Ratna Pathak Shah on playing Maya Sarabhai, Naseeruddin Shah, & Feminism | Karishma Mehta | Ep 62

“I couldn’t find work. Back in the 80s, after I came back from NSD, I was actively doing theatre but as enriching as that was, I needed to find work that’d pay me. I didn’t want to be someone who had to rely on a husband or a father to get by. Naseer had said then, ‘You are probably not the kind of person who will get work when you are young, maybe when you're older.’ I didn’t understand this back then, but Naseer had seen something I couldn’t - I wasn’t ready. Looking back, I can’t help but agree. And today, in my 60s, I have more work than I ever had as a young woman!”
An acclaimed actress, a powerful voice for change, and who we all know and love as ‘Maya Sarabhai’, Ratna Pathak Shah is a true legend of an artist in every sense. She has left her imprint on the silver screen with her exceptional talent and versatile performances. From her early days in theater to her groundbreaking roles in Bollywood, Ratna has not just acted in movies, but she has also shaped narratives and challenged norms.
Beyond the glitz and glamour, Ratna is a woman of substance, known for her unwavering dedication to her craft, her deep insights into the human condition, and her unyielding commitment to social causes. Not to mention her enduring partnership with the icon Naseeruddin Shah, showcasing to the world the beauty of a relationship rooted in mutual respect and artistic collaboration.
Today, we have the privilege of delving into Ratna's journey, unraveling the layers of her success, and discovering the extraordinary story of 'how the hell she did it.' Join us as we explore the wisdom, passion, and determination that have made Ratna Pathak Shah a true trailblazer in the world of entertainment and an inspiration to artists around the globe.
#ratnapathakshah #dhakdhak #humansofbombay
Time Stamps
00:00 - Precap
00:12 - Welcome to Humans of Bombay
00:33 - “They don’t write good parts for women!”
03:41 - What made her the strong woman she is?
06:24 - Her bond with her sister, Supriya Pathak
08:44 - Theatre days & wanting to get into Bollywood
12:30 - Getting the big break
16:10 - How she fell in love with Naseeruddin Shah
17:17 - Dealing with past relationships
18:09 - Life as a newly married couple
19:25 - Was playing Maya Sarabhai the turning point?
20:55 - Her take on nepotism
23:45 - Has Bollywood evolved?
24:26 - Top 3 things that can be fixed in India
26:04 - A new world for women
28:11 - Things about her we couldn’t find on google
32:23 - Advice to the youth
Links:
Humans of Bombay
Instagram: / officialhum. .
YT Shorts: / @humansofbombayuncovered
LinkedIn: / huma. .
Karishma Mehta
Instagram: / karimehta05
LinkedIn: / karishma-. .
About Humans of Bombay -
Humans of Bombay is a movement that started 9 years ago. We believe that every person has a story to tell and we want to help them tell these stories. In these years we’ve published stories across genres - stories of love, hope, faith and courage. And through our storytelling, we’ve built an engaged community of over 5M!
Our idea is simple - to strike a chord with our community and catalogue the beat of humanity, one story at a time.

[@surekhapisal2077]

It's an evolving period we are living in, with the content coming on the tube. Rightfully, exceptionally talented artists like Ratna are getting their due. Fortunate with great family, work and kids. Hope she always continues shining bright.😊

[@bhawanasingh7682]

Sarabhai Sara was ahead of its time but it's my favourite serial and place in my heart.

[@pmukherjee409]

She summed it up perfectly...intelligent conversation...I remember Sarabhai vs Sarabhai...amidst all the saas bahu non sense which was going on, that show was so refreshing....oh man....tulsi, parvati and prerna....I never understood how and why my mom or all the aunties around could relate to them.

[@shantighogale4298]

One of the best intellectual conversations with a great actor .

[@sougatmohapatra1663]

Great actor 😮😮...😂😂

[@ayandutta773]

Two thumbs up and one heart for Ratna ji...

[@shivamrajan6576]

What a remarkably talented woman and signifying an epitome of strong will power. Hats off ❤️ Love you Ratna Ma’am.

[@arpitapatel9325]

Love the last question absolutely amazing juts love you guys keep up the good work.

[@mausumidatta7875]

What an interesting way of talking!Fascinating !

[@zainabchechatwala8924]

This episode was ❤❤

[@fatemaplumber4368]

She is just amazing

[@humansofbombay2801]

❤️

[@deepachatterjee2585]

Ratna ji was 👌👌

[@imayurtambe]

Amazing 🤩

[@solankijeetesh3896]

Amazing 😍

[@jinkydsouza4939]

Karishma, a very intelligent conversation, indeed..thanksfor this....but i think in the midst of all this, u seemed a bit exhausted or just worn out....please do take good rest......

[@purveshyesaji8208]

What a vibe❤

[@humansofbombay2801]

❤️

[@hasnainpatel-kf3lg]

Best one ❤❤❤

[@humansofbombay2801]

❤❤❤

[@RakshaRS]

Love her❤️

[@humansofbombay2801]

❤❤❤

[@RachitaGupta]

Ratna shah was exceptionally good in recent dhak dhak. Watch it for her flowy and effortlessly pitched performance 🎉

[@manoreddy-yule4506]

She was brilliant!

