Y.Sunita Chowdhary
Anything that Anasuya does kicks up a storm. While she admits she has lot more negative people following her on her social media handle, she prefers to be happy, content. There is also a small group of fans who understand what she says and they stand by her at all times, just as her family does. Recently when a co-actor expressed his anguish at the amount of fake news that is doing the rounds and is hurting him and his family, Anasuya tweeted that one understands the problem only when it comes to them. Well, there was bashing and trolling again but Anasuya as usual didn’t retract and she doesn’t need to. She always spoke her mind and she is proud of that. She tells us, she tweeted that because she is a very emotional person and no matter what managers and PRs say, she would want to remain like that. “I don’t understand diplomacy and being politically correct. I am not amicable with these terms. My hubby always said that he likes that I am naïve and hopes the quality doesn’t fade away no matter how much I mature. I want to speak my mind as long as I know I am right. Whenever I talk like this, people bring Jabardasth into the picture and I have to give a disclaimer that it is just for fun.”
The actor’s reactions to social issues or otherwise was never conditional. She always took a stand. Recently on the Menstrual Hygiene Day, she dared to share her period story and won many hearts. There have been celebrities approached by media houses and channels for bytes and interviews and we know many of them dithered and some refused to talk of it as if it were a taboo. “I can only talk for myself, I keep my social responsibility ahead of my social image. Many of us, the female artistes are subject to body shaming, vulgar texting. Most of us are disturbed yet we have probably developed a thick skin but what about young, innocent and timid girls? What about them, when they want to show off their new clothes at their age? They are vulnerable. I don’t want my fans to disrespect people.”
Lot of people are in awe of her for the way she grooms herself, her sartorial choices and her fitness regimen but it definitely peeves her when they remark how she does that despite having two kids? “My driver and staff do great work but how does it matter if they are married or have four kids. It is all about professionalism and responsibility. In all these years, I have never cross checked or bothered to remind myself that I am married or I am a mom. I know for the fact that even if I am not part of the industry I would still be conscious of my looks. We have a history of healthy upbringing, I want to look good for my husband. I personally feel fit and beautiful. I believe in inner beauty and inner engineering, I don’t go to the parlour frequently but when I do it is for a foot and a head massage.” We ask her if she noticed a portion of audience shifting to OTT platform during lockdown? “The beauty of cinema will always be there as long as you understand its importance. You can’t have game shows and personal interactions on OTT platform. I did have a couple of enquiries but I was actually scared for TV when I heard they were having a plan to have a game show that I did earlier. I am possessive about television and will give it my best to keep it alive. Having said that I agree, OTT is keeping us busy in this lockdown. It will be difficult for OTT to compete with television.”
Recalling the last day of shoot before the lockdown, Anasuya says, “March 23 was the last day and I was shooting back to back, morning for TV and night for film. I was glad for that one day. When they said ten days lock down, I was confused. I have my contacts and found out that this Covid 19 is going to trouble us for on and off for the next two years. Initially I was told that this will be till November. When I work I get my money, no one will pay me on the first of every month just like that. We all have our own expenses. Recently we heard two people from the television industry took the lives. I fall into trouble or be safe by over thinking. I was on the verge of getting depressed because I over think. I think I should stop it; if I weren’t given work in any situation, I will retire and do farming. I will pluck from my own kitchen and whip up a healthy breakfast. When I am not wanted, I really want to do farming, so acquired a small piece of land and hope to have a Kerala style home. So I thought why don’t I do some warming sessions in the lockdown. Sometimes your dreams don’t match your capacity so I was testing. I was also thinking of kids and their school, their time gone is gone and I also knew I wouldn’t get this time again. The revival will be difficult for all as long as we don’t think and look out for each other, things will not work.”
Anasuya says while she found time to rediscover herself, her children and her surroundings…she has learned and unlearned many things. She remarks it is human tendency that you don’t want to listen to something that people tell you to do. “Our ancestors made us do a lot of things in the name of god, tradition, by instilling fear or care in us. The family knows that it is the only way they can get us to do things. I would be rebellious and mom would say she was obedient and never questioned her parents. Now I see the quality of life is deteriorating. Our immunity would have been good had we followed the basic protocol passed on by our ancestors. When they say break the chain, I was like whoever asked you to bring the chain in. I mean no offense to the affection, the hugs, kisses, hand shakes; It is just people didn’t have parameters, they took things for granted and nature has taken over. Children are happy that I am home and since the domestic help is back, they are missing my cooking. I would cherish every moment of this time and same time missing my work too. Never got a break like this for a long time.”
