Nadia who made her debut in the industry as a 19-year-old took a long break after marriage and devoted time to raising her lovely daughters, Sanam and Jana. She made a comeback breaking the stereotypical role of a mother, with her critically acclaimed performance in ‘M Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi’. An embodiment of grace and poise Nadia is defying the science of aging and continues to be the role model to many women. While Nadia has mostly portrayed herself as the fun-loving, easy going girl, we wanted to know more about what she was like off the screen.
Both your daughters must be taking several leaves out of your fashion book, what do they think of your fashion sense?
My younger one is very critical about the way I dress. She loves to dress and loves make-up. Whenever I wear an outfit, I need an approval from all of them. If I’m unsure of what I’m wearing, I parade in front of my husband and children. Of course most of the times they will have three different opinions followed by an argument, but my daughters are pretty much there in their ballpark with their fashion and own style sense. My daughters also think I am pretty outdated with my style sense.
How do your daughters react when they see you on screen, especially in the movies of yesteryears?
“Honestly, my daughters have not seen my movies, because language is a barrier and that is where my worst parenting skill has happened, I did not force language learning. They do understand Malayalam and Marathi well, but they do not speak it. And unfortunately, they watch my films only if it is on TV, however, my husband has watched all my films. He is pretty supportive and seldom critical. In fact, my husband keeps telling my daughters that “your mama is a big star in the South!”
You come from the previous generation, battling with the current and trying to fit into the future, how are you as a parent of this generation as bringing up children is difficult and different these days?
We have to evolve as parents; we have to be very open to what their views are. I can talk to my girls literally on anything, whether it is on boyfriends, transgender issues or gay/lesbian issues. My daughters have really opened me up in many aspects as to what people think, how they are looked at, and how we are judgmental. But when you look at it from their perspective, sometimes I feel there is too much interpretation and too much is being read into than what it is, but the children have a point and we should listen to them. I think LISTENING is the key. One important value I’d like to share with parents is something that I practice: whatever it is, never cover up for your children!
What is your message to the mothers out there who consider themselves “stereotypical” and do you think the patriarchal society has an impact on this impression set?
I feel the women should also take some responsibility for considering themselves “stereotypical” because when the mothers get their daughters married, they always tell their girls; listen to whatever your husband says, or bend all rules for your in-laws, dress appropriately and the list goes on. I think we women have to empathize with other women, then expecting it from a patriarchal society. I think we as women need to be more unified, and be kind to our own kind.This will make a huge difference.