Not at all. We Mangeshkars follow the policy of non-interference. We're there if
we need one another.
What made you opt for a second marriage?
I wanted to stop tongues from wagging. If we hadn't married people who have
said, "Dekha, she has no shame, going around with him."
Since you lived separately, it did seem that your marriage was on the rocks.
What rubbish! I wasn't a nai naveli dulhan who had to go into a new house and
touch her saasu's feet! Before our marrige, I had told Pancham that I would look
after both our houses. He was ware that I was totally devoted to my children (Anand,
Hemant and Varsha). If my children weren't around perhaps I wouldn't have
married again. I didn't want them to feel embarrassed; I wanted them to hold
their heads up high.
How did your children take to R.D.Burman as a step-father?
He was no stranger to them. They'd call him Pancham uncle.
You're first marriage had ended bitterly. So didn't you hesitate before taking
the plunge again?
You tell me... do all marriages have to end bitterly? All marriages have their
own specific problems. And the second time around, I was more alert. Once bitten
twice shy. We both had our independence and yet we were bonded. He wanted me to
have my own identity.. and I tried not to be the typical nagging wife.
Were there things about him that you wanted to control but couldn't?
I didn't approve of his drinking. He had diabetes, so I also tried to control
his eating habits. But he wasn't a two-year old kid. I couldn't possibly have
taken him on my lap and spoon-fed him! Since I'd have to go for recordings or
concerts, he'd slip back into hi ..... |
