It is not often that legendary stars in the south grant an interview. And never in the history of Indian cinema has an iconic star agreed to play a smaller role than an 84-year old woman. The focus definitely was grandma-centric. But when the lady happens to be his effervescent “84-year-old girlfriend” Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, Kamal Haasan instantly gave his nod.
On a pleasant Friday morning at his art deco office, there was a blanket of calm. No hangers-on, no zillion assistants. Just a pleasant young man traying in a glass of hot water. The veranda-esque main room filled with art and character is nostalgic. An oil canvas out of which a hundred faces of the star stare back is the statement piece of the room. Kamal Haasan decides to keep me company while we await ‘Paati’s’ (grandmother) arrival.
Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy is no ordinary woman, she had once humorously heckled Mahatma Gandhi asking him to speak in Tamil if he wished for her to speak in Hindi. The Padma Shree awardee has designed her destiny and the future of thousands of students who have studied at her Padma Seshadri institutions. The life she has lived is filled with progressive acts, rock & roll to Carnatic classics and creating healthy spaces in marriage. As we discuss the illustrious lady’s life, her luxury sedan rolls in.
Dressed in organge splendour she warmly wishes all the staff, who by now had arrived to catch a glimpse of the lady who their boss Kamal Haasan so admires.
Beginnings
KH: I come from an artistic family. My father wanted his children to be involved in the Arts. My brother took to singing and my sister was a classical dancer. I grew up to the sound of anklets and lilting melodies.
RP: My parents were very progressive. My mother played tennis. They encouraged fashion sensibilities, healthy appreciation of the opposite sex and all the extra-curricular activities I was interested in. I was a rebel of sorts.
School talk
KH: We shifted to Chennai for my mother’s treatment when her chronic diabetes worsened. We stayed at her brother’s place and I went to Holy Angels school. Yes, I know it’s a girl’s school. But they allowed boys till third standard. I ran away on day 1, caught a taxi and got home.
RP: (Laughs) You must be really lucky. In school, we had a mathematics teacher who was dead against the idea of co-education. But I believed that — if one can find love at school and a suitable partner who will study and grow together, why not?
KH: That’s why she is an inspiration. She is one youngster I envy for her wit and spontaneity. (Laughs)
Indian identity
KH: Being an Indian is a matter of pride. I hoist the Indian flag every Independence day. It is imperative for us as Indians to be proud of the greats that this country has produced and the values they’ve stood for.
RP: We need to Indianise our students. When I was in school, the freedom struggle was in full swing. And our British principal was perturbed when I requested permission to be a part of the march against foreign rule. I am proud that A.R. Rahman was my student and he is one person who retains his identity despite every culture, nation and sect courting him.
Love
KH: Love hasn’t changed since Buddha ate pork and died. We have coloured love with varying degrees of prejudice, experience and agendas. The core of the emotion remains intact. Love is a four-letter word too! (Laughs) Love came into existence before language did. Money and sex being linked to love has sullied the feeling more. It is not about nightlife or cuddling up in bars. It is when I wake up in the morning and see my partner smiling at me. It is when my children share their achievements with me.
RP: Love is when a young child proudly looks at his parents during graduation. Many of us have experienced that pure love and I am sure it exists. Love to me has always been a sense of security. I have a simple formula: AIR — accountability, integrity and responsibility. That is love.
cinema
KH: Indian cinema by and large has come of age except for in this part of the country. Sadly, cinema has also meant the death knell for theatre. The mono-culture of cinema and serials has overshadowed acting brilliance, which was such an intrinsic part of the theatre scene.
RP: I like all kinds of cinema, especially Kamal’s movies with a message. (She breaks into a song while Kamal Haasan smiles) I have gone on Kamal’s sets and have even played a small role. (Laughs)
Society
KH: As a society we have become more conscientious after the Tsunami and the 9/11 attacks. We have learnt to value relationships and life’s little pleasures a lot more. It is a welcome change, but it is sad that we need fatal incidents to make us realise the value of each other and life itself.
RP: I always look at society and take the good things. We learn so much from people and the places we meet them at.
Social life
KH: Sadly, my fame and star status has prevented me from leading the life that I would like. And with all my filmi avatars, I have blown my chances of pulling on a mask and walking around (Laughs). I now rely on pictures, films and the Internet to sight ordinary things.
RP: I have no such issues (Laughs). I am never at home from 6pm to 9pm. I find something to do every evening. Even in a wheel-chair I make it a point to attend classical music shows, funky jazz bands and catch an occasional bout of shopping and cinema too.
Art
KH: Art that I cannot understand is of no use to me. I buy art that permeates people. There should be clarity of thought in an artist’s mind. She will know better about art since she was the member of the Censor board.
RP: I feel art shouldn’t hurt people’s sentiments. M.F. Hussain’s crude representation of our gods hurts me a lot. Artistic freedom should be used to appeal to the senses.
Religion
RP: I am a Vaishnavite, (flaunts her saree which has a symbolic reference to her leanings) this is my style statement. This is a religion that considers all forms of god. It propogates a ‘love all’ ideology. I did my Ph.D in Ramanujam’s philosophy of Vaishnavism while my husband was ailing in hospital in 1999. I gave my exams and did well.
KH: I have imbibed Vaishnavism, although I was not born into it. Any religion touches me because essentially they all preach love, tolerance and respect. We shouldn’t misconstrue religion.
Cooking & Diet
KH: I have cooked only once in my life, it was at my mom’s place and she said it would be a crime if I continued doing it. I enjoy good food but no cravings really as I came before the advent of the refrigerator. But I also feel food has changed for the worst, never in the history of mankind have such few people been responsible for the food of so many people.
RP: I can proudly say I have never entered the kitchen and don’t know how to cook. I am a vegetarian and love chocolates.
Music
RP: I like Carnatic music but I can also rock & roll to modern tunes.
KH: Opera music. Thanks to Shruti’s passion, I listen to rock more these days. Carnatic music will always be special to me.
Sexy clothes
KH: I like simple clothes. Not too picky.
RP: Indian clothes are elegant and can be very sexy too. It hides a lot but provides moments of discovery (Laughs).
Marriages
RP: Women should never endure abusive relationships. Walking out at the initial signs of abuse is a must. Not after kids come into the world.
KH: I feel marriages and conversation on it is multi-layered. It totally depends. But I would say suicide is criminal, divorce is not, so stop contemplating taking your life and instead get out of a bad relationship.
Although these two stalwarts have met many a times, their conversation seems as refreshing as it would have been on their first date. She gently nods in approval when Kamal speaks, he affectionately laughs at her comments. This duo redefines love.