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Pahwa-couple! Manoj and Seema happy that Bollywood accepted them with open hands

Manoj Pahwa and Seema Pahwa get candid about the appreciation they are receiving for their work

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Manoj Pahwa and Seema Pahwa
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She was a delight to watch as the mother who is obsessed with her daughter’s wedding in 2017’s Bareilly Ki Barfi as well as Shubh Mangal Saavdhan. He was talked about for the poignant portrayal of a Muslim man accused of terrorism, in last year’s Mulk and as a police officer with a dark side in Article 15. But ask Seema Pahwa and Manoj Pahwa if they were pleasantly surprised by the appreciation from the industry and they reply, almost in unison, that they would have, had they not been prepared for it. “Iski taiyyari toh bohot saalon se ho rahi thi,” says Seema with a smile.

The couple met each other in Delhi, where they were part of the same theatre group. While Seema became a household name with her role as Badki in 1985’s popular soap Hum Log, her husband was noted for playing Bhatia in 2001’s comedy show Office Office. Post marriage and two kids, the couple moved to Mumbai in 1994 to continue their work in television, films and theatre. Like Seema says, more than three decades of work has brought them to this juncture.

CONTENT IS KING

The couple attributes their recognition to the kind of films being made now. “Content has become hero now, and when the story takes precedence, then the characters become important,” believes Manoj. The result then is the casting of good actors for those roles. “Ab vaisa daur chal raha hai. In content-driven films, characters ubhar ke aate hain. That’s why films like Bareilly Ki Barfi, Shubh Mangal Saavdhan, Mulk and Article 15 are appreciated,” he states.

While it may not have been a big deal for the Pahwas, Seema is glad that her son Mayank and daughter Manukriti — both National School of Drama grads — saw the appreciation coming their parents’ way. “For years, they had been seeing us work, but nothing much was happening. We’re happy, industry ne ma-baap ki izzat rakh li!” she laughs.

ROLE REVERSAL

Manoj’s last two films saw him in serious and intense roles, while Seema’s recent movies have explored her lighter side. Ironically, such roles were exactly what they were not known for. Seema’s image as the serious Badki was so impactful that once a director turned away from her while narrating a comedy script to her husband! “But we are theatre actors and we have done so many different kinds of roles on stage. It’s just that we got typecast in films that were being made earlier,” reasons Manoj, who has usually been the one making the audience laugh.

The role reversal of sorts has been a pleasant change for them. Of late, directors are approaching them with different kinds of roles. “Now, I am being offered characters that were actually meant for him!” exclaims Seema, citing films like Ferrari Ki Sawaari and Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, where the roles were originally written as male characters and offered to Manoj. “As long as the money is coming to our house, it’s fine!” Manoj laughs.


Seema Pahwa and Manoj Pahwa

SUPPORT FOR EACH OTHER

Over the years, the couple has been each other’s support through thick and thin. What about criticism? “Oh, yes, we don’t share the kind of relationship where you only have to say good things about each other. We discuss each other’s work and if need be, criticise it as well,” shares Seema. “There are some films of mine that neither my wife nor my children are interested in. That’s criticism without even saying a word! There are some that even I don’t tell them about. Bolke gaali thodi khaani hai!” Manoj guffaws.  

With both their children into the performing arts too, there are often some healthy discussions over dinner. “They learn from our experience and we also get updated about what appeals to the youth of today. That check is good for us and our experience is valuable for them. God has blessed us with this combination of young artistes and senior actors,” says the doting mother.

The actress is now ready with her directorial debut, Pind Daan, which she has written as well. The cast reads like a who’s who of talent, including Naseeruddin Shah, Konkona Sen Sharma, Vinay Pathak, Supriya Pathak and Vikrant Massey among others. Is Manoj in it as well? “Of course, inko kaise jaane deti!” Seema grins, as Manoj cuts in jokingly, “Maine toh bhaagne ki poori koshish ki thi!

HONING THEIR CRAFT

Over the years, the couple has also kept its relationship with theatre alive and can often be seen in plays by Naseeruddin Shah’s Motley theatre group. For Manoj, theatre is like a paathshaala, which keeps them refreshed and raring to go, while for Seema, it’s the instant response she gets from the audience which makes being on stage so special for her. Working with a stalwart like Naseer, too, has been a blessing for them. “Where else would we find someone who still corrects us, who can tell us even today that we’re not doing it right? There is still so much to learn and it’s a wonderful process that keeps you on your toes as an actor,” Manoj adds.

While Seema and Manoj are acting in a couple of plays in the ongoing Motleyana Festival at Prithvi Theatre, next Sunday is a Pahwa Special as all four of them are involved in story-readings. Seema will read a story by Ismat Chughtai, Manoj, one by Saadat Hasan Manto and their daughter Manukriti is reading a story written by their son Mayank. “When the brochure came out, I sent my son a picture of the same (Mayank is learning filmmaking in London) and told him he should feel proud of himself. After all, Naseer saab liked the story so much that he’s put it in the same bracket as Ismat and Manto,” says the beaming father. 

The Pahwas certainly seem to be enjoying their share of success. And rightly so!

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