We were, and still are, a close and supportive family. We have always spent a lot of time together and this was thanks to the many strict rules Dad imposed while we were growing up.
He made sure he gave us a lot of personal time and love, and didn't want us to be spoilt by too much luxury. In the bungalow there was only one air-conditioned room (which doubled up as a library). Mom and Dad had their room and we had ours. But each night we would all sleep in the air-conditioned library -- gadda daal ke (laying down mattresses on the floor).
Priya used to sleep between Mom and Dad, and then there was me and Sanjay. Dad thought it was important we had a strong bond between us, especially as he was often away on film shoots.
Dad was a strict disciplinarian, but we could get away with blue murder as far as Mom was concerned. We had learned that there was no challenging Dad's rules. For example, there was only one TV in the house, and the family would watch it together. No phones were allowed in our bedrooms either. And we had to be back home before sunset, no matter what.
In the picture: Nargis poses with Namrata, Sanjay and Priya, just a few months before she fell seriously ill
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