The love affair that has started from college days, forged a full-time relationship once Ved became a member of the PJ Hindu Gymkhana in 1957. “After coming to Hindu Gymkhana, I started playing at competetive level and used to play at various open events at Parsi, Islam Gymkhana and other places,” says Ved but he was never serious about winning. “I never allowed the thought of winning or losing distract me while I was on the table,” he added.

The game and its following has gone through a sea change in the last 50 years in Mumbai. “When I started playing in competitions, we would get about 160-plus entries for billiards while snooker entries would come around 50, but now it has totally reversed,” says Ved. “But I have never liked playing snooker, I was always a billiards player but now I at least watch snooker,” he says.

Ved says he always feels happy when he sees any youngster coming to the game. “There have been moments when I was pitted against youngsters, but I always tried to point out their mistakes even while the match was on. I want the game to grow and only good participation by youngsters could help the game grow,” observed Ved.

Billiards has given Ved something more than the fun. “I think since I kept playing billiards, I have never had fitness problems.”

Ved’s son was never fond of playing billiards and he never forced him to come to the table but now he is getting his 10-year-old grandson to take up the sport — again, just for fun. “I want him to carry on my legacy.”