Chitrangada Singh, the woman behind the star

Mumbai: Of all the speculations and preconceived notions that a celebrity comes packed with, underneath it all there are some defining truths that shine through when you personally interact with them. I’ve often found people come and say to me, “Oh but you’re so warm and nice”, which never ceases to amuse me. What was I supposed to be after all? And so, with Chitrangada Singh — the absolutely stunning actor, when I saw her at a charity auction, throwing all inhibitions to the wind and cajoling and convincing the audience to spend for the underprivileged girl child education — I wanted to know the person behind the baggage of bias.

Chitrangada comes across as an ebullient, opinionated and warm ‘army brat’ (as kids from Army backgrounds are generally called), who is grounded and has clear thinking. But the one aspect that defines her life, as she claims is the state of motherhood. On the mention of her son, the actress’s brown eyes sparkled with tenderness. “I feel like I was born to be a mother. I had given up work and I wished to have something which was completely mine. It was a unique feeling that I cannot put into words.”

Conversing over some hot scones and English style tea that she had served, Chitrangada shared, “None of what happened to me was planned. Films happened by chance. I was studying to become a dietician at Lady Irwin College in Delhi, when Manpreet Brar, one of my seniors at college, suggested modelling. It was a bit tight situation at home, so I took it up to earn pin money".

"Gulzar saab saw a video and I was invited to audition for Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi. Sudhir Misra had only invited NSD students and no models. After several auditions, I got an opportunity to work with stalwarts like Yashpal Yadav, Kay Kay Menon and other mainstream actors. After working in seven-eight films, I decide to take a break and I had a kid. The interesting thing is that I never premeditated the decision, nor did I ever hide the fact that I had a child. After I resumed work in 2008, a lot of work poured in despite having a kid.”

The actress is known for her sex appeal and for creating a niche for herself in the industry. She says, “I believe, the one thing that you cannot put on hold is your life and say that I only want to pursue my career or that I only want to rear kids. It should be fair, like men. They do everything together — work, kids and everything else. I will not compartmentalise life, and not give up on the most enjoyable thing that is motherhood.”

She further adds, “I never evaluated the repercussions of motherhood or asked myself how it would impact my work. It never occurred to me to ever stop and think ‘how will I go back’? Everything was purely instinctive. Having a child is like connecting with one’s self — a child is an intrinsic part of you, and you can only know the feeling when you experience it. There are so many working mothers who try to juggle between office and household work. But I’m fortunate enough in balancing the two. I have it way easier than many others. I don’t shop for vegetables on my way home. Thank god, I have someone to do it.”

In a milieu where DINKS (double income no kids) is the new lifestyle trend, it is refreshing to see a glamorous lady devoting her precious time to her child and happily making him the top priority in her life.

The author is a luxury consultant and lifestyle columnist.

You can mail her at nishajamvwal@gmail.com