Important To Own Up To Your Age And Grow Old Gracefully, Says Actor Suchitra Pillai

Some of you might remember her as Priya, the overbearing girlfriend of Saif Ali Khan's Sameer in Dil Chahta Hai. Others would even remember her as Alaknanda ma'am- the cool teacher in Hip Hip Hurray. In a career spanning decades,  Suchitra Pillai has established herself as an actor who never shied from experimenting. With time, her selection of roles continues to impress viewers.

Talking about the change in the entertainment industry that she has witnessed firsthand, Pillai shares, "I’ve seen it from how it was right way back when we didn’t have mobile phones but it’s been an incredible journey." While her journey started with Hip Hip Hurray, Raahe, Star Bestseller and X Zone, Pillai has been a part of many recent successful shows Betaal, Masaaba Masaaba, and Made In Heaven. Recently she was seen as Meena in Eternally Confused and Eager for Love opposite Rahul Bose. SheThePeople caught up with the actor and spoke about her journey as a film and television actor. 

Mothers and son relationships

While Eternally Confused and Eager for Love is a show about an affluent young city-bread Indian man trying to make sense of his life, Ray's (Vihaan Samat) connection with his mom Meena is one of its highlights. The mother and grown-up son's relationship is really sweet. Pillai says, "There may not be enough scenes to show it though." The actor believes, "It doesn’t matter whether they are boys or girls but it’s always nice when at least one parent has a connection with the child. So you know that they can come to you and speak to you about anything and everything. Ray feels comfortable enough to talk to his mother."

Picture Credit: Netflix

There is a particular scene where Ray asks his mother Meena to put on some make-up to cover up his scars. For a long time to say make-up and men in the same sentence has been called "un-manly". Pillai says, "Ray is not using make up for dressing up. He is using it to cover up the bruise. People make too much about these things 'alpha male' but it’s a changing world so I think we better wake up and smell the coffee."

It is our job as parents to turn around and explain to them the way they should go through life. Then it’s their call the way they take it it’s their journey.'

Talking about why parents need to step up and step back at the same time, Pillai added, "I think at this age it’s really important as a mum to instil all the right values in your kids. You do your bit then whether they take it is their call. With the younger generation now you can’t really force them to do things but if you instil in them the right values I think there are no two ways about it. Not just your son but teaching your daughter about respect is also important. For any mum, it is important whether they are teenagers or in their 20s. It is our job as parents to turn around and explain to them the way they should go through life. Then it’s their call the way they take it it’s their journey.'

No ghisa pita saas bahu or drama

Talking about her journey as an actor Pillai says she didn’t have an option of OTT back when she started. "But I’ve seen how it started and where it has reached now and to have been able to be part of it all it's quite an experience. And now what’s interesting for an actor is that you get so much more work."

She notes that earlier while actors were doing one serial, now you can do five at the same time. Now things start and they finish off quickly. 

On longer shelf life of women actors

Pillai believes that the shelf life of an actor "doesn’t depend on age anymore because there is so much interesting stuff being written for all age groups you don’t necessarily have to be a glamour doll or you don’t necessarily have to conform to the mother-in-law category or the bad aunt category."

Pillai further adds that because of OTT and the kind of stories that are being told right now it’s the best time to be an actor.

Suggested Reading: 22 Years Of Hip Hip Hurray, Was It A Show That Was Ahead Of Its Time?

I don’t feel 51

Talking about owning her age, Pillai said, "I’m 51 years old which is for any actor it’s a really positive sign because you know you are working all of the time." She further added, "I think it’s extremely important for women to own their age. You gotta be proud of where you’ve reached and how you’ve got there. One way to prove that to people is by telling them how old you are there’s nothing wrong with age. It is just a number I’ve to tell you I don’t feel 51 when you’re young and think ‘51 arey yar that’s really old’ but I don’t feel my age at all. I think it’s very important to own up to your age and to grow old gracefully. There are a lot of people who do all sorts of unnecessary things to kind beat that complex and kinda stay young and beautiful is just when you’re young and beautiful in there ( mind) so that’s my logic."