Bombay exhibitor Dara P. Mehta passed away last night (11th December) at his residence in Bombay following a cardiac arrest. He was 65 and is survived by his mother and sister. He was cremated today (12th).
Dara Mehta owned Chitra Cinema, Bombay and Rajshri Cinema, Baroda. He used to also be the lessee of Kalpana Cinema, Solapur. He ran Aradhana Cinema of Baroda for many years.
Veteran Bombay distributor Ramesh Sippy was, perhaps, the last trade person who spoke to Dara before he breathed his last. Sippy, who met Naaz Cinema landlord R.P. Anand’s grandson yesterday to discuss the serious issue of repairs to the Naaz building which houses many distribution and exhibition offices, discussed the matter with Dara yesterday evening, after his meeting with Anand. Dara sounded hale and hearty around 4-4.30 p.m. which is when Ramesh Sippy spoke with him. However, his end came all of a sudden around 10.30 p.m.