Asha Parekh on living life on her own terms

It takes immense strength to write about the unpleasant times as well as the good ones and Asha Parekh, who recently launched her biography didn’t hold back. She talks to us about some of her life experiences...

You’ve written about suicidal thoughts?

This happened after I lost both my parents. I had no one to turn to, no one to call my own. I felt completely alone. But I survived. I made friends, learnt to step out of my house and make contact with people.

You’ve also dwelled on your decision to adopt a child?

Yes, the formalities were done. It was discovered that he suffered from some rare disease and in the end, I couldn’t have him. It broke my heart. I decided I would never try to adopt a baby again. Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I had brought that baby home. Or for that matter, if I had got married.

So many of your colleagues are writing autobiographies, of late? Comment.

Yes, but if you see they are all men from the industry. In this season of male memoirs, I am the only woman. That feels good. (Laughs)