Gangster Arun Gawli Turned Dharmatma

There is a lot that has been spoken and even more that’s been heard about the man that Arun Gawli is. But in an exclusive tête-à-tête, his younger daughter Yogita Arun Gawli opens up to DIPTI RANGLANI GULABANI about the man who is a godfather to many but known to all as Daddy! While the hands of time cannot be turned back, what does go back a long way is a daughter’s fond memory. In the times when dons were feared and the uniformed servants fed off the poor man’s hard work, a hero emerged from the streets of Mumbai and changed the rules from his fort, Dagdi Chawl. He was respected and he was revered. He was a lot of things that the media refused to report. As his younger daughter Yogita takes on the reigns as the social do-gooder, she shares a few emotional moments talking about her father, Arun Gawli.

Yogita, you were born to your parents when the family name was splashed across in a negative light at all times. How did your father Arun Gawli’s reputation affect your childhood?
Our childhood was never affected negatively. Yes, there were many watchful eyes, but even though my siblings and I went to different schools, we were treated with love and affection everywhere. There was never any kind of bullying because of who we were.

How involved or aware is your father in the matters of family? How do the family dynamics work now in his absence?
Dad is still involved in family matters, he is updated with what each one of us are doing in our lives. Of course, Mummy (Asha Gawli) has taken the reigns of the family in her hands, but every decision is discussed with Dad and everything happens with his support. My dad has also been very supportive of my marriage and my choice of life partner.

Tell us more about your father’s decisions. What were his beliefs and his life choices?
He loves education and was fond of studying. He might have never quit his studies if it wasn’t for all the politics related issues back then, when my dad had decided to fight back. That’s when he got sucked in to the whirlpool of the circumstances as he tried to defend his people against the wrongdoings. That’s when he had formed the gang. My father always believed that he was a victim of circumstances. He stands by his people and does not believe that running away from a situation is an option! Dad is a strong believer of Krishna and Shambho.

What do you think has been his biggest regret?
He regrets not spending time with his family. He missed the chance to see his children grow. My elder sister Geeta was 3 years old, when Dad first saw her because he was in the hiding. Due to the dangerous circumstances back then, he missed doing things that other normal families did such as going to the movies or just moving around freely.

How has distance from family changed him? What has his absence in the family been like?
His absence has been a big loss for everyone. My parents had a love marriage, and mom has always supported his decisions.He has always been very concerned about our safety. That’s mostly all that he worries about. But as a family, it’s been a matter of pride for us. We are only proud of his actions and I consider very fortunate to be my parents’ daughter. Daddy has always been a fighter and he has survived it all. Mummy (As Mrs Asha Arun Gawli is fondly called by all) has also done a lot for the society and it shows in the amount of respect we are all met with till date. In fact, even though Daddy is inside, he is still approached for help. He is always surrounded by people in need of help and he never turns them away.

Who does he trust the most with taking decisions on his behalf?
Definitely Mummy! She has also been through equal amount of struggle. We have grown very close to mom, we tell her everything easily because for a few things he is still a strict head of the family.

If he could change one thing or go back in time and reverse one event, what would that be and why?
I can’t really say if there’s only one thing. I’m sure he would want to change where he is right now. But Daddy is a learner. He has learnt from the mistakes he made and tried to make his life better, but he is not a man of regrets!

How did it feel to have your family life opened up to the masses via the movie Daddy?
My father did not read the script or go through any formal contract signing when he was first approached for the film. He had allowed the makers to go ahead and make the film in good faith. The only condition was to not mess with his personal life or the love angle in the script and that Mr. Arjun Rampal personally made sure of. Daddy wasn’t concerned about how his character was portrayed but more concerned about the way his partners, his people and the gang was shown. In fact, there were some last minute changes that were made because in many scenes women were not shown or looked at in a dignified way. But the movie was made keeping many sensitive facts aside and we all were aware of the kind of publicity it would lead to. We were okay with that because we all are proud of whose children we are.

What inspired your father to change his ways? How did he opt for a life in politics?
Dad was always attached to charity – with or without politics. He was a believerDaan Dharmo. He has always helped the needy and that’s always been a driving force for him, either in his younger years or when he decided to take up politics. While he was out, he saw that people still had the same problem for basic amenities such as water or corruption. That’s when he decided to start Akhil Bhartiya Sena. He wanted to take care of his people through his own party because he knew that’s the only way to stand up for the needy without being harassed by authorities. That’s why he entered politics and left the old ways behind.

What’s your opinion about your father’s conviction? What do you think about his arrest and sentence?
I’d say that this has affected our faith in the Indian judiciary. There are a lot of facts that do not add up and yet he has spent 10 years inside. Imagine if this is how difficult it becomes for the then MLA to fight for justice, it’s impossible for the common man to expect a fair verdict in time. This has gone on for too long and the system should consider the amount of time that has been lost in vain.

My sister Geeta who has been a BMC Corporator 3 times in a row is also trying her best.
There were many criminals, dons and gangsters who left their people dying, to flee the country. I am proud to say that my dad didn’t abandon anyone. He stayed where he was, trying to do good for his people in one way or the other and that’s what the authorities need to understand. Daddy wasn’t evil. He was only a victim of the circumstances and he decided to fight back in support of the people who believed in him.