Rajshri Films had
started a new trend in Hindi Cinema with their low budget, light comedies like Dulhan wohi jo piya man bhaye and others
of this genre, I cajoled Srivatsa to take me to their office in Worli to meet
the people in charge for finding new faces. I left my pictures and telephone
number and have been waiting for a call all these years!
My dearest wish was
to act as Amitaab Bachchan’s mother in a movie. That would mean my playing my
fingers lightly through his hair as he lay with his head on my lap, singing ‘hey maa, teri surat se alag, bhagavan
ki surat kya hogi ‘l do not know why
actresses think it’s demotion when they are given mother roles. Our films give
more respect to the mother than the heroine who is there only to bare her
assets. I guess I have missed the bus again since Amitaab is looking more like
my father! A sister’s role would be just
fine . Hope never dies.
Acting in a serial for the TV is the next best option for an
aspiring actress. Burjor Patel is a well known producer of English plays in
Mumbai. He decided to try his hand at making it to the TV . This was in the
early eighties when Doordarshan was the only channel. Burjor was a senior
manager of a Calcutta based publication and I had met him in the course of my
work. All those who meet me, are given a gist of my current obsession, whether
they like it or not and Burjor was no exception. He knew my passion for acting
and he invited me to an audition. It was to choose a feminist neighbour of the
heroine, for the pilot episode he was shooting for TV. I was selected for the
role and the shoot was to be in an apartment in Cuffe Parade. The lead role was
played by Burjor’s wife Ruby who was a seasoned stage actress. Sayeed Jaffrey
was to play her husband. He had just
made news with his role in Gandhi and
his star rating was high. I was overwhelmed to be in his presence and very self
conscious about mouthing my dialogues. But he was so cool… joking around and
encouraging me like I was the best actress he had ever met. I felt totally at
ease and started enjoying the part. Unfortunately, the serial did not make its
way to the in tray of the mandarins of Mandi House (as the Powers that be at
Delhi TV station are known) and it was love’s labour lost.
Over the years, the
craze to be on stage and screen has diminished but I still consider my training
my training classes and public speeches as a form of acting … a performance.
While in Allentown, visiting Anil and Deepali, I had a novel outlet for my
acting fever. I read a poster in the local Library, calling for volunteers for
the Crime Victims Council. Since I had nothing much to do during the day while
Anil and Deep ere away at work , I rang up the number given and spoke to Freda
Rafes, the Facilitator. She invited me to act in the role play sessions of the
Child Abuse Prevention Programme which they conduct in elementary schools. To
show children how to be safe, strong and free. I had to act according to a
prepared script, as a ten year old bully who swindles the six year old of her
lunch money; as the stranger who lures little children away and a seven year
old girl who has to say no uncle Harry who wants to kiss her. This is in a way
a training module created for kids, to prepare them for self defence, with a
non conflict approach. It was a challenge to do these roles before six and
seven year old American children who found my skin colour and accent
fascinating. Some tiny voices piped up to tell me’ I like your voice’. This is
a very meaningful module and can be useful for young girls to grow up with an
awareness of the concept of being Safe, Strong and Free.
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