HYDERABAD: Peppy, excited and filled with child-like enthusiasm, actress Sana Shanoor Begum makes you feel as comfortable as you do when you see her on the screen. From being the woman waiting for her husband in Ninne Pelladatha, to an angry and vibrant goddess on the television show, Adi Parashakti – the 39-year-old has proven that she can mould herself into any character and execute it with ease. Nearly 500 films in 18 years, in more than three languages is not a small number.
“None of this would have happened without my husband,” blushes the actress who was married at the age of 14. “He was 21 and it was like a child’s play,” she laughs. Innocent and carefree, she sat at the Nikah ceremony, in the best version of herself. “It was a simple ceremony. Nothing extravagant. I didn’t know the meaning of marriage or a physical relationship. You won’t believe it, my hair was cut short. The only thing I remember was people saying – arey, dulhan ke baal kitte chote hain,”she recalls, as she breaks into a fit of giggles.
And her relationship with her husband, over the last 26 years has been as simple as the ceremony. “I was born in riches. I was the only daughter to my parents. I had people who would bring me a finger bowl to wash my hands after a meal. That changed when my father’s business suffered a loss. They wanted to get me married, because they thought that was best for me. I didn’t object. I didn’t even know I could object,” shares Sana. And today, she admits, “When I look back, that was one of the best things that happened in my life, also at the right time.” She moved in with her husband’s family, close to 15 people under one roof. Her husband, the eldest in the family, was the responsible one. “I wasn’t shocked or surprised. That’s what happens generally, but I was well taken care of. My in-laws pampered me like my parents and so did my husband Syed Sadadth,” she blushes.
A quiet and shy person, Sadadth is not as expressive as she is.
“Oh, he doesn’t say anything. But there are moments he makes me go red,” she says and shares one experience.
“My shoot timings are unpredictable. One day I could be eating with my family and the next morning I am flying to another city. One such morning, I missed my flight to Bengaluru. He was driving and I was so tired, I slept off. I suddenly woke up and realised that I was near Bengaluru. I asked him, why didn’t you wake me up and he said, I was watching you. You are so beautiful even in your sleep, especially now when the sun is playing hide and seek on your face. That was one of the best moments with him,” she recalls.
She calls him her support system and we have to take her word for it. “I come from a traditional, conservative Muslim family. After I got married, I found one advertisement for a model. I sought permission from my in-laws. My mother-in-law said, kaiku beta. I told her I was interested. They hesitated first. I didn’t pursue it. One week later, the same advertisment appeared again and I tried again. They let me and I didn’t look back since then.”
Sana admits that taking care of a big family, making a mark in the film and television industry and ensuring that her children are grounded, only happened because she grew along with her husband Sadadth, personally and professionally. “He is like a mother to me. Telling me what is good and bad for me. He never stopped me from doing what I want and he is extremely proud of me,” she shares. He notices nothing but Sana. “He doesn’t watch a lot of movies. He is not active on social media. But when he watches a film starring me, he talks only about how beautiful I looked, or about the character. He just doesn’t care about or even notice anything else in the film,” she laughs.
Even today, Sana is approached by “prospective” mothers-in-law. “One lady came up to me and was disappointed to learn that I am married and have two children. She said, she would make me her daughter-in-law in her next life. It is shocking, but also a pleasant feeling. Sadadth makes a lot of fun about these things. He is proud of me,” she blushes, again.
It was also the couple’s collective decision to make sure that her children understand the value of life. “My kids can afford to stay in a seven-star hotel and also live in a hut if the situation demands. And that is something we wanted them to cultivate, because we never know what life can throw at you,” points Sana.
Right through her career, Sadadth has been there for her, even supporting her when she made bold decisions. She started as a model and at one point auditioned for one towel brand. “I told my husband that it’s not a bikini. I will cover what needs to be covered with the towel. He didn’t object,” Sana tells us. She credits him for her success. “We worked together, in all matters – my career, his career, our family matters, everything,” adds the proud mother of two – Syed Anwar and Tabassum Begum. Syed is a producer, and owns Evergreen Productions. Tabassum, who got married in January is a professional fashion designer. “They are accomplished in their own fields. But we have ensured that they do what they are interested in. At the end of the day, it is all about passion,” says Sana.
Her dream is to work till the end of her time. “I would like to die on a set,” she laughs and signs off.