Former Miss India, a national swimming champion and actor, Nafisa Ali, who was in Kochi, shares her thoughts on films, family and politics.
Beautiful, radiant and effervescent, Nafisa Ali brims with energy. The adoring grandmother of Aamair still exudes the vivacious enthusiasm of the 15-year-old national swimming champion. The Miss India 1976 who went on to become Miss International Runner-up in ‘77, she was also a jockey at the Calcutta riding club before entering the film world...Nafisa Ali had done it all before hanging up her boots to become a full-time wife and mother in her early twenties.
Her life after the self-imposed 18-year hiatus is as interesting and varied. Her enthusiasm is infectious as she talks about her multifarious interests... whether it is designing for her own brand of clothes, films, politics, modelling or the social issues she is interested in. Nafisa Ali was in Kochi last week to do an advertisement for Lakshmi Jewellery, Paravoor.
Appna, her boutique...
My boutique ‘Appna’ which has just completed one year is at the top of my priority list at the moment. It is at Lodhi Colony, Delhi. All that we sell are designed by me. Affordable fashion is what my label is all about. ‘Appna’, the name has been made combining the first letter of everyone’s names in my family. Armana - my daughter, Pickles- my husband (she is married to Retd Col R S Sodhi who is a renowned polo player and Arjuna Awardee), Piya, my second daughter and Ajit, my son.
Politics...
I am not interested in contesting for elections now, but I am in politics because I want to work for my country. I believe that politics in our country is in need of socially committed people, reformers, who can bring about a positive change. I hope in the forthcoming assembly polls, the Congress wins in Kerala.
Social interests...
I am interested in women’s empowerment and children’s issues. We used to run a hospice for HIV+ people long back when there were not many doing it. We don’t do it anymore as now there are many NGOs doing such work. Domestic violence is a big problem for women in our country. It affects not just women but also the children who witness it and their psyche. Alcoholism is another social evil that needs to be curbed.
Films...
Post ‘Guzarish’ and ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’, I am now taking a break. I like to do films that make you think, ‘Guzaarish’ made people think about euthanasia. I have high regard for films from the South, especially Malayalam films. They have serious content ... good stories. There is much attention to detail. I think film makers in Malayalam should make films for an international audience, instead of films just for Kerala.
Big B and Mammootty...
Working in Big B was a wonderful experience; in fact, it was one reason why I decided to do this advertisement. Mammootty was very nice and caring. He had this small AC which he used on the sets that he used to share it with me. And yes, I would like to do more Malayalam movies.
Family...
My family has always been my first priority. And now I want to spend time with my grandson (son of Armana). I want to pamper him and be quite the adoring grandmother (laughs aloud).
