{"id":325021,"date":"2020-07-31T09:20:30","date_gmt":"2020-07-31T09:20:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tehelka.com\/?p=325021"},"modified":"2020-07-31T09:20:58","modified_gmt":"2020-07-31T09:20:58","slug":"rendezvous-from-the-past-relinquishing-films-was-our-mutual-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rendezvous-from-the-past-relinquishing-films-was-our-mutual-decision\/","title":{"rendered":"Rendezvous from the past: \u2018Relinquishing films was our mutual decision\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Vyjayantimala Bali\/83 years<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Actor, dancer & politician<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

It was in the spring of 1990 that I had set out to interview Vyjayantimala Bali in New Delhi. To be nearer precision at the Kamani Auditorium where she was rehearsing for her solo performance \u2018Om Shantih ! Om Shantih ! Om Shantih !\u2019 \u2026It was just a day before the show but she looked rather relaxed \u2026Dressed casually in a cotton shalwar kameez, with her short hair tied firmly back in a pony-tail, her well-manicured hands\/fingers fitted with several rings, she talked spontaneously whilst rehearing, checking the music, directing the floor manager and checking the slides. Not the least ruffled, she\u2018d kept offloading. \u201cThrough this form of art, my dance, I want to convey the message of peace \u2026 I carry my \u2018Om Shantih books, manuscripts on dance, just about everywhere. I am doing research- study on the traditional temple dance forms. I am curious and want every detail explained to me through scholars and pundits.I\u2019m concentrating only on the ancient forms, for why go creating new forms when there are so many of the ancient\u2026I feel there is something very spiritual about Bharatanatyam, otherwise how could it have survived through the ravages of time \u2026 I have so many thoughts brimming in my head and time just passes off in a twinkle.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

And with that take off these other details followed \u2014 as a shy five years old she had performed Bharatanatyam for the Pope in Rome. As a studious \u201cintrovert\u201d class tenth student her dance performance in Madras\/Chennai had caught the attention of the producers of AVM production. And her very first film \u2018Bahaar\u2019 had left the audience spellbound! Of course, her other 54 or more films continued to do the same, till 1968 when she\u2018d opted for marriage. As she\u2019d quipped, \u201c thereafter I did not retire but relinquished films.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, later she\u2019d made inroads into the political and as an Member of the Parliament she\u2019d represented the South Madras constituency. And with dance remaining one of those constants in her life.<\/span><\/p>\n

I interviewed her in around March 1990. I must add that thereafter (after 1990) on the couple of occasions when she\u2019d spotted me, she\u2019d made it a point to say a very warm hello and we\u2019d chatted for a while. She came across as cultured and friendly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited Excerpts from the interview \u2022<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

When you are\/were so inclined towards classical dance why did you move towards films and with that gave dance a backseat all through the most creative years of your life?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0First of all, even in my films, my dancing \u2014 Bharatanatyam – influenced the films and not the other way round. All through my film career, my dancing continued. In fact, after shooting, when I\u2019d returned home I \u2018d be in a totally different atmosphere \u2014 no filmi stuff but only traditional music and my dance\u2026Also, let me point out that I \u2018d never opted for films.It was only incidentally that I\u2019d joined the film industry.I come from a traditional South Indian family and being the only child led a very protective life. My grandmother wanted me to go for further studies, but one of the directors of AVM Productions was a close family friend and when he saw one of my dance performances he\u2019d also coaxed and convinced my grandfather to let me take a role \u2026it wasn\u2019t a romantic role but one of those roles which was centred around dance. In fact, I didn\u2019t even realize what acting was The film was such a hit, that other films followed \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Did you ever repent having joined the film industry?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

No, never… The film industry treated me with so much love and affection.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Your name was linked with the RK camp. Comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

(she\u2019d looked straight at me ; her large expressive eyes had looked all the more expressive) \u2014 Gossip! Gossip will always be there. As a film star you are in public eye. All this is a lot of exaggeration especially where the RK camp was concerned. Tell me who isn\u2019t linked with them? In fact, all these \u2018links\u2019 are needed to boost the film; publicity gimmicks. Even in the West all the actors are linked with their co-stars for this very purpose.<\/span><\/p>\n

Which, according to you, have been your most memorable films?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

What I consider to be my best are \u2014 Ganga Jamuna, Madhumati, Amrapali, New Delhi and Naya Daur.<\/span><\/p>\n

And your favourite co-stars?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, I worked maximum with Dilip Kumar \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

When your son Suchindra sees your films how did he react?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

(she\u2019d laughed, smiled and laughed) Well, he\u2019s quite appreciative but whilst he is watching one of those films and if I happen to be sitting nearby, he looks at me in wonder and quips, \u2018Mummy is it really you who has done all that!\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

How do you react when you see yourself doing dance and song sequences?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, I\u2019m not different than my son. Even I feel the same way. Really, can\u2019t believe it\u2019s me!<\/span><\/p>\n

After your marriage you quit films. And even when you were offered roles you refused. Why this rigidity?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

See, after my marriage it was a mutual decision (my husband\u2019s and my decision) to relinquish films. And I feel it was a very wise decision because at that time I was at the top \u2026Yes, even now I have been offered roles but I have declined them. Why play character or mothers\u2019 roles!<\/span><\/p>\n

