Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s film, Dear Maa, which releases in theatres today, is a celebration of motherhood. It explores various dimensions of motherhood, including the adoptive mother, the biological mother, and mother-like figures who nurture the home, as well as the father who embraces motherly instincts. The film delves into these through the complexities of relationships, aesthetically pleasing cinematography, a tinge of humour and soulful music. Recently, t2 caught up with Jaya Ahsan and her mother, Rehana Maswood, who has come to the city for the premiere, for an exclusive chat. The duo spoke about their mother-daughter bond and more:
Dear Maa releases today. How excited are you to see the film at its Calcutta premiere?
Rehana: I flew down to Calcutta to see it... and that proves my excitement! This is the first time she’s playing a role like this. I am eager to watch her performance.
Jaya, does your mother usually attend your premieres?
Jaya: She never attends my premieres! (Laughs) My mother is generous, except when it comes to praising my work! I actually like that; it keeps me grounded. While the world may praise me, I seek her approval first. I try to read her face. I’m curious if she’ll praise me a little more this time!
As a mother, how do you feel seeing Jaya on the big screen?
Rehana: I feel good, but it depends on the film. If she does well, I’m happy. If her co-stars treat her poorly, especially if it’s a hero, I get upset.
Jaya: (Laughs) Why? It’s acting!
Rehana: True, but it still makes me uneasy. I think, why is he doing this to my daughter?
Did you know this, Jaya?
Jaya: No, I just found this out! I’ve played many roles where I’ve been abused by a man or acted in the character of a defeated woman. Maa is probably referring to those.
Rehana: I feel like he’s making my daughter go through real pain. (Both laugh)
What’s your favourite among her characters?
Rehana:Guerrilla is the best because she won her first National Award for it. Bishorjon and Kadak Singh were good. I haven’t seen many of her films as they are released here.
Jaya, how important was your mother’s support when you decided to become an actress?
Jaya: Her support was crucial. I started young, and while Baba was initially concerned, Maa had faith in us. She emphasised on education but ultimately let us choose our paths. After I received my National Award for Guerrilla, my father finally accepted my decision, but he initially resisted it.
Rehana: I wanted my children to focus on extracurricular activities, so that they didn’t get a moment to feel distracted after school. They had music and art classes.
Jaya: Maa never pushed us too hard in anything, but she always reminds us to pursue what we choose till the very end. She taught us the value of connecting with others despite their background. That’s the reason why I love interacting with all kinds of people so much. And I feel cinema is a collaborative art, and no experience in life goes to waste for an actor.
Jaya is a celebrated actor known for her humility…
Rehana: She’s even more down-to-earth at home, which can sometimes be irritating. In our neighbourhood, no one would say that she has the attitude of an actress. She interacts with everyone, often without them realising at times who she is until later, when they come running to her for a selfie. She never refuses. Her ability to connect with people has been part of her since childhood.
Jaya: My upbringing played a big role in this. My mother taught us to never think of ourselves as someone special, which is a value I carry with me till today. Also, I spent some years in a home, unlike my siblings, because I did poorly in school. (Laughs) That experience taught me the importance of living in a community with different people. We were all treated equally there, be it the child of a V.I.P. or a beggar, which shaped me significantly. The only time I saw my mother cry was when she brought me back home from that place, but I was more upset about leaving my friends! (Laughs) It also taught me to live life away from my parents... and I was just in Class III or IV. It helps now when I have to go for shoots away from home.
What do you miss about each other when you’re away for shoots?
Jaya: I miss our morning tea ritual. My mother makes special milk tea, and we enjoy it together, sitting across the table. I also miss her cooking; she’s a talented chef, and I love her bhartas. She was a food entrepreneur. She has always been a strong, independent figure in our lives. Maa, do you really miss me when I am away?
Rehana: Of course, especially when I’m cooking. I sometimes save food in the fridge for her, since she often comes home without prior information. But her eating habits can be frustrating since she often takes forever to finish her meals.
Jaya, what inspires you the most about your mother?
Jaya: My sister and I have always fought over who resembles her the most! She was the epitome of beauty for us. I still feel I am not as beautiful as her. But I think, more than anything else, I inherited her patience, which I sometimes struggle to show her. (Laughs) Our mother has been our role model, and I’ve always admired her confidence and strength.
In this film, your character Brinda is an adoptive mother. How much of your mother inspired your preparation for this role?
Jaya: My mother has been a huge inspiration. She raised us almost single-handedly. She was independent and had an arrogance... in a good way... she doesn’t flaunt but makes it evident through her work. I have that same trait in me. I strive to give my best effort in everything I do, just as she did. Brinda also has that arrogance. To play Brinda, I drew on my mother’s essence and strength.
Jaya, you mentioned that playing Brinda was a personal journey that made you think about adoption. Did you discuss this with your mother?
Jaya: Yes, we did talk about it. I’ve thought about it a few times. But the ground reality in life is different. I have my adopted kids in orphanages, and I don’t want to glorify that or speak much on it. I also have my pets; I really feel a soul connection with all of them.
Do you worry about Jaya settling down with a partner?
Rehana: Every mother wants that. I can’t be there forever. She refuses to understand it but it’s up to her what she wants to do.
Jaya: Mere paas Maa hai! (Laughs) She never pressured me about this; others did.
Did you ever struggle to understand your mother, like Jhimli and you in the film?
Jaya: Yes, there was a time when I saw her as a villain in my life. She used to take me to college. My younger sister used to report everything to her! She even found my first love letter! My mother had to deal with two adolescents and those memories helped me portray my character in this film.
Was there a moment when you felt you had overcome something difficult because you had each other?
Jaya: Definitely. She has been my shelter during many tough times in life... her presence reminded me that life was worth living despite the tough times. No matter how difficult a situation is, she never calls me during work, but she always calls me or sends pictures when a flower blooms! These are little things that we connect over.
Rehana: Jaya is my elder daughter, and I discuss everything family-related with her first.
Can you share a secret about Jaya?
Rehana: She makes the room a mess before leaving for a shoot, and if I tidy up and throw something away, she gets upset! (both laugh)
What is that one thing you fight over most?
Jaya: Food! I tell her not to eat oily food.
Rehana: I have to keep reminding her to eat on time.
How do you reconcile after an argument?
Rehana: I just have to stop talking! (Laughs)
Jaya: When she stops talking, we all get concerned. I’ll lie next to her and touch her stretch marks, which remind me of her sacrifices for us as a mother. It is my favourite thing about her.