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I don’t attach too much value to fame: Soha Ali Khan
By Arundhuti Banerjee
Mumbai, Oct 14 (IANS) Actress, producer, author Soha Ali Khan says that despite coming from a famous family, she prefers to maintain her own individuality and does not attach to much value to fame and stardom. She feels it fades away with time.
Soha is the daughter of iconic actress Sharmila Tagore and late Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and sister of actor Saif Ali Khan.
Why did the glitter and glamour of Bollywood not glue her enough to continue her journey as actress?
Soha told IANS here: “I have always had a very clear perspective on things and it is also the value that we attach to things. I do not attach too much value to fame. I understand that money is important because financial independence is empowering for making own choices.
“I want money to lead my life in my own terms and having a good lifestyle so that I can afford my juicy kiwi… But it doesn’t go beyond that. There is no obsession. Fame certainly cannot be the main element of my identity because today’s star is tomorrow’s forgotten one.”
Soha said if a person’s value lies in his or fame, that can be a “little dangerous place to live in”.
She started her career in films with “Dil Maange More” in 2004.
Since Soha grew up in Delhi, she says her childhood never revolved around the frills of Bollywood.
“Ammi (my mother) had stopped working for those years. However, the wide exposure to the industry happened when I started living in Mumbai and eventually joined the film industry. I joined film because of acting, not for glamour,” added the “Rang De Basanti” actress.
Soha, a mother of one, recently became a part of the a #TouchOfCare campaign by Vicks. The campaign delves on the story of 18-year-old Nisha Lobo, who is battling a skin disorder.
In Soha’s view, the campaign celebrates humanity, love and care for others.
“As a new mother, perhaps I understand the value of nurturing and care much better. Whether it is a skin disorder or any other problem, the fact is we are not perfect. All of us have an inner struggle. Acceptance gives us strength,” she said.
Asked about her thought behind maintaining individuality in her famous family, she said: “Look, I know that neither am I the most famous person in my family nor in the industry have I chosen to work in. But I have my own strengths. I cannot control what is happening in the world, but certainly my view and perspective on that.”
Soha has acted in several films like “Khoya Khoya Chand”, “Mumbai Meri Jaan”, “Midnight’s Children”, “Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returnsa, “Go Goa Gone” among others. Is she interested in acting anymore?
“Since I have a child now, my priorities have changed. Especially now, when my daughter is very young and I am shaping her, equipping her to take on the world, I want to live by example for my daughter. So, if I don’t want her to scream and shout, I shouldn’t be doing that to her. If I don’t want her to be obsessed by iPad, I should also stay away from it in front of her.
“Parenting is a very important job and I want to do it well. That does not mean I do not want to act, but it has to be worth committing my time,” said the author of “The Perils of Being Moderately Famous”.
(Arundhuti Banerjee can be contacted at [email protected])
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.