Sooraj talks about how his mother has always been the pillar of strength! Read on…
Sooraj Pancholi is just one film old but the young actor has been through some tough times after being jailed in connection to his his girlfriend Jiah Khan’s alleged suicide. In his trying time, it was his family, especially his mom Zarina Wahab who stood beside him like a pillar of strength. Here he talks about his biggest support — his mom and why he feels that a bond between a mother and son is the best ever.
You live alone. Does it get difficult sometimes?
No. My mom is anyway working the whole day. She’s not at home herself. The only time we spend together is maybe on a Saturday or a Sunday. But whenever she’s home, she still cooks for me. Every day the food that I eat in the afternoon is made by mom in the morning. So, I am connected with her in that way because I feel that I meet her everyday We meet every weekend.
Tell me about your connection with her…
I never talk about my problems with anyone. I don’t discuss them with my dad because he gets hyper. So I choose not to. In my family, my mom is the strongest and the things I can share with my mom, I can’t talk about them with my sister or my dad. I would not say that she is my best friend because she isn’t. But I get the maximum comfort from her.
So you are a momma’s boy!
Not a momma’s boy. See, I have been living alone since I was with my grandparents from the time I was really young. So I can’t be called that. The bond that a mother and son have is stronger than any other bond in the world.
Why did you decide to stay alone?
I have lived with my grandparents since I was a kid. My school was around Andheri. They stayed in Bandra. So it was easier for me and I liked living with my grandparents.
Your mother comes across as somebody shy and vulnerable…
(cuts in) My mom is a lioness. From bringing us up to getting work done, she has everything sorted for the family. If it wasn’t for my mother, I don’t think our family could have stuck by each other. She kept us all together and after all, the only aim in life is to have the family together, right?
How do you usually celebrate Mothers’ Day?
We usually go for lunch or dinner. That’s all she likes doing because she does not like partying or drinking. Good food and good time spent satisfies the both of us. But we never do anything special because every day is the same. Mothers’ Day doesn’t make a difference in our relationship.
Any memories of making cards for her or gifting her something?
Yes, as a kid, I used to take money from my mom and I used to buy her a gift with the same money (smiles).
What’s the best thing you have given her as a gift?
Come to think of it now, I haven’t given her anything. But I will. I hope I keep working and become so big that I give her something she’s always dreamt of having — a house in Hyderabad. She loves the city and keeps going there every month. She has a one bedroom apartment which she doesn’t want to change. One day, when I AM capable to give her a house, I will get her a nice house in Hyderabad.
What was her reaction when you told her you wanted to act?
I have chosen my career without any pressure from them. They let me do what I want. When I told her that I bagged my film, my mom was really happy. But none of them gave me acting tips. They wanted me to do it differently. Plus, we don’t discuss work at home. Our house is not a filmy house at all. There are no posters, awards here and there.
Do you ever argue with your mom?
Never. Daughters argue with mothers. My sister and mom have a lot of fights. I and my dad can at least have a debate. I can’t do that with my mother.
Do you discuss all your problems with her?
Only if there’s a big problem that I want to get out of my system, I talk to her. I don’t like telling her all my problems because I know she gets stressed. So I keep everything inside me. But if there’s something that bothers me a lot and it becomes very tough for me to cry, then that’s when I call her and when she says hello, my tears start rolling down my eyes.
Ever confess about a crush to her?
When I was really young, I had a bike accident and she came to see me in the hospital. I was lying down on one side of the bed. Then I told her, ‘My friend is on the other chair.’ When my mom asked her about me, she told her ‘he is my boyfriend’. That’s how she found out (laughs). I feel shy to tell my parents about my relationships. I discuss them with my sister.
Who’s your mom closer to — you or your sister?
My mom is closer to me and my dad is closer to my sister.
There’s so much that has happened with respect to your dad and his controversies. How much did your mother shield you and your sister from that?
Like I said, my mom is a lioness. She is the karta dharta of the family. She takes care of everything. Right from the smallest things like oil and rice to the biggest problems in the house. She heals everyone. I think a mother is positivity in the house. That’s what she wants to spread. The happiness that she gets by bringing all of us together is something else.
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