AS MASABA GREW UP, DID YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC ASPIRATIONS FOR HER?

She wanted to become an actor at one point because I was one and my friends were all from the same circle. This is a very glamorous profession and every kid wants to pursue it. I really didn’t want her to get into this profession, but she wanted to try, so I let her try and find out for herself whether she would succeed. But then she realised, and I explained very nicely, ‘With your face, what kind of roles will you get? You can go abroad, but even there, you will get limited roles, plus you have not taken any acting classes. This profession is a very difficult one because even if one is a good actor, if the movie doesn’t work you will not get work’. Then she understood and eventually didn’t opt for it.

WAS THERE ANY TRAIT THAT YOU SAW IN HER, THAT MADE YOU FEEL SHE WOULD DO WELL AS A DESIGNER?

She is a good dancer and she sings very well. I actually wanted her to become a singer. I wanted her to sing and dance, but that didn’t happen. I am, however, happy with what she is doing and am proud of her accomplishments.

NOW THAT MASABA IS DOING WELL AND IS SETTLED, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS? DO YOU FEEL THAT SHE UNDERSTANDS WHAT YOU WANT?

Earlier, I used to help her with her business, but now her husband looks after that and she doesn’t need me that much. So, I am free to do something different. Recently, I said yes to a daily show with a double role. I felt that it would be too much and that I wouldn’t be able to give her time. However, she told me to do it. She was the one who pushed me to take it up.