Mere paas maa hai!

Mere paas maa hai!

With Mother's Day just round the corner, TV stars tell BT about the relationship they share with their mothers

GITA HARI

Mother's Day is round the corner and apna television artists are looking for ways to make their mothers happy on this special day. The characters they play in TV serials sometimes go overboard while displaying their love for their beloved mums. But even in real life, our TV stars are not too far behind when it comes to showering affection on their mums.
It's a belief that daughters are more attached to their dads and that sons to their moms. One such case is that of debonair actor-doctor-industrialist Anuj Saxena who takes pride when people tell him that he resembles his mother. Anuj remarks, "My mother was always nice and indulgent with all her children in the growing years. She was the happiest when I decided to take up acting as a career despite having done medicine. Now, she is not only proud of me but is also my biggest critic and fan." Anuj has been away from his parents for more than 15 years and he misses his mom. "Mom's home-made pickles are the best in the world," declares this ardent son. Since his family is away in Himachal Pradesh, Anuj might go and surprise his mom or else wish her on the phone on Mother's Day.
In contrast is Niyati Joshi of Suno... Har Dill Kuch Kehtaa Hai on Sahara One, who was scared of her fashion designer mom in her younger days as she was very particular about everything. "Late night parties were a big no-no with my mother, but she gave me the freedom of doing what I wanted, only I had to inform her in detail and not hide anything from her. She was initially a bit sceptical about my decision to leave Pune and settle in Mumbai, but now she is very supportive. She is more like a friend to me," says Niyati fondly remembering her mother who is in Pune. She has celebrated Mother's Day in advance by sending her mother a gift and is happy that she liked it.
Amit Verma, Rohan Kapoor of Sahara One's Kituu Sab Jaanti Hai, feels, "I always felt that my mother showered extra attention on my younger brother. But now things have changed. Since I became a TV actor, I hardly get to see my mother, so whenever I meet her she pampers me more than him. My mother gave me the freedom to do whatever I wanted to, while ensuring that I didn't go astray. In fact, with my hectic schedules, I feel I have not been a good son lately. To make up for the lost time I am planning to gift her something special." What if she made unreasonable demands like his reel mother Sonia Kapoor? Amit says confidently, "I know my mother. She can never make unreasonable demands. However, if the situation arises, I shall convince her to agree to the rationality of the situation."
CID guy Anoop Soni reminisces that his mother was very strict when it came to cleanliness. "When I was in school, I remember her keeping a tab on my hair, nails, uniform, et al." Anoop shared a lot of letters with his mom when he was away training at NSD. Now he makes it a point to call up his mom in Delhi every alternate day. On the relationship that his mother and his wife share, Anoop says, "Ritu shares a wonderful relationship with my mom. She makes sure that my mom has the best possible time when she is in Mumbai."
Many daughters call their mothers their best friends. Kishwar Merchant says, "She is very cool, more like a pal. She was the only person who supported me when I decided on my acting career. She quit her job as a general manager to take care of me during shoots. She has an excellent sense of humour." As an amazing cook, her haath ka khana is much indemand on Star Plus' Kkavyanjali sets. This over-protective mom is always in touch with her only child who has planned a big surprise for her cho-chweet mom.
Reena Kapoor aka Rani of Woh Rehne Waali Mahalon Ki avers, "After a certain age, parents start behaving like children and we need to express our love for them." It was after Reena's father passed away three years ago that she came really close to her mother. "Since then my mom has been everything to my siblings and me. Now we try to pamper her the way she did when we were young," says Reena warmly.
It's not just enough to know our parents' worth but it is very important that we express it, show our concern towards them, even if in a small way.