17 November,2011 09:23 AM IST | | Sheena Thomas
Shiney Ahuja doesn't take fame for granted anymore. The actor who had his moments of glory with films like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Gangster and Life In A Metro before he went to jail on charges rape, gracefully accepts the brickbats too. In fact, he says a little prayer before every interview that he gives, because he knows that he will be bombarded with 'difficult questions.' Now ready to make a comeback of sorts, he tries to answer some of them for CS:
Who: Shiney Ahuja
What: Talking about making a fresh start
Welcome back
Even though I felt a little awkward getting back to work, my cast and crew made me feel very welcome. My director received me with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine. Incidentally we started shooting on my birthday, so my family made it a point to be there. After I'd finished cutting the cake, my father started clapping and wished me well for my career. That was a very emotional moment for me.
Rediscovering me
I think my life's experiences have made me more sensitive and emotional, and maybe that helps me emote better. I believe that the best acting school is your life and it has taught me a lot. I think I've become more mature and vulnerable overtime. My family has been a source of strength to me. Anupam, my wife has been like a rock, by my side. My mom is a sardarni, so my dad who is an ex-army officer keeps stating that I'm an 'Aadha Sardar'. I do have a fighter's spirit and I think I get that from both my parents. My family hasn't shied away from the media, so why should I?
Question mark
I understand that every journalist has a heart, so it is as difficult for them to ask me an insensitive question, as it is for me to answer it. Having said that, I also know that negative news tends to have more readership, so it is only natural that scribes would be interested in me and my story. All I can do is answer every difficult question in the best possible way, and honestly. But that doesn't mean that I find it easy. I say a prayer before every interview and thank God once the interview is over. My life's experiences have made me depend on God a little more. When you run into a crisis, it's possible to lose your faith in everything good. But I'm glad that this didn't happen to me. I guess it must be because of the blessings of my family, parents and my ancestors'.