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at 06:04:30 am on February 1, 2008
She was always known as the force behind actorpolitician Shatrughan Sinha. She still is. But along with taking care of her family, Punam Sinha now has a second portfolio — acting. “Balancing home and work is no less than handling two portfolios,” she laughs.
Political lingo, but naturally. After all, she has seen her husband give politics his all and rise to the level of a cabinet minister handling important portfolios. Punam, who was crowned Miss India many years ago, acted in films along with Jeetendra, Joy Mukherjee and Shatrughan himself. She was known as Komal at the time. But she didn’t really pursue her acting career. “Basically I wasn’t cut out for this line. I’d led a protected life and belonged to a conservative family. Acting happened by chance when I was offered a role by B R Chopra after he saw me in one of the beauty contests.” But now, 30 years later, Punam has decided to return to the big screen. It took no less than a director like Ashutosh Gowariker and a magnum opus like Jodhaa Akbar to convince her. “I did get many offers over the years, but there was nothing that really appealed to me. Even when Ashutosh came over to meet me, I first thought it was for my sons or my husband. He said he’d come prepared to hear a ‘no’ from me, but would be very happy if I said a ‘yes’,” says the elegant lady.
And what was the reaction at home? “I had to ask my husband about it. He was very nice, very supportive. He asked me ‘What do you want to do?’ And when I told him I’d like to do it, he said go ahead. My kids are very happy with my decision,” says Punam, who’s now open to interesting roles in Bollywood. Facing the camera after three decades is no child’s play, but she went well prepared. “I kept telling myself — remember there’s no one around, it’s just you and the camera. Of course, everyone made me feel so comfortable. As your scenes get okayed, your confidence grows,” says Punam.
Her sons Luv and Kush have got into acting, as well. In fact, Luv is currently doing a Raj Kanwar film. Daughter Sonakshi, too, is now the centre of attraction wherever she goes. So has she expressed a desire to get into films? “She hasn’t told me anything. But there are a lot of people who want her to get into films. They keep telling me she should become a heroine,” reveals Punam, who recently ventured into production. “I learnt a lot from the film I produced,” she says.
Talking about hubby dearest, Punam recalls their interesting love story. They met in a train compartment and eventually fell in love. So who’s the boss in the house? “HE! Contrary to what people think, he’s the big boss,” she smiles.
Shotgun is known for his humour, especially his popular marriage jokes, one of which is ‘You can’t be happily married. You are either happy or married!’ Punam, too, is at her wittiest best when she says, “I’m happy. Let him be married!”
