As actors, we should portray all the nine rasas

Supriya Pathak, who has a number of films and web shows coming up for release, talks about her films, her approach to work and life, and family bonds.

On Khichdi 2: Mission Paanthukhistan

We’re bringing this play to the theatres on public demand. It should create waves, as it sends your spirits soaring. During the pandemic, so many people told me they would watch Khichdi when they were tense, as it was refreshing. It’s a film which makes you feel happy. Laughter is the best medicine. We are all hoping that it does well.

On combating pervasive negativity

I feel the timing of Khichdi’s release is perfect – this is a time when so much horrible stuff is happening all over the world. There are wars and warlike situations, we are not sure what tomorrow has in store. This is the time that we as actors should make people laugh.

I feel the world of glitz, of which I’m also a part, is also spreading negativity, with the kind of shows that we’re coming out with. There’s no problem in coming out with dark stories, but somebody has to come out with different stuff too. All the web stories are so depressing. I feel we should also have shows which make you feel good. I’m not saying that there should only be comedy and feel-good shows.
Life is an amalgamation of all kinds of situations. Variety is the spice of life. As an actor, I try to do shows which make people smile/laugh/cry/angry/scared. There are after all nau rasas (nine emotions), and we can portray any one of them.
On women achieving a work-life balance

I have always believed that life is a game of balance. When I come to the professional arena, I cannot bring personal relationships into it, and vice-versa. I am self-employed, so I can take up work according to my convenience. But if I am working for a company, I have to respect the organisation’s timings. I feel both men and women need to give time for both work and personal life. If you are over ambitious, you forget your family, and then you will miss out. When I look back, I can say I’ve had a contented life — I didn’t give importance to any one aspect of my life and so I didn’t miss out on anything. I gave equal importance to both my family and profession.

On her ‘unusual’ bond with stepson Shahid Kapoor, son of her second husband Pankaj Kapoor, with whom she has a daughter and son

I am a mother to everybody, all three are my children. Main teeno bachcho ki maa hoon. They are all equally important to me. All our children are the same. My sons always tell me that I give more importance to my daughter and my daughter feels I give importance to my sons. Now, I can’t do anything if they fight about this amongst themselves. I have my grandchildren now and they are my life. These older ones are unimportant in comparison to the younger ones.

Changed perception of relationships

The older generation had fewer relationship options than today’s more flexible youth. As an actor, I had limited options initially, but today’s generation has more career choices.

Back then, having an affair was stigmatized, so we stayed in our relationships. Now, people change partners as easily as clothes.

After Khichdi 2: Mission Paanthukhistan, Baby Carsto is up next, followed by Manohar Pandey and Love Ki Arranged Marriage.