Interview: Tanuja

If there is such a thing as old money, then perhaps there is such a thing as old artistry. Who ever said only wealthy people can keep their riches within the family name for generation to generation? If you asked Tanuja about her acting career, she’d quickly tell you it was all in the family. After all, her father was a poet and filmmaker while her mother was quite the steady actress.

Oh, she also mothered two daughters – Kajol and Tanisha – who have made quite the name for themselves in Bollywood. If that was not enough creative talent staying within the family, Tanuja coincidentally has a niece whose name also carries a considerate amount of weight – Rani Mukherjee.

In fact, if you trek back to her parent’s career – Kumarsen and Shobhna Samarath were quite the big names in India during the 1930s and 1940s – and include the decades still ahead for the careers of Tanisha and Kajol to develop, this familial dynasty may edge upon a century of dominance before all is said and done.

So yes, for Tanuja, the wealth of creativity has managed to stay within the family. Yet, when Buzzine Bollywood asked her about the work of her daughters, she was quite humble in her response. Instead of boasting how much her two daughters have done for modern cinema in India, Tanuja merely expressed a maternal pride, saying she just hopes for them to follow their hearts in their quest to find happiness.

“I am very proud of (them) and (they) are doing quite well,” Tanuja told Buzzine about her daughters, just outside the House of Blues where she served as chief guest at the recent Miss Showbiz India USA beauty pageant. “And (they) will continue to do well, I am sure. But that’s a personal choice.”

It is that personal choice Tanuja prides herself on. While she has been a vital cog in one of the most powerful familial lineages in Bollywood, the Bengali actress made a name for herself because of what she chose to do, not because of what her family name said she should be doing.

“I do what I want to. I choose.” Tanuja told Buzzine with strength and conviction, as the hot August sun began to fade and a strong shade from the surrounding façades began to cascade over us in West Hollywood.

Tanuja chose quite well, as she starred in a series of Indian blockbusters since she was a child. Referred to as “Baby Tanuja” in her 1950 big screen debut alongside her older sister, Nutan, in Hamari Beti, the Bengali actress quickly grew up in front of the camera. In fact, it was not long before she made a name for herself in the 1967 hit, Jewel Thief, for which she earned a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

An extensive filmography that included other hits such as Haathi Mere Saathi, Do Chor, Ek Baar Muskara Do, Bhoot Bhangla, Dushman, Saathiya and Deewaar, Tanuja is actually quite picky about the films she chooses to act in. Specifically, she is looking for something she can personally relate to.

“I am looking for something I will really enjoy doing that will give me satisfaction and has a subject where I can put my own philosophy into a creative form,” she said. “If I find it is something I would like to do and I think I can make a contribution, I will do it.”

Still, even at age 65, Tanuja is not yet ready to call it quits on her acting career.

“Well, (my career) is still going on. When I die, it will stop,” she humbly said. “Whatever I have done, I have enjoyed doing. I don’t really compare my performances to see which one was better than the other one. I think every act was better than the last one.”

Just as she sees each of her acts getting better with time, Tanuja was quick to point out that the same could be said of Bollywood as a film industry.

“Youngsters today are amazing,” she said when asked of how she sees the Indian film industry today, with nearly 60 years of industry experience under her belt. “It’s technically highly developed. We have a lot of youngsters who are coming up with good subjects and scripts, so I am hopeful.”

Through it all, Tanuja reveals the secret of it all is not necessarily being born to the right family. After all, while it helps, the right set of parents does not guarantee artistic success among the offspring. Instead, Tanuja says belief in oneself transcends all, and one should never underestimate the power of personal pride, will, and confidence.

“You just have to be comfortable in your own skin, have the self-confidence to be out there, and say, ‘Here I am.’”

Clearly, Tanuja has done her part in proclaiming her presence as one of India’s greatest actresses. With her daughters, Kajol and Tanisha, doing their part to carry the torch, perhaps the 65-year-old actress should reconsider rephrasing her last statement as, “Here we are.”