Rani Mukerji always had a creative bent. As a kid, she loved performing in cultural programmes at local Durga puja pandals.
She especially loved participating in poribeshon (serving food during the festival).
"I also remember performing on stage"
"My earliest memories are from the time when I was three. At that point, Durga Puja was a very close-knit family affair. All the kids from my family had to perform on stage because it’s sort of must for Bengalis. So, I also remember performing on stage and have been it since three. I became a butterfly once, and also Lord Krishna besides participating in so many of dances based on Rabindranath Tagore’s plays and other works," Mukerji opened up to a daily about her childhood experiences during pujo.
However, all this came to a screeching halt when she became a huge star in the 90s.
"I still try to go at least one day so I do the poribeshon"
"Now, unfortunately, when I go [for family’s Durga puja celebrations], there is a mini stampede. I would call that also Maa’s blessings because without that, I wouldn’t have got such fan following love and adulation. Somewhere, it’s like a dichotomy because it is Maa’s blessings that today I don’t even get to spend two minutes at the Durga Puja. I still try to make an effort to go at least one day so I do the poribeshon as that’s also something very close to my heart. I have done that from childhood so I want to continue that," says the new mum.
But now after the birth of her daughter Adira, there is a new rigour to attend pujo and teach her baby girl customs including Mukerji's favourite- poribeshon.
"If I can make Adira do the same, it will be lovely"
The new mum says, "Of course, with time, if I can make Adira do the same, it will be lovely. Just the fact that the whole family comes together under one roof once a year makes it very exciting."
"I don’t think Adira would experience things like that!"
Mukerji who had been shooting for her comeback venture also added that even though she wants Adira to have the same normal experiences she had as a child, she won't be able to give the same to her daughter.
"I don’t know because it all was very unadulterated at that time. Now even the fact that we have attended Durga puja is covered by the media. So, if I am doing a ritual at the puja, a camera constantly follows me. I don’t think Adira would experience things like that because if she goes to the pandal, she would get a lot of attention that we didn’t get as kids. When you are one of the many, your experiences are different," says the doting mum who took her daughter along for all her shoots.
Talking about being a working mum Mukerji said, "I am very excited that I could finish a movie with Adira by my side, which was my biggest challenge (smiles). It’s a special film not only because it is my first film since giving birth but also because the subject of the film is really sensitive and relevant."
While she is lucky to be in a profession that allows her to take her baby along, there are many like us who cannot afford that luxury. So the next best thing is to ask for help, especially if you have a little one. It can help in many ways.
3 reasons hiring help could change your life
- You'll be well rested and present: Many of us young mums chose to hire help in the form of a nanny. And that is nothing to be ashamed of. Think of it this way, if you are well rested and have somebody to wait on your baby's nappies all day, you can invest more time in understanding your kid, rather than simply worries about cleaning his clothes all day.
- Don't compare yourself to others: If your mother-in-law or mum or even your friends remind you that they did it by themselves, do not feel guilty. It was their decision, but you are the best judge of your own situation. Remember, trying to become a supermum by not hiring help and then cribbing later is no big deal. Being on top of every sticky situation is!
- You can work on your relationships: Many new mums may feel that now my baby is my everything, I do not need my friends or even my relatives. But this is almost like doing a disservice to your own self. Don't make everything about your baby because you want to raise independent and happy kids, not clingy and under-confident children.
Read: In pics: Protective new mum Rani Mukerji shields daughter Adira at the airport
(All images courtesy: Instagram)
