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Varsha Agnihotri In The Vagina Monologues
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"I think interestingly what surprised me the most was the reaction by the men," muses Agnihotri. "They seemed sensitive to the plight of women especially as their stories come to light." She continues, "We've taken the play all around India with the exception of Chennai and found that rural Indians were equally responsive to women's issues," said Agnihotri.
Agnihotri describes herself as, "the quintessential small town girl", hailing from Kanpur. The daughter of a retired IAS officer her childhood was idyllic and without fuss. "I was truly pampered as a child and had a wonderful education." She was discovered by the renowned theatre Director, B.V. Karanth and the rest is history. "I believe acting is a calling. I don't think you can just wake up one morning and say you want to be an actress. I think the ability to play many characters has to be within you," she observes.
On women...
"I think it takes a great deal of courage to be a woman today. I think a woman can be a woman's best friend or her worst enemy. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. I think being a man may have greater challenges," she believes.
On the controversy surrounding the play ...
She feels, "I believe we live in a democratic society. I think it's the duty of the state to reserve each individual's right to an opinion, thought, idea, or production. In the same way each individual should reserve the right to dislike or approve of what they want. But don't take away rights of people to watch the production."
On relationships...
"Everyone is marrying everyone these days," she laughs. "I think the sanctity of partnership has dissipated to a vicarious existence." She pauses. "Maybe it's because we live in world which is hard to keep up with. I think this causes us to "not give relationships importance."
She continues, "I also think also has to do with upbringing. It's not just where you grow-up and the way you're conditioned. Was your mother aloof? Was she traditional? Was she the sari, bindi, and bangles type of woman? Was she encouraging or discouraging? I think you have to put all this in its proper context before you can look at yourself as an individual, a woman and one's relationships."
Her ideal man?
"If he exists he would be considerate, kind and charming. He would speak to me not above me. And he would speak to the valet and people in lower stations in life with the same respect as his contemporaries. I think that is very important in distinguishing exceptional character in a man."
She adds, "He should also be fun, love partying, love women as they grow older, be nice to me, and be a good son." She clarifies, "Though being a good son doesn't necessarily mean he'll be a good husband," she laughs. "Oh yeah, and he should be single and available."
Advice to other women...
"Follow your heart. If you want to be a pampered housewife, be one. Enjoy it. If you want a career and family, you should have one. Don't turn into a shadow of yourself for anyone. Learn to stand-up for what you believe in and educate other less fortunate women."
"I think women are stronger than men. We are more organized. More aware, and we can multi-task better than any one man."
What's next?
"I will be in a Hindi film, "Kalpavriksh - The Wishing Tree", directed by Manika Sharma and Priya Ahluwalia. The Vagina Monologues continues to be staged in Mumbai and India. And I am looking at film and television offers."
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Rohini Bhatia-Singh
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