Jaya Bhaduri was already Bachchan by the time I became a journalist and those were days, when Amitabh was not talking to the media. Her husband’s ban on the journalist however did not affect her natural responses. During those days, I bumped into her at the oddest venues – a musical concert, airport, Prithvi Theatre, hospital and always Jaya candidly chatted on cinema and other topics. I learnt from Jaya that love is not submission.
Shabana Azmi, remains the strongest source of influence on my career after Shashi Kapoor. I have imbibed precious lessons of life and art, just hanging around her. Her responses to movies/ theatre/ acting/ poetry have been inspiring. She has been my go-to person in conflict and she has never let me down. Her contribution in my growth as a journalist and an individual is invaluable.