering look at his pretty english born wife clad in a pure white nylon sari … and finally he turns his face calmly but resolutely towards the city sessions judge and declares: "I plead not guilty and claim to be tried."

And when the commander finally not allowed to be in naval custody has to give away his uniform, Blitz commiserated: "He dons his uniform for the last time… he takes it (uniform) piece by piece, folds each garment with meticulous care and lays them aside. The whole spectacle is reminiscent of Othello's farewell to arms.

He was the stuff that heroes are made off.

Or was he?

For there is an attempt to escape punishment for a cool and caculated murder. Commander Nanavati knows the odds. Life sentence for murder. 10 years if the gun went off accidentally.

Was the image of a patriotic, family loving, courageous and honourable built up only by the media to shout down the truth that Nanavati had committed a murder and as per the law of the land would have to serve a life sentence or a death sentence.

Ifs, buts and whys hover around the commander casting a shadow over the honourable commander.

When Nanavati questions Sylvia, strangely enough he knows almost straightaway the reason for her aloofness. The questions are rapped straight at Sylvia. Don't you love me anymore? Is it Prem Ahuja? Have you been unfaithful to me? And then in the same breath he is willing to forgive Sylvia if she gives up Prem. For a man who knew nothing about the affair minutes back, the reaction is abnormally normal. Not even a sliver of anger towards his wife if one were to go by the Blitz accout. He is ready to shoot himself, he is willing to take Sylvia back and he actually shoots Prem Ahuja. All for love?