My childhood was definitely not financially comfortable. We are a family of seven brothers and one sister. I studied in a municipal school and a very clear memory is of having to wash out my one shirt and pant to have it ready for the next day. Then, when I was eight years old, my mother was lying on her death bed... we did not have enough money to buy her her medicines. I prayed to God to end her pain -- the last time I remember myself praying. Today, I don't believe in any religion, although I do believe in a divine power -- the entire creation is so mind-boggling that there's got to be Someone Up There.I did reasonably well in school. Even joined the underground movement during the Emergency! Then I joined Onlooker magazine, where they paid me Rs 750 initially. Within three years, I became the editor.
TV journalism was an accident. I met Subhash Goyal, owner of Zee TV whilst on a flight. He told me he was impressed by the way I conducted my interviews -- I was editor of The Daily by then -- and wantedme to do an interview-based programme. Instead, I offered him Aap ki Adalat, which was an idea I'd been toying with for some time. Fortunately, I could convince him, and the idea clicked with the viewers, too.
Despite everything, money is not that important to me. I want just enough to look after my needs and, since I don't have any expensive habits, that's not much! Although I must admit I am happiest spending money on my two daughters. As so often happens with parents who were not financially secure, I indulge them to the extent that you can say that I spoil them. I am also aware that that's not a good thing!
There is no compartmentalisation as far as money is concerned. It is spent according to need. Yes, I do pay for a few needy children's education.Do I like money? Well, I certainly like MY hard-earned money and don't want to waste it. But I am not mad after money.
How do I invest my money? You must be joking -- paisa hi kahan hain (where's the money)? Bank mein to tab daalenge jab paisahoga (I will put money into the bank only when there is money)! Yes, I have a small piece of land, woh chota sa real estate ke liye hi zindagi nikal jaati hain paying for it (a lifetime is spent paying for just that small piece of real estate). I have never bought shares because the stock market does not interest me. And I should be the last person to offer advice on financial matters -- this is definitely not my cup of tea!
Money means nothing to me. I have no such dreams that money can help me realise. I take life as it comes. Success and failure are all predetermined; I believe that success means more responsibility, which, in turn, should bring maturity. I don't let success go to my head because I don't ever want to forget my roots, where I came from...
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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