Why did lawyers call two Supreme Court judges “Amar Prem”? Justice Vikram Nath answered that question while speaking at the launch of The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks. He recalled the time he regularly shared the Bench with former Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and revealed that members of the Bar had affectionately given them the nickname, inspired by the iconic Bollywood film Andaz Apna Apna.

Justice Nath said that serving alongside Justice Gavai remains one of the most cherished periods of his judicial career.

“Many of you would remember the period when we sat together as bench partners. Those were truly memorable days, and I still hear members of the Bar recalling them with great affection,” he said.

He recalled that lawyers who appeared before them often noticed the understanding the two judges shared on the Bench and affectionately referred to them as “Amar Prem.”

“We were affectionately christened ‘Amar Prem’, borrowing from the classic film Andaz Apna Apna. It was all in good humour, and I must confess we quite enjoyed the title,” Justice Nath remarked.

According to Justice Nath, the affectionate title “Amar Prem” suited Justice Gavai well. He said Justice Gavai has a natural ability to put people at ease while always maintaining the seriousness and dignity expected in judicial proceedings.

“He has the ability to bring a sense of ease to any situation without ever diminishing its seriousness, whether in the courtroom or outside it,” Justice Nath observed.

Justice Nath further said that Justice Gavai’s warm and approachable nature made everyone feel welcome in court. Whether it was a young lawyer appearing for the first time or an experienced member of the Bar, Justice Gavai ensured everyone was treated with respect and got a fair hearing.

“A courtroom can often be an intimidating place, but his wit and natural ease reminded everyone that courtesy and compassion are not inconsistent with firmness or discipline,” he said.

Speaking about Justice Gavai’s newly launched book, The Voice of Justice: Justice Gavai Speaks, Justice Nath described it as both timely and necessary. He said the book gives readers a deeper understanding of Justice Gavai’s constitutional philosophy and his vision for public life.

Justice Nath explained that while judgments must be written in the precise language of the law, a judge’s speeches offer a broader understanding of the principles, institutional values, and vision that guide the judge’s approach to delivering justice.

“They tell us a lot more about the judge, the values he holds, the institutions he believes in, and the society he hopes to help build,” Justice Nath said.