Ratna Pathak Shah reveals her grandmother CRIED after her sister Supriya Pathak was born: ‘Haye haye doosri beti aagayi’ |
Veteran actor Ratna Pathak Shah has always been known for speaking honestly. At a recent event in Hyderabad, she spoke about her early life and how it was shaped by the mix of strict traditions and modern thinking in her family. Speaking at a FICCI FLO session, she shared that being raised mostly around women, with just one male cousin, strongly influenced how she sees gender roles and society.
A Painful Memory from Childhood
Despite being surrounded by strong women, Ratna recalled a painful childhood memory that revealed deep-rooted sexism, even in educated families. She remembered how her paternal grandmother reacted with loud grief when her sister Supriya was born, leaving young Ratna confused and hurt by the sadness over a baby girl’s arrival.Understanding Gender Bias at Home
This experience deeply impacted Ratna, making her realize how early gender discrimination begins—often right at home. She observed that even in educated, upper-class families, boys and girls are treated unequally. She believes that unless this subtle and obvious bias is addressed, achieving true gender equality will remain difficult.
A Father Who Broke Stereotypes
Amidst the pain, Ratna found hope in her father’s reaction to her sister Supriya’s birth. He chose to challenge the regressive mindset in his own way. Instead of following the usual custom of distributing different sweets for boys and girls, he gave out the one meant for boys—signaling equal value.
Navigating Motherhood in a Male-Dominated Space
Reflecting on motherhood, Ratna shared that raising two sons felt both entertaining and unusual, especially since she grew up surrounded mostly by women. She wasn’t fully prepared for the experience and often felt frustrated by the subtle ways boys were expected to receive more privileges simply because of their gender.
The actor also spoke about her relationship with her sister, Supriya Pathak, acknowledging that their bond wasn’t always smooth, especially in childhood. Ratna admitted she wasn’t the best sister and often acted like an emotional bully. Looking back, she’s relieved that phase stayed in the past and their bond evolved.
Despite their contrasting personalities, Ratna and Supriya Pathak share a strong bond that has deepened over the years. With time and understanding, their relationship has evolved, and Ratna finds comfort in knowing that someone who truly gets her exists in the world—someone who feels like a reflection of herself.
