The book you are reading at present: Emotion and Healing in the Energy Body by Robert Henderson.

 

How has the film industry changed over the years? The numbers have got bigger with the corporates coming in. New genres are being explored and the audience is expanding their vision. Story has become the king finally. Newcomers are getting the opportunity to showcase their talent. I see a lot more women behind the scenes, whether as ADs, DOP, producers or directors. 

 

Your most memorable moment: A lot of memories have to do with my children and their growing years. Professionally, of course, the success of my first serial Kachhi Dhoop, my first film Maine Pyaar Kiya, my first Filmfare award and, in the recent years, studying and receiving a nutrition consultant degree.

 

The greatest influence in your life: My children. 

 

Tell us about your transition from acting to becoming a nutritionist: It began when I had a serious health issue and I was unable to move my right hand. I had scapula dealignment and bursitis of the rotator cuff – a calcification that was 2 cm and hard as stone. I had the shock of my life when I was told that I would need a major surgery – which I vehemently opposed. I decided to go for alternative therapy through nutrition and exercise to heal myself and started studying the same. The doctors were stunned to the see results. Acknowledgment of emotional well-being and self-care through nutrition and exercise is needed to optimise your health, which is something people need to understand. I help people achieve this in my Back2Basics programme and make sure I lead by example.

 

Your views on commercialisation of health: Unfortunately, the medical profession has come under the scanner because of a few people trying to make money out of others’ misfortune. The uneducated are the obvious target but even those who are aware are completely helpless when doctors give them a list of tests and procedures that scare the patients. But it’s not just the doctors or hospitals; even pharma companies have a field day with many people having a mindset of quick fixes and fast results. 

 

Your view about #MeToo movement: It was imperative that this movement would come to the fore to give women support as otherwise gender bias and the patriarchal society cannot afford them. However, a few women who have misused this out of personal grudges have done disservice to others. 

 

How can we achieve gender equality and woman empowerment amidst cultural barriers? Gender equality starts at home. We have the onus to teach our children to respect all women. Our culture teaches us that Shakti is a woman. In our country, we pray to Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga, Kali – the goddesses of wealth, learning, strength and the power to destroy evil – they all are female forms of energy. Our culture does teach us women empowerment; unfortunately, our men have not tried to learn from this aspect of our culture.

 

What does governance mean to you? It covers every aspect of day-to-day living. For a society to be truly evolved there needs to be suitable decorum and equal respect for all. Individuals committed to ensure such governance have to be sincere, diligent, empathetic, disciplined and unbiased.

 

Governance issues that matter to you the most: Women’s safety, education for all and having one law for all.

 

At the moment you are busy with: Working on a couple of southern films releasing in April and reading up on new projects to be finalised soon.