[@kkomaldiwan]

Beautiful ❤

[@sharayupillay5434]

❤❤❤ fav fav

[@humansofbombay2801]

Absolutely! ❤️

[@dikshasethi]

Questions are quite poorly structured. I wish the host could match Ratna ji's aptitude of holding the conversation.

[@chrisneel5298]

Agree. She was intimidated by Ratna's experience and intellect.

[@fatemaplumber4368]

Love her MAXXXX

[@humansofbombay2801]

❤️❤️❤️

[@avantimukherjee5709]

Respect, respect and only respect for Ratna Pathak Shah ... a class apart ❤❤

[@yeshabhatt]

It would be really helpful if the mic is in a better setup, to listen it clearly we need Max volumn while traveling in the public places or even walking.

[@musarratchowdhury3578]

Lot of respect for the lady

[@gaganwadhwa9535]

Very nice interview 👌👌 Great Conversation 👍👍

[@anupriyaakhade1526]

She's a legend ✨❤️

[@humansofbombay2801]

Indeed, she is! ❤️

[@sougatmohapatra1663]

She is a witch

[@fatemaplumber4368]

Love her mahnn!!!

[@humansofbombay2801]

❤️

[@RenukaWalterVoyagerforlife]

Ratna Pathak Shah is wrong when she says that Sarabhai was accepted after it was available online …. I mean duh! We had watched so many reruns of it several times during 2005 - 2008! It was available online much later. Sarabhai always had its audience and it will continue to have.

[@Indiaindiaindia12346]

Agree, i had watched it on TV with my whole family and we are big fan of that Show .. ❤..

[@chrisneel5298]

Host is a poor communicator. She doesn't know how to make interview flow. All credit to Ratna for answering in cerebral and interesting manner.

[@user-kh7wr7en5o]

What cna she anyway do, product of nepotism who stole an idea and thriving

[@ravsgill]

I don’t think we were watching the same interview! Great interview 👏

[@chrisneel5298]

@@ravsgill All depends on one's analytical skills. Interview is bad when guest does all the talking and interviewer has no expertise to politely interject.

[@chrisneel5298]

@@user-kh7wr7en5o I am ignorant about her background.

[@chandrabappanad6963]

Silly and dumb host …stop giggling and be serious. Starstuck

[@ahsanrauf6144]

Beautiful Woman

[@mohsinbatatawala6271]

❤️❤️❤️

[@humansofbombay2801]

❤❤❤

[@parth3337]

❤❤

[@humansofbombay2801]

❤️

[@firdosmanawar1674]

Ratna Pathak says the most amazing line. Interviewer - yeah

[@trusharpatel3]

સુંદર મહિલાઓનો આભાર, તે એક મનોરંજક, રમૂજી અને ડરામણી મુલાકાત હતી 🌷

[@atrumshutrum4032]

❤

[@sunlitmist]

How can an intelligent lady with own stand have a long lasting and fruitful relationship with a successful actor ? 🤔 I would give credit to the man as well .. most successful male actors only need a trophy wife 🏆 ..

[@kc-lo8jy]

Can a court case be filed against those channels who keep calling mumbai as bombay.

[@anshulsharma8138]

The channel name in humans of Bombay but it very difficult to find humanity in Bombay

[@doladutta7699]

Then u don't know Bombay... We have withstood a lot of atrocities only bcoz pple went out of their way to help each other

[@akshitajain8044]

No one like Ratna Pathak shah!!!

[@blessedaretheblessed1555]

HoB -- based on copied format and profit earning to the maximum.

[@MR.AYUSHKUSWA]

The hostess seems sleepy and uninterested to conduct interview. These questions could be answered by iust reading from question cards too. Y need a hostess? Abrupt change in the genre of questions without any interaction from her. Ratna Shah interviewed herself seems like.

[@veneratenew]

Was a big fan of her until came across her karwa chauth comment

[@user-kh7wr7en5o]

I didnt piss away my degree and hence i stole an idea and cashing on its popularity made around vulnerable lives

[@amrutakulkarni4940]

Why is the host giggling...

[@fariaahmad6070]

Bcz she is nervous

[@arinddas24]

The host couldn’t do a better job. Funny but, this lady as usual had to defame this culture to feel relevant and intellectual.

[@azaraelhyzer3874]

I hope we get to see "Humans of Hell".😂

[@BansariNaik]

The host manages to irritate me effortlessly.

[@kashutanveer6802]

Karishma should work on her interviewing skills. She is ill prepared and cannot carry a smooth flowing conversation and I think the reason is that she has a poor vocabulary and low confidence. I have watched a few of her interviews and can see she is struggling to find the right words to form a Question. Please do loads of practice and mock up interview before going in front of dignified people so to avoid making yourself look unprofessional.

[@mohitanand1844]

That Karishma girl has started showing.the signs of ageing

[@sougatmohapatra1663]

Miss