For him life is all cinema, cinema, cinema: Kiran on husband Ramesh Sippy

He created cinematic history with his film, Sholay, creating characters who became bywords in their time and have endured over decades. His films have nuances that help them linger in the viewer’s mind long after the story lines have been forgotten. In television too, he created history, by directing India’s first watchable serial, Buniyaad and was recently awarded the Padmashri as well as the Teacher’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution in Cinema. Kiran Sippy reveals the lesser known side of a very private Ramesh Sippy. Firstpost: 1986 to the present, it has been a long journey together. How did it begin? Kiran Sippy: It started as a role in a television serial. I was modelling those days, and I had just landed in Bombay from a Delhi show. My agent met me at the airport and said you have to go right now to meet Ramesh Sippy…so I rushed from the airport. I remember I was inappropriately dressed to audition, in a transparent white blouse…it was seven in the evening by the time I reached the studio. Firstpost: So this is where you met Ramesh Sippy for the first time? Kiran Sippy: Yes, he was on the set, directing Anita Kanwar in a scene from Buniyaad. He was explaining a shot to her. It was my first exposure to a television shooting, so I listened intently. Firstpost: What was your first impression of the man? Kiran Sippy: I thought him very intense, completely absorbed in what he was doing. I waited patiently, not knowing how long it would take. I had been told it could take forever. But he took time out to meet me. He explained the role to me, asked me if I could take time out from my modelling career, lots of time. He explained it was a young to old role, asked me if i would be okay with doing such a role. I don’t know if directors go to such lengths usually, but he did. Firstpost: What was your reaction? Kiran Sippy: I told myself, wow, what an opportunity to show my talent. I did not know then that it was not the wisest thing to portray an old woman in my very first role….so I said, yes yes…and he said, good, you are on. Bas, that was it. [caption id=“attachment_733269” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Kiran and Ramesh Sippy in this file photo. AFP[/caption] Firstpost: Then… Kiran Sippy: I think it was a Saturday, I was to start shooting on Monday. He sent a dress designer to me for fittings and measurements, and I was set to go. I started shooting on Monday, phat phat, the shoot went on and I was impressed by his decision making, his firm understanding of exactly what he wanted. It was all so well organised, I was never confused or uncomfortable. Firstpost: So you were impressed. Was that the beginning of a closeness? Kiran Sippy: Actually, I did not know then how big he was, he was just a director who was making a television serial. I said what’s the big deal…he is spending so much money, but money does not ensure a great film or serial… But I did notice his voice, he has a wonderful voice quality, and it struck me even then. I often tell him he must use his voice…His accent is very clear, and his voice is so well modulated, he should use it for voice overs. I also remember thinking, he was polished, very unlike a Sindhi…oops sorry. Firstpost: Your role in Buniyaad was as Veerawali. Kiran Sippy: Yes, opposite Vijendra Ghatge. It made me famous, and I credit it to him. He worked on my acting as he did with many of the others, and he knew I would deliver. I think he was the right person to pull whatever talent I had, out of me. Firstpost: Had you not seen his films? Kiran Sippy: I had, some of them. We were a non film family, scrutiny was very strict, we were allowed to watch films only once in three months . I remembered Sholay though, not the film, but the fact that while I lay on my bed on afternoons in the vacation, I would be unable to sleep because the loud speaker would be blaring out dialogues from the film… Kitne aadmi the… Firstpost: So tell us about how the relationship developed… Kiran Sippy: I think it happened as I watched how he lived up to the respect he received. Never cross, or crass, never raised his voice, the way he was totally concentrated on his work, grounded, so down to earth… It drew him to me. When you work with a person everyday for hours and hours, you see the real person, you see the behaviour, attitude, temperament over a long period of time, there is nothing hidden or false… Not like a courtship or a work relationship where you see only what is shown. I was watching him with so many kinds of people, actors, spot boys, assistants…he was consistent. I admired him, was drawn to him. Firstpost: And was he equally drawn to you? Why? Kiran Sippy: He might have noticed qualities in me, I don’t know… Firstpost: He was a married man, with children, a home… Kiran Sippy: There were problems in his marriage, he was separated already. If it had not been me, it would have been someone else…I have no guilt. At that time though, I did not talk about any of this to the press, I believe if you love a man you must respect his relationship with those he loves, and not hurt them. Firstpost: Was it a whirlwind courtship then? Kiran Sippy: He proposed in six months. Then nothing happened. He did not want to marry right then, had his reasons, and I understood that. I had my place, he had his home , but we were together . This went on for 4 and a half years. People told me you are mad, it is a glamorous line, people get tired of each other, you will have nothing to show for this…my attitude is, if it belongs to you, it will stay, you cannot hold anything back. So we went on and on, status quo. Firstpost: But marriage happened… Kiran Sippy: I had to tell him…my parents were getting agitated, people were asking them questions, and I did not want them to suffer on my account. So he respected that, went across and met them, and we had a proper wedding. Firstpost: Did marriage spring any surprises? Kiran Sippy: Not really. So many years, and such closeness at work, there was nothing hidden from me. I had already seen the best and the worst of him. Firstpost: The worst…? Kiran Sippy: In a way his best qualities become his worst, he is over relaxed, he does not move things or make them move. He is so laid back… at times he is too calm, and that works against him. Often in some situations it infuriates me, I see him losing out because of his attitude. Firstpost: What is he like at home? Kiran Sippy: Very cool. He will eat anything, tinda, karela, doodhi…though he loves prawns and fish…he is undemanding, no complaints. We share a lot of likes such as plays, food, travelling. He was very much a loner, now we are more social, and he has a wide circle of friends. He enjoys stimulating discussions with them, and they are not all film people, many are from other professions. Firstpost: You did not want children? Kiran Sippy: Of course we did, it did not happen. I am happy in a way, I am so committed a person, I would have had to sacrifice my time with him for them, and I am glad I did not have to choose. Now I travel everywhere with him, I do not take up serial offers because it will curb my being with him. Firstpost: He never wrote a role for you again? Kiran Sippy: No, though I have acted in both the films he made, Zamana Deewana and Akela, the last one he has made. Actually, when we married he said, don’ t act anymore. I asked him why, ‘You met me as an actor, you liked my work.I enjoy acting, and it makes me happy. If I am happy, it will make you happy too…’ . He took the point and never stood in my way. It is I who have curbed my career. But I am active in working with him, go to office regularly. Firstpost: Would you change anything about him? Kiran Sippy: For him life is all cinema, cinema, cinema. Which is fine by me, though a few other interests may not be bad. I would love to have a real fight on something that irritates me. I get angry on small things sometimes, ‘you did not tell me,’ I say, or ’this does not suit me, you did not consult me in the decision… ’ All he responds with is, ‘You are right…’ It is frustrating. But I have learnt not to pick a fight with him. Firstpost: One last Question… Other relationships… Kiran Sippy: As far as his family is concerned, I am friendly with everyone, but of course we are not bum chums, I keep a distance, as familiarity can breed contempt. I meet his wife for lunch, we chat, I am fine with his kids when we meet, no strain. He is a busy man still, he is Head of the Guild, is with FICCI, he is on the board of many companies, and with IFFA, and he keeps going to Delhi to talk to Ministers on behalf if the film industry. I don’t think he has the time for any outside relationships; neither of us is looking for one, anyway. We are content with each other. As for the women in the industry, they know that throwing themselves at Ramesh Sippy is no way to get a role, it is the quickest way to lose one… So you see, we are together. And happily so.