Talent tempered by tenacity sums up Tisca Chopra’s trajectory, which began in the ’90s. Stage, satellite, and screen, it’s been a creative progression. Theatre, films, OTT, and perhaps her most relatable role as Maya Awasthi, an anguished mother of a dyslexic child in Aamir Khan’s Taare Zameen Par in 2007, won hearts and hosannas hands down. Turning writer and filmmaker with Chutney, Chhuri, and Rubaru are further manifestations of the many-splendored artiste she is.
Her equations value her sense of identity. Respect, a ‘precursor’ to love, is the overriding factor in her marriage to pilot Sanjay Chopra. While with daughter Tara, it’s bonhomie with boundaries. A social advocate, unafraid to raise her voice against oppression, she resonates with empathy.
You were born in Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh, grew up in Kabul in Afghanistan, and are now part of cinema. What’s the common predicament of women across countries and cultures?
I was a child when I was in Kabul, so I wasn’t aware of what repression was. But now under the Taliban, we see girls unable to receive an education. It seems we have gone back a few centuries. The battle for women’s rights isn’t only an Asian phenomenon. You see Mr. Donald Trump (ex-President of the US and now Republican candidate) bullying Kamala Harris (Vice President of the US)! We have a long way to go.
Coming from a family of educationists, including your father SC Arora, a school principal in Afghanistan, what shaped your personality as a woman?
Mostly, it’s been the ability to think apart from the herd and look at things from different angles before making up my mind.
Were there any women characters in books/films/theatre/stage that impacted you?
I didn’t care about the gender of the characters; the story was what pulled me in. My favourite books include Heidi by Johanna Louise Spyri, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Gone with The Wind by Margaret Mitchell, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde, and The Collected Short Stories of Saki by HH Munro. I keep re-reading them.
In Mumbai, you trained with theatre stalwarts Satyadev Dubey, Feroz Abbas Khan, Naseeruddin Shah. What was their influence on you?
Each one has had a different impact on me as an artist. Dubeyji was brutal in his honesty, Feroz nurtured me deeply, and Naseer sir trained me (and other actors) like his own kid. I’m blessed to have had their inputs in my life.
What advice would you have for girls who’re at the receiving end of indecent proposals in showbiz or elsewhere?
It’s a call every human has to make – either go the long hard route and make it on your own or take shortcuts, which mostly don’t get you where you imagine being.
As an actor, which character comes closest to the woman you are?
None. I’ve been blessed to play some truly wonderful women. But none is close to me, yet each has something of me.
What helped you discover yourself as a writer and filmmaker after being an acclaimed actor?
Deep disappointment! I was to do a series where the director told me a few days before the shoot that he wanted someone younger. I decided to make a film about a woman who was neither young nor good-looking. The story was about the star. And Chutney (Tisca won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for the 2016 film) was born.
How difficult was it to carve your identity as a writer and filmmaker, compelling people to see your beautiful mind behind a beautiful face?
I’d love to say it was difficult, but it truly wasn’t. I’m not sure whether people believe ‘pretty’ isn’t ‘intelligent’. Most people will judge you based on your narration, writing, and directing skills. I’m certain my producer, crew, and actors weren’t thinking of my looks when I was directing. Or maybe I was too busy to notice them noticing.
Attractive on camera and effective behind it… How difficult is it to maintain your appearance as an actor along with the demands of writing/filmmaking?
Thank you. I’m not so sure of what’s behind it just yet. My directorial Saali Mohabbat (Tisca’s thriller stars Radhika Apte and Divyenndu Sharma and is co-produced by Jio Studios and Manish Malhotra) is yet to be watched. I’m a pajama and t-shirt writer on most days as I write from 10 am to 3 pm. After that, I attend shooting. If I’m on set as an actor, I write between shots. The waiting as an actor is quite exhausting.
A film is the language of the director. What’s special about Saali Mohabbat?
It’s best to let the audience decide. But, I believe that not taking the audience for granted would be a salient feature. I believe the audience is smarter than me, so I work hard to make a sharp story.
In the personal sphere, what keeps your marriage with Capt. Sanjay Chopra away from monotony?
The fact that Sanjay and I have zero hassles arguing over things – we battle it out. He’s a cool guy, quite involved with my work and me with his. We root for each other. We are friends. So monotony isn’t for us.
What’s non-negotiable in a relationship?
Respect! In fact, it’s a precursor to love. If you can’t respect my choices and my work, or if I can’t yours, I don’t believe we have a relationship.
Reportedly, you stated that as a mother you are ‘friendly’ with your daughter Tara but not her friend. How do you maintain boundaries?
Tara is a good kid and sorted in her head about things. She listens to logic. I also try not to butt into her matters too much. But some rules are golden – I value truth highly and she knows that. So we’re straight with each other. That’s a great space. But the teens are still to arrive, so fingers crossed.
As a woman who’s lived life on her terms, what’s something you’d like Tara to know?
I’d like Tara to know that she must be the love of her own life. Only when one truly loves and respects oneself, warts and flaws… can one truly love another.
You’re articulate against things that upset you. What annoys you the most?
People are not invested in their jobs. Lazy people. That sends me to a ‘judgy’ place.