In May 2024, I applied for a position as an anchor at a radio station where my mother had been a newsreader for almost 17 years. She had to leave her job due to some new rules and regulations. I’ve always had an inclination toward artistic pursuits like painting, singing, dancing, acting, and becoming an RJ or voice artist. But I had to put those dreams on hold because of my studies and the lack of surplus money to invest in these interests. So, I focused on my academics. Later, during my post-graduate days, I participated in a nukkad natak and received so many compliments from my professors and teammates. It felt like I had fulfilled one of my dreams.
In 2023, I got my first talk show. It was an amazing experience. Then, I landed another solo show, and that too went incredibly well. Eventually, I heard about the radio station recruiting panelists, so l applied, went through several rounds of tests and auditions, and passed with flying colors. The real journey began when I went to submit my documents and receive my joining letter. One of the officials I met praised me for scoring the highest among all the candidates.
During the interview process, I didn’t know who the judges were, but later I learned that one of them was a lady who knew my mother and her extraordinary talents. My mother is fluent in several languages and is a poetess, scriptwriter, short story writer, brilliant teacher, and great painter, basically, she’s everything amazing you can imagine. When the judge found out whose daughter I was, she said, “Oh, no wonder her command over English, Hindi, and Urdu is so good. However, she (me) is excellent.”
Wherever I go, whenever I meet someone who knows my mother, they always say it’s because of her that I am this good. I keep wondering- what does that mean? Then what was I doing all these years? Can’t I have talents of my own? Kya maine mehnat nhi ki hogi apne pronounciation skills pe, apne voice throw pe, apni reading skills pe? Kya mera khud ka kuch nhi. Mera jo bhi talent h wo sab sirf mummy k hee karan h warna nhi hote? Kya matlab h iss baat ka?
This isn’t about inferiority, hatred, or anything negative. But I genuinely want to understand-what is this feeling that I experience?