Sridevi Interview:TOI

Sridevi, who is making her filmi comeback after 15 years, says she'd much rather get her daughter married!

Upala KBR

Sridevi has changed from what she was 15 years ago, when I last met her. She's softer, more approachable. But ask her something sensitive and the walls come up. Gently, but firmly, I am told there are certain subjects she won't discuss. Here, she talks about her family and comeback film English Vinglish.
After 15 years (her last film being Judaai in 1997), you will be seen in a lead role in a film. Why did you stay away for so long?
I've been working since I was four. My life has only been about shootings, studios and home. Till marriage and motherhood, I was totally devoted to my work. I didn't see anything beyond it. I had done my bit as an actress. After marriage, every woman wants to settle down and have children. I was totally occupied in my little world, enjoying each and every experience that came my way.
Please continue...
Marriage and having children was a different experience altogether, and I wanted to cherish every moment — right from my daughters (Jahnavi and Khushi) taking their first steps to calling me 'mummy' to their first day in school. I didn't want to miss any moment in their lives. I appreciate the way working mothers take care of their children while juggling professional responsibilities, but I felt that I had done enough. I wanted to be there totally for my kids. Now they are grown up so I can act again. Also, they were after me to do a film again.
What are the things that you insist your daughters do?
Believe in God. I insist that they say a prayer before they leave for their exams or for any important work. I was brought up that way. Mother always did pujas and prayers at home. I have also taught them to give respect to their elders by doing namaste and touching their feet.
Is it true that you want Jahnavi to act in films?
Not at all. I think people presume that because she is my daughter
she has to become
an actress. I
feel sad
when people think I'm an aggressive mother pushing her daughter to join films or lose weight. Jahnavi is health conscious, like me. I'm extremely careful about my diet and workout, and she follows me. In fact, I play tennis with both my daughters twice a week.
What do you want her to do?
I don't want her to do anything at this point besides focussing on her studies. Jahnavi is just 15 and doing very well in school. I am happy with that. She's too young to do films or anything else. I want both my daughters to get a good education. I missed out on it as I was working from a very early age. I was very good at studies but because I became busy with films, I couldn't complete my education.
So you have no aspirations of Jahnavi becoming an actress?
None at all! In fact, I don't want her to become an actress. People
have started presuming and
even naming some hero's
son as her co-star, and we
had a big laugh about it.
Mera bas chale toh I would
get her married soon and
settle her down!
Are you a strict mother?
Between Boney (Kapoor) and me, I am the stricter one. But if I say no to something, they will go to their father and he has to say yes. Then he comes to convince me!
What made you decide on English Vinglishas your comeback film?
I never decide or plan things. I would have grabbed English Vinglish at any given time if the script had come to me even five or 10 years ago.
You did a stint on TV. Did you enjoy the experience?
To be honest, no. TV is not my cup of tea. Maybe the reason I didn't enjoy it was because my children were very small at that time.

Sridevi