Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 31, 2019)

Veteran art director R Verman, who had been ailing for a while and was recently admitted to a suburban hospital, succumbed to cardiac arrest on Tuesday around 12.30 am. He was 72.

His son, director Abhishek Varman (2 States, Kalank) performed the last rites at the Oshiwara crematorium. Later, filmmaker Karan Johar, actors Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, and directors Shashank Khaitan and Anurag Singh met him to offer condolences.

Best known as R Verman, Ratna Verman Shetty was an alumnus of Mumbai’s JJ School of Art. Post completing his education, he started his own publicity designing and cine advertising company. The late Dev Anand’s production house was one of his major clients and Verman worked on his cult classics like Jewel Thief and Guide (above).

It was during this time that art direction piqued his interest and he began assisting noted art director Sudhendu Roy. He went independent in 1975 and worked on over 350 films, including Betaab, Khoon Bhari Maang, Thaanedaar, Hum, Khiladi, Andaaz Apna Apna, Karan-Arjun, Kaho Naa.. Pyaar Hai, Company, Aitraaz and 36 China Town.