My mother is a lioness: Sooraj Pancholi

Sooraj Pancholi is just one film old but the young actor has already been through a roller-coaster ride in life. From being jailed to being accused for his girlfriend's death, Sooraj has battled against all odds even before his debut film hit screens. At a time when the entire world had a different perception of the youngster, it was his family, especially his mom Zarina Wahab standing beside him like a pillar of strength. Today, Sooraj has been able to change a lot of people's outlook towards him. Here he talks about his biggest support - his mom and why he feels that a bond between a mother and son is the best ever.

You have stayed without your parents for over 10 years now. Does it become difficult sometimes?

No, it doesn't get difficult because my mom is anyway working the whole day. She's not at home herself. The only time we spend together is maybe on a Saturday or a Sunday. But whenever she's home, she still cooks for me. Every day the food that I eat in the afternoon is made by mom in the morning. So, I am connected with her in that way because I feel that I meet her everyday when I eat her hand-made food. We meet every weekend so it isn't any different. If my mom wasn't working, it would have been different but then, she has more work than me.

Your mom has always been your strongest support...

I am a person who never talks about my problems with anyone. I don't discuss them with my dad because he gets hyper. So I choose not to. In my family, my mom is the strongest and the things I can share with my mom I can't talk about them with my sister or my dad. I would not say that she is my best friend because she isn't. But I get the maximum comfort from her.

So you are a momma's boy!

Not a momma's boy. See, I have been living alone since I was with my grandparents from the time I was really young. So I can't be called that. The bond that a mother and son have is stronger than any other bond in the world.

Why did you decide to stay alone?

I have lived with my grandparents since I was a kid and I never wanted to leave because I had almost 14 dogs at one point. I had friends in Juhu. My school was around Andheri. They stayed in Bandra. So it was easier for me and I liked living with my grandparents.

Did it take time for your mom to get used to it?

We almost met everyday. Even now, we meet everyday when she is not working.

Your mother comes across as somebody shy and vulnerable...

(Cuts in) My mom is a lioness. From bringing us up to getting work done, she has everything sorted for the family. If it wasn't for my mother, I don't think our family could have stuck by each other. She kept us all together and after all, the only aim in life is to have the family together, right?

How do you usually celebrate Mothers' Day?

We usually go for lunch or dinners. That's all she likes doing because she does not like partying or drinking. Good food and good time spent satisfies the both of us. But we never do anything special because every day is the same. Mothers' Day doesn't make a difference in our relationship.

Any memories of making cards for her or gifting her something?

Yes, as a kid, I used to take money from my mom and I used to buy her a gift with the same money. (Smiles) I don't remember what I used to buy for her.

What's the best thing you have given her as a gift?

Actually, come to think of it now, I haven't given her anything. But I will. She has made it completely on her own. She has everything. So I don't think I am capable of giving her anything that she doesn't have right now. I hope I keep working and become so big that I give her something she's always dreamt of having.

What's it?

I want to buy her a house in Hyderabad. She loves the city and keeps going there every month. She has a one bedroom apartment which she doesn't want to change. One day, when I will be capable to give her a house, I will get her a nice house in Hyderabad.

When was the first time you lied to her?

In school. Actually, I used to bunk my tuitions and never tell her. I used to go, play football and then fail my exams. (Laughs). When she found out, she was really angry because I kept failing in school and she kept wondering why, where she was going wrong. So I felt guilty at that point.

What was her first reaction when you told your mom you want to become an actor?

I started working as an assistant director. They have never really asked me about what I want to do. I have chosen my career without any pressure from them. They let me do what I want. When I told her that I bagged my film, my mom was really happy. But none of them gave me acting tips. They wanted me to do it differently. Plus, we don't discuss work at home. Our house is not a filmy house at all. There are no posters, awards here and there.

Do you ever argue with your mom?

Never in my life. Daughters argue with mothers. My sister and mom have a lot of fights. I and my dad can at least have a debate. I can't do that with my mother.

Do you discuss all your problems with her?

Only if there's a big problem that I want to get out of my system, I talk to her. I don't like telling her all my problems because I know she will get stressed out. So I keep everything inside me. But if there's something that bothers me a lot and it becomes very tough for me to cry, then that's when I call her and once she says hello, my tears start rolling down my eyes.

When was the last time you made such a call?

Not in a long time.

What's the food she makes which you love?

Biryani on Eid. She's from Hyderabad so she makes the Hyderabadi biryani. She makes really nice chicken, prawn and mutton as well.

When was the first time you confessed about a crush to her?

When I was really young and I was in Goa, I had a bike accident and she came to see me in the hospital. I was lying down on one side of the bed. Then I told her, "My friend is on the other chair." She asked me who it was. I said 'she is my friend' and then when my mom asked her about it, she told her ' he is my boyfriend'. That's how she found out (Laughs). I feel shy to tell my parents about my relationships. I discuss them with my sister.

Who's your mom closer to - you or your sister?

My mom is closer to me and my dad is closer to my sister.

There's so much that has happened with respect to your dad and his controversies. How much did your mother shield you and your sister from that?

Like I said, my mom is a lioness. She is the karta dharta of the family. She takes care of everything. Right from the smallest things like the oil and rice to the biggest problems in the house. She heals everyone. I think a mother is positivity in the house. That's what she wants to spread. The happiness that she gets by bringing all of us together is something else.

Has she ever broken down in front of you?

She never usually cries. She never breaks down. But she has tears when something good happens. The last time, I saw her crying was at the Stardust Awards when I got my first award.

Do you see yourself in a film with her playing your mother?

It would be great if something like that comes my way. There were some stories about me and my mom doing a film together but that's not true. I would love my mother to play my mother on screen. My dad played my father in Hero already. No one has approached my mother for that.