Mumbai’s Vile Parle College hosts an annual festival where they invite celebrities to speak on their life journey. Last year they had Jaya Bachchan grace the occasion and I was privileged to moderate the conversation with the actor.
On the allotted day, we expect to be led to the college hall and are surprised to be escorted to Bhaidas Theatre instead.On stage, we are perplexed to find the auditorium plunged in darkness until we figure out that they are filming the event. The spotlight is placed directly on us and Jaya requests for softer lighting. They oblige reluctantly. We are about to commence the interview, when the camera men seated in the first row begin to flash bulbs, and Jaya says she will talk only after the photographers have finished clicking. A few minutes later, it appears that the cameramen have got what they wanted and we resume our conversation.
Unfortunately, that’s not what is reported in the media the next day. The selective reporting gives an impression that Jaya Bachchan walked out of the auditorium in a huff. The truth is that despite a bad start, she honoured her commitment like a professional and the students enjoyed her journey.
Excerpts of the conversation.
What kind of a childhood did you have growing up in Bhopal?
Jaya Bachchan: Well, it was normal childhood; my two younger sisters and I went to school and we played the usual pranks at home. I’m the eldest of the siblings and I was quite naughty. I loved cycling and Bhopal is the right city for the sport because it has uneven slopes and that makes the ride very adventurous. When we became too adventurous, we were scolded by our mother.
Did you sense any difference at home as compared to your friends because your father was a journalist?
JB: Not at all. My father went to office just like fathers of other children, except that he was more recognised and respected because of his fiery writings. My sisters and I grew up without any fear or inhibitions, and the credit goes to our parents who never made us conscious of gender discrimination. There was nothing we were prevented from doing because we were girls and which is why I think we never missed having a brother.
Satyajit Ray offered you Mahanagar when you were just 13...
JB: Yes, a common contact spoke to my father and my father shared the thought with me. He said I have been given an opportunity and the choice is mine. I said ‘yes’ instantly and enjoyed the experience. I’m always surprised when other child stars speak of traumatic experiences, because my memories of shooting Mahanagar were absolutely delightful. I was thoroughly pampered on the sets and was fed chocolates.
So how did the idea of going to FTII occur to you?
JB: I was always attracted to acting, maybe not consciously but I liked participating in school theatre and did professional radio dramas as well. Our family was enrolled in the local film society and this exposed us to both regional and international cinema. And when we got home, father discussed the nuances over meals. One day, my father was critical of an actor and remarked that he should be professionally trained. I was fascinated with the theory and asked him if such schools existed. He said there was one coming up in Pune soon, and a few months later there was an ad in the papers inviting potential actors for auditions, and I applied too.
Was it that simple?
JB: It was not. It called for a series of examinations – written, oral, acting and improvising. The tests were based in Delhi. At that time the school was not called FTII because television was not yet launched in India. I went through all the examinations and was rejected in all the tests, so I had not pinned any hopes. The last was the acting exam where you are given a scene and asked to emote. I must have scored well because I received a letter stating that I was selected. I was excited but also confused. It was my sisters who pushed me to go to FTII. They said everybody becomes a graduate and gets married but not everybody gets an opportunity to become an actor and I must go for it.
How was it being in a different city and different surroundings?
JB: I loved Poona and the institute campus from the very first day I arrived. I loved the atmosphere, the course, the films we watched and the friends we made. Most people feel that institute students just sit under the wisdom tree and chat all day, but this is not true. We did a lot of hard work, there was so much to learn, to absorb and grow.
You did not miss Bhopal and family?
JB: I was always a free bird, too independent to be tied down. I spoke to family often and when I missed them, I rushed home. By nature I’m not the kind to cling to one place, I like adventure. While at the institute I was offered two films - Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Guddi and Uphaar ... there was a third film too and they wanted me to shoot immediately. But the faculty declined the offer because it was against the rules. They felt allowing a student to shoot before completing the course would demoralise other students and they were right.
You quit movies at the peak of your career. Was it the right decision in retrospect?
JB: It was the right decision for me at that time and I have no regrets. I was getting offered the same kind of films/roles and did not find them challenging. On the other hand, I was attracted to the idea of starting a family with the man I loved and I followed my heart. When I felt I was ready to face the camera again, I did and when I wanted to do something else, I did that too.
From Bhopal to Pune to Mumbai and now a parliamentarian in Delhi, are you enjoying your new role?
JB: Yes. I like visiting the parliament, listening to the discussions and raising questions. It’s a stimulating environment and it opens your world view. I’m fortunate to have a home in both Mumbai and Delhi, and to be a part of cinema and the political world. Both are different and engaging.
(Bhawana Somaaya has been writing on cinema for 30 years and is the author of 12 books. Twitter: @bhawanasomaaya)
(This article is from The Quint’s archives and was first published on August 24, 2016. It is now being republished to mark Jaya Bachchan’s birthday.)
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