In real life too, I'm an obedient son. Whatever my mom (Radha Agnihotri) says is final. She has been a great support to my sister and me, especially after my father (Gyandev Agnihotri, a well known writer) expired.
After he passed away and his body was still in the house, the first thing she told me was, "You don't have to worry that dad's gone. I'm still here and from now on I'm going to be your mom and dad."
I think that was a very brave thing to say. More than anything else, it's essential to have the emotional support of an elder at home. You need someone you can turn to for advice and for help in making decisions. Someone who can tell you what's right and wrong and whether you're on the right path.
Mom supported me a lot financially when I took to flying. I wanted to make a career of it at one point. You need to complete 250 hours to turn professional but I quit after only 15-20 hours. At Rs 25,000 per hour, that's quite some money down the drain.
Before Pardes, I was readying myself for a break. I enrolled in Kishore Namit's acting academy. He really helped me. He didn't want to take money from me because he used to know my father. God and my mother's blessings were with me.
Mom always maintained that no matter what the outcome, you have to go out and try your best. That the pluses and negatives shouldn't bias you and there is no reason why you shouldn't be successful.
| With wife Shilpa Saklani |
When I met him while he was shooting Trimurti, he asked me to meet him after three months. I thought that must be his polite way of rejecting me. But after exactly three months, I got a call from his office.
I was thrilled when I got paid for Pardes. Subhashji asked me what I'd do with the money and I told him I'd give it to my mom. And I did. We shot in Vancouver for the movie and that was my first trip abroad.
Pyar Koi Khel Nahin, Kasoor and Hum Ho Gaye Aapke followed Pardes and I had complete support from my mom throughout. In fact, she even trusted and supported my decision to marry Shilpa.
