Renuka-Ashutosh Rana

She entered the acting profession because of a broken marriage. A reluctant starter, she decided to pursue acting after doing Circus with Shah Rukh Khan. While Khan went on to become a big star on the silver screen, the ever-smiling Renuka Shahane became television’s super star. Imtihaan gave a head-start to her career and her subsequent serials - Sailaab, 9 Malabar Hill, Junoon, Ghutan, Kora Kagaz and Tejaswini - helped her showcase her talent and gain widespread appreciation. Surabhi, the popular cultural magazine which she anchored for 10 years got her a massive fan following. A year ago, she started cutting down on her acting assignments because she wanted to direct a serial. But now she has shut her door for acting offers. And this time it’s for a different reason. It’s because of marriage to actor Ashutosh Rana after a courtship of two and half years. She is planning to take a break from acting to raise a family and would not mind even retiring from acting if the need arises. We spoke to the actress, who has an added glow to her sparkling smile, about life after marriage, husband and her current serials

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Dancing Dreams

After ducking marriage during the two and half years of your courtship, how did both of you settle down finally?
Actually, it all happened because of our respective families and Ranaji’s Guruji. They wanted to know our feelings for each other and whether we were keen on converting our relationship into marriage. We also discussed it between ourselves and both of us found that we are so much in love with each other that we could see the marriage through in a nice way. Then Ranaji went to Bandakpur (in Madhya Prad-esh) and told Guruji that we wanted to get married. Guruji was very happy and gave his blessings. We wanted to get married in October, but Guruji said May was more auspicious. We wanted to get married in Shirdi, but it was not possible inside the temple. So the venue was shifted to Bandakpur (15 kms from Guruji’s hometown) and we got married in a Shiva temple. The arrangements were all made by Guruji.

But you were not keen on marriage and were happy with the way the relationship was going. What made you change your mind?
We felt that the relationship was complete without marriage and moreover, we also felt that the relationship may turn worse if we got married. So the reason for not getting married was to keep the relationship going. But now I feel we were wrong. I couldn’t even imagine that it would be so good. It has given me a sense of completeness and belonging. I feel completely secure, because Ranaji is such a sensitive and gentle husband.

Could you elaborate on your courtship?
During the initial days we hardly met, but spoke regularly on phone. Gradually, I started liking him and over a period we started trusting each other. The level of comfort and emotional dependence increased despite my initial discomfort for accepting another person in my life. On the career front too we grew, and after that everything went hunky-dory.

A long and committed relationship has its share of differences. Do you have any with Ashutosh?
Yes, we do have differences of opinion. I think it’s better to have any opinion than no opinion at all. We have had major arguments. But despite that, our relationship has grown because there has never been an intention to hurt the other person. We take things positively and try to nurture the relationship.

What do you like most about Ashutosh?
He is extremely intelligent and talented. He has a great sense of humour. What I like most about him is his complete commitment to the relationship and a deep sense of security that he gives me.

He seems to be very religious. Are you also?
Well, he is very religious, but not ritualistic. He is spiritual and committed to his Guruji. But I was never very religious. However, after marriage, Guruji has become my emotional anchor and a part of my life too. All our major decisions are taken in consultation with Guruji.

You seriously took to acting 13 years ago after your first marriage broke up. Now while the career is on and the going is good you have got married again. So are you planning to take a break from acting to concentrate on home and hearth?
There is no immediate plan to take a break. I am going to complete the assignments I have in hand and not taking up any fresh offers. When I decide to raise a family, acting will take a back seat and I will devote all my time to the kids. Frankly, I have never been too ambitious and if things had not happened easily I would not have reached the position where I am today. I was always very selective and never took on too much work. I have achieved everything in life and I would be too happy to retire any time.

But there was a time when you were all over the television screen with four-five serials on air.
Yes, I overworked for about a year or two, but it was irritable. I felt satisfied in some ways but by and large I was an unhappy person, because I am not a workaholic.

Now that you are talking of retirement, how has been your journey as an actress these past 13 years?
It was a highly disciplined and professional journey. It was a great learning experience, which however, is not over yet. I got much more than I could dream of.Though the journey is not yet over, you are talking of retirement... Well, priorities change. As I said before, I have never been too ambitious.

What do you have to say about Sandhya, the character you played in Khamoshiyaan... Kab Tak who is married to an older widower with two grown up daughters.
It’s really sad that parental poverty should suppress the desires and dreams of daughters. She is not happy being married to an older man with two daughters, but she has no choice but to accept the reality and adjust to the situation. While she is totally submissive as a wife, she shares a beautiful relationship with her stepdaughters. It’s such a close relationship, full of understanding and trust. Another interesting sub-plot is the silent love between Sandhya and her would be son-in-law Asim which remains unexpressed. It’s a good subject set in a traditional background which is saying something modern and progressive. I like playing Sandhya because the character goes with my personality.

How do you feel about your role in Kora Kagaz at this stage? The serial has been on air for three years now.
Well, the deserted wife Pooja suffered silently for too long, but gradually she has emerged strong and got her voice. I think she should get Ravi, but then the serial’s title is Kora Kagaz. So let’s see what happens?

Has acting helped you evolve as a person?
It’s been a continuous journey of learning and discovering myself. Each experience has taught me a lot. Thirteen years ago I was a rigid person, but now I have a wider perspective. I am more tolerant now and easily accept another’s point of view even if I don’t agree with it.

You had directed a standoff episode of Rishtey three years ago and were planning to write and direct a serial. What happened then?
Actually because of lack of time I couldn’t write and therefore the project got delayed. But now direction is no more a top priority.

— AL Chougule