News Post India

Bollywood Goes Moist-eyed On Mother's Day

Sunday 11th of May 2008
From old hats like Shabana Azmi, Hema Malini and Mahesh Bhatt to young actors like Sonam Kapoor, Celina Jaitley and Abhishek Bachchan - on Mother's Day they all talk about the contribution of their mothers in their lives and give them credit for their success.

Here is what the actors have to say on the special occasion:

Sonam Kapoor: My mother is my best friend. What she has taught me is to value the people who love me. I never take anyone for granted. When I was working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and struggling to live up to his penchant for perfectionism, she would step in to guide me. During that crucial time my mother taught me to be patient and strong and to follow my heart. My mother is an exceptional householder. She doesn't have just three children, but four, my father being the fourth. He has to talk to her like 20 times a day. If I can run my household after marriage with half my mom's efficiency I'd consider myself a successful woman.

Raima Sen: The biggest thing I've learnt from my mother is patience and to respect other people's space. Also, to be strong-willed! She has also taught my sister and I not to make the mistakes she made in her career. She has brought up both of us as independent women capable of taking our own decisions.

Shabana Azmi: Where do I begin? My mom has taught me compassion, generosity of spirit, and not to make an issue out of everything in life. I've inherited my taste in clothes from her. Above all, she has taught me acting and how to approach a role.

Abhishek Bachchan: My mom has taught me to try and be a good human being.

Urmila Matondkar: Mom has taught me not to be judgemental and to love and accept people as they are. From her, I've learnt that if you're patient the best is bound to happen for you.

Shilpa Shetty: What have I learnt from mom? Everything! Most of all I've learnt the importance of dignity in my conduct. She also taught me never to let anyone trample on my self-respect.

Lara Dutta: My mother has taught me to be brave and resilient in the face of adversity. She has taught me to sacrifice love and the familial comfort-zone for the greater good of the country and to constantly stretch myself beyond the call of duty. Most important of all, I've learnt the virtues of large-heartedness from her, to help every stray puppy, kitten, squirrel, child or old person whenever and however I can.

Hema Malini: My mother's motto in life was simple - work hard and reach the goal. She made sure I follow that goal and reach where she dreamt I would. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a mother like mine. I've been lucky to be her daughter. Even if I am half as good as my mother to my daughters, I'm happy.

Arshad Warsi: Nothing much. Just that knowing to cook is very important in life. You never know.

Manoj Bajpai: My mother taught me determination and a never-say-die attitude. If today, all of us in our family respect women, it's because of my mother whom we grew up looking to.

Dino Morea: I learnt to be grounded and disciplined. Actually, I have learnt everything from her. She's a fantastic mother. When I've kids I'll bring them up the way she brought up my two brothers and I.

Ayesha Takiya: Everything, especially to value dignity and to have the courage to be myself. I am who I am because of my mother.

Raveena Tandon: My mom has taught me to keep family together and run our house through highs and lows. Today, when I run after my two children, I wonder how my mom managed to bring my brother and me up.

Jiah Khan: Everything I know, I know it from mom. Most importantly she taught me my prayers and my spirituality that have kept me strong through trying times.

Anupam Kher: Patience, gratitude and compassion.

Minissha Lamba: I've learnt about the emotional responsibility that one has towards oneself to be a complete person. Only then can we reflect a positivity on to the world and not be judgemental about people and situations.

Mahesh Bhatt: I made a film 'Zakhm' about my mother. She taught me to live life on my own terms and face the consequences.

Rahul Khanna: My mother has taught me to express gratitude even for the smallest of acts of kindness. To respect others' time and money and never keep outstanding accounts no matter how small the amount. And since she is the most meticulous person, I know some of that quality has rubbed off on me.

Zeenat Aman: My mother taught me to be selfless and dedicated to my children because that's the way she was with me. She taught me to be true to my word. To have a sense of integrity, discipline and responsibility, to believe in myself and be the best in all my undertakings in life. To be fair to others and not do anything expecting to get back anything in return.