Bollywood icon Sushmita Sen, who was the inaugural guest on Rhea Chakraborty’s recently launched YouTube podcast, took a reflective journey back into the past, recalling a moment from her teenage years that led to a serious reprimanding from her parents. At the tender age of 18, Sushmita found herself facing scrutiny not just from her family but from the societal norms of the time, all because she dared to use the word “sex” during an interview.
In the candid interview with Rhea, Sushmita elaborated on the context of the society she grew up in, comparing it to the more open-minded world of today. “The society was not as open as today,” she recounted. “It was like ‘haww’. Everything was ‘haww’ to the extent that my Maa and Baba had to sit me down and say, ‘There is a lot riding on your shoulders and curb a little bit of what you’re saying. Why use the word ‘sex’ in an interview at 18? Shobhaa De’s writing badly about you.’” She noted the specific mention of Shobhaa De, explaining that because De is a Bengali writer and Bengalis are often regarded as intellectuals, it was indeed the critical intellectual articles that caused more concern than the standard gossip columns.
The ‘Aarya’ star drew a stark contrast between her own youthful experiences and the open dialogue she shares with her daughters today. Highlighting a shift in generational perspectives, she explained, “The act of sex, I didn’t have to explain (to my daughters). They’re already PhDs (sic), all of them are. My younger one is into biology. So, she will get into terminologies, and I’m like, Okay, can we please keep it very generic? We don’t have to discuss the technicalities of it.”
She delved further into the significance of respect in relationships, a theme she stresses repeatedly to her daughters. “You figure that out, equate sex with respect in your life,” she advised.
. Emphasizing the importance of personal choice and self-respect, she added, “You can explore yourself and your desires, there’s no problem with that. But, in the end, it should not make you feel bad because that’s important. And, don’t do it out of peer pressure. You have to do it because you want that.”
While reflecting on her youth and the societal pressures she faced, Sushmita also shed light on her journey of tackling her critics and maintaining her own stance. She embraced the supervision from her parents as a learning moment, one that helped her to better navigate the intricate maze of public perception and celebrity scrutiny.
The Bollywood star’s open and nuanced conversation presents a contrasting yet blending view of evolving societal norms and parental approaches. This dialogue sheds light on how previous generations were more reserved and dictated by conventional societal rules, while contemporary times allow for broader, more inclusive discussions—particularly on topics once considered taboo. Both scenarios are telling of a socio-cultural evolution, one where transparency, education, and respect are becoming integral to personal and communal growth.
Simultaneously, the podcast also gave a brief insight into Sushmita’s professional journey. On the work front, her role in the critically acclaimed thriller drama ‘Aarya’ has reignited a fervent admiration from her legion of fans. In ‘Aarya’, Sushmita portrays a powerful woman determined to safeguard her family against the volatile world of crime, a performance that earned the show a nomination for ‘Best Drama’ series at the International Emmy Awards.
To summarise, the podcast became a platform for Sushmita to reflect on how societal norms have drastically changed since her youthful days. From being reprimanded for speaking openly about sex to encouraging her daughters to understand and respect it, the evolution of her experiences speaks volumes. Her candid conversation offers an authentic look into the interplay between past controversies and contemporary parenting, highlighting how societal and familial paradigms have transformed over the years.
