Writing cathartic but not easy process: Soha
My advice to students would be that to never stop being a student. Life gets narrower as we start making decisions. As students you should be mindful about your choices.”
Soha Ali Khan, Bollywood actor
sharjah — What does it take to be a bestselling memoir author? Soha Ali Khan, a leading Bollywood actor, sheds light on this key point, besides, discipline, deadlines, and self-motivation.
Her book titled, The Perils of Being Moderately Famous, narrates the tale of being average in a family of overachievers. The main driving factor that led to her astonishing success in life comes from self-acceptance and her ability to ‘being moderate’.
While discussing her book on the fourth day at the ongoing 37th Sharjah International Book Fair, she confided that writing wasn’t an easy process as she had to be mindful of what she should share and what she shouldn’t. Because the story wasn’t merely about her but about her family.
According to her, being the daughter of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore, and as Saif Ali Khan’s sister, and recently, being Kareena Kapoor’s sisterin-law, she got an insight into being moderate.
She also spoke about how writing is a cathartic process that allows her to laugh at herself and deepen her self-acceptance. She discussed about the conflict that arises for her child as well as her brother’s son from being placed in the limelight at such a young age. “It was our choice as adults to get into the film industry, but the kids haven’t made that decision yet,” said Soha.
Never stop being a student
On the morning of the fifth day at the Sharjah International Book Fair, she met school students who were not only excited to see the impressive lady but were seen prepping questions before her arrival in the hall.
Soha disclosed that she loved being a student and was considered a ‘nerd.’ She would write letters to her mum, who was busy shooting, during the period that schools were shut down due to strikes, saying that she missed school and wanted to go back to study. Her favourite subject was history.
“My advice to students would be that to never stop being a student. Life gets narrower as we start mak- ing decisions. In school, you have the freedom to decide what you want to learn and explore. The world is open for you ,” added Soha Ali Khan.
“My dad taught me valuable lessons through his life. He wasn’t the type to yell or expound his values
onto me, instead he would live his life in the manner that he would want me to live. As students you should take the responsibility to ensure that you are honest to yourself and constantly work to improve yourself,” advised Soha Ali Khan.