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Punam Mohandas
Mahesh Bhatt was the first to notice my voice, and gave me my first break in his film Aashiyaana. However, my first remuneration was for a song sung for All India Radio Jaipur, many, many years ago, which was all of Rs 5! I could spend it on the riksha only.I got awards for Choli ke peeche, but I know I also got a lot of flak. See, I did not feel any of these songs were crude while singing them. A lot depends on the picturisation, too. Anyway, my husband is very supportive, thank God. Although he is in the Merchant Navy, he has done professional courses in videography, and handles all my shows abroad.
Sometimes I feel I am being used to add crudeness in the name of folkfare, but what can I do? Actually, I want to reach a certain position in the industry before I start making demands. Money is also important, you know.So far I have only been spending Arun's money. Theatre is not all that paying, as everyone knows. I have bought so much, done so much for people who don't even acknowledge it. Had I saved allthat, I would have been a lakhpati today! Arun never stops me from spending, although sometimes I wish he did.
I am quite poor at investments and need advice from others. I am not really money savvy, but neither am I totally dependent on my husband.If money is not utilised properly, it can be dangerous, but, in my opinion, poverty is the root cause of many evils.
I love spending on clothes. And now that I am here in Hyderabad on the China Gate schedule, I want to really pick up antique jewellery. You know, with all the kundan work and typical designs.
Even so, I am neither a spendthrift nor a miser. My advice is to always respect money and time. Even my daughter, Ishita, is given pocket money only for practical needs.
Do I like money? Who does not? If someone were to give me a million dollars, I'd be like a nomad. First, see every nook and corner of India and then travel all over the world. I love travelling. My favourite country is Japan. It's so beautiful, but yes, very expensive. I would love totravel to Greece now, and I am seriously planning on it.
Yes, life has changed financially since childhood. Money has given me confidence and freedom. Although I am so successful, sometimes even my own mother doesn't understand and asks why I keep pushing myself. But you need money to survive, to feel secure.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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This story was printed from Net Express located at http://www.expressindia.com. Net Express provides a portal to India, with news from The Indian Express and The Financial Express along with sites on travel and tourism, the entertainment industry, the power sector, the environment and much more.
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