How would you compare films of your days with today\u2019s?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Though I had been part of the film fraternity but don\u2019t have a clue to today\u2019s film industry. Yes, occasionally I do see some films. Technically, improvement is there and there is plenty of talent but I also see and feel that in today\u2019s films there is a lot of portrayal of violence and obscenity and cruelty. In fact, when I was on the Censor Board I was very particular that violence and vulgarity in films should not be encouraged.<\/span><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know why they are making these type of films. They, that is the producers, say that they are depicting real life situations but why depict this!<\/span><\/p>\n

Today\u2019s youngsters don\u2019t like seeing so much of violence and I had been talking to a cross section of the young and they told me they don\u2019t like seeing so much of violence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who are your favourite actors\/actresses of today\u2019s cinema?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

There are several talented stars \u2014 Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Coming to your film career, it\u2019s said that your late husband, Dr Bali, wanted you to quit the film industry and that\u2019s why you did so.<\/span><\/p>\n

No, it was a mutual decision. He was too gentle and too considerate and suave to ever force his views on me. In fact, he was God sent for me.(at this point she throws up her hands, as though thanking God up there!)<\/span><\/p>\n

How did you meet him – your husband, the late Dr Bali?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, that was the most interesting phase of my life \u2026actually during one of the film shootings in Bombay I wasn\u2019t too well so the director got him to treat me. That\u2019s how it started \u2026.And slowly I realized that when he didn\u2019t come I missed him a lot \u2026That\u2019s how I knew it was love.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long did it take you to realize you were in love with Dr Bali?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

He told me that I realized it much later though he had <\/span>realized it much earlier \u2026actually I loved his company. He was a very gentle and kind person.<\/span><\/p>\n

How did you drift towards politics?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Well, my husband thought that I <\/span>had the makings of a politician, so <\/span>he wanted me to join politics. In fact, <\/span>it happened slowly \u2014 in the beginning we toured Tamil Nadu and saw <\/span>the chaos spread around and how funds were being misused and people\u2019s disillusionment with the administration \u2026.Wherever we toured we saw for ourselves another reality: how people loved Mrs Indira Gandhi and so when we visited New Delhi we met Indira Gandhi and told her the state of affairs in Tamil Nadu,and even told her about my own inclination towards joining politics. She\u2019d smiled encouragingly \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

But weren\u2019t there any apprehensions \u2014 with you being a former film star turning into full-time politician?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

People knew I was\/I am a very serious person. It wasn\u2019t that I was just about hopping from one profession to another \u2026After all, I quit the film industry in 1968 and I entered politics years later \u2014 in the early 1980s \u2026Also, people knew about my integrity. So there was no problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

It was said that once you were in politics it was your husband who was the guiding force and he didn\u2019t let you make or take any independent decisions. Comment.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

That\u2019s wrong. But it is a fact that I never said \u2018no\u2019 to whatever he said because I had that faith in him. I knew whatever he was advising me or doing was for my good… Our relationship was very strong\u2026we bonded.<\/span><\/p>\n

But once you made it in politics did your husband ever show uneasiness or regret \u2013 with you being in the <\/span>very limelight and away from home for days?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We always travelled together. In fact, why should I have travelled alone ! In fact, even on the tennis court or golf course we were always together \u2026.With him I\u2019d changed totally ; earlier I was known to be an introvert but he made me so full of confidence\u2026.I\u2018d developed interest in tennis, golf, and my interest in Bharatanatyam became an obsession because he loved Bharatanatyam \u2026Ours was a very strong relationship…a very strong bonding.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

How did you cope after your husband Dr Bali\u2019s demise?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

After his death I thought of leaving everything \u2014 dance, politics \u2026but then in the same breath I\u2019d thought that how could I leave because he always wanted me to continue in both these spheres.<\/span><\/p>\n

After his death, why did you think of setting up Dr.Bali Pharma Foundation?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

He died in 1986 because of brain haemorrhage and the unavailability of a life saving drug \u2014 glycerol. We needed 10 bottles of glycerol but managed to procure only 1 bottle, because it wasn\u2019t just available at any cost. You can imagine how I must have felt! With all the resources we couldn\u2019t save him because that particular drug wasn\u2019t available. And with this in the backdrop I decided to set up this Trust \u2026 so that we could provide life saving drugs to those battling for life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some controversy had erupted after your husband\u2019s death <\/span>about his will \u2014 it was <\/span>contested by his first wife and her sons. How did you deal with that trauma? How did you fight that legal battle?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

We \u2014 my son and I \u2014 won in the Court. After all, truth does prevail. \u2026Unpleasant things keep happening, what to do! But always have faith in yourself and the rest will follow smoothly. I do believe in this line of Shakespeare \u2014 \u2018This, above all, to thine self be true\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

Comment on this \u2013is it very tough for a woman to survive in politics?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, it is very tough for a woman to survive in politics. It is dominated by men.On all those marches and in those public meetings women are jostled and pushed around\u2026it gets tough.<\/span><\/p>\n

Crimes against women on the rise. How do you think they be tackled?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I feel that no amount of laws would be enough to tackle this. What you need is severe punishment. Even small countries are tackling this by severest forms of punishment so why can\u2019t we?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

letters@tehelka.com<\/span><\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Vyjayantimala Bali\/83 years Actor, dancer & politician It was in the spring of 1990 that I had set out to interview Vyjayantimala Bali in New Delhi. To be nearer precision at the Kamani Auditorium where she was rehearsing for her solo performance \u2018Om Shantih ! Om Shantih ! Om Shantih !\u2019 \u2026It was just a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":325030,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[23,2205],"tags":[13237,13236],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/325021"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=325021"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/325021\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":325041,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/325021\/revisions\/325041"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/media\/325030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=325021"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=325021"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tehelka.com\/rest-api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=325021"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}