Namrata's Tense Moments

Mahesh Babu's milestone 25th film Maharshi which hit the screens yesterday is getting good response at the box office. His wife Namrata Shirodkar speaking to scribes revealed that everytime her husband's film releases, she experiences tense moments.

She says, “I can never bring myself to watch Mahesh’s films. It’s way too stressful for me. All his family members are eager to attend and enjoy the previews of his films like normal people. But I sit at home chewing my nails, praying, wondering if this one will be as big as the previous one, and so on. It’s pure agony! Mahesh tells me to chill, but that’s impossible to do.”

On her children Gautam and Sitara entering films, she says, “I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s too stressful. But they are welcome to become actors if they really wish to. I don’t compromise on my motherly duties. Everything else comes later.”

Namrata on rumours that she decides on Mahesh's personal and professional choices says, “It just seems that way. Of course, he consults me on all important matters. But Mahesh is a fiercely independent-minded individual. He respects my opinion. But that doesn’t mean he will blindly accept all my decisions.”

On why she gave up her successful career as an actress, the former Miss India says, “You’re right. I didn’t. I never sought roles or asked any director to sign me on. I did some really big films like Vaastav with Sanjay Dutt, Pukar with Anil Kapoor and Jab Pyar Kissi se Hota Hai with Salman Khan. But I didn’t make any effort to cash in on their success. On the other hand, my sister (actress Shilpa Shirodkar) was career-driven. I was laidback and never bothered about the box-office etc. I guess I’m making up for my own lack of interest in my career by being so keenly interested in my husband’s career."

Namrata stresses, “There was never a burning desire to be  a top actress in the first place. I happily gave up my career to marry Mahesh. And luckily, in the 14 years of our marriage, there has never been a single moment of regret or bitterness. People find it hard to believe that we’re so happy together after all these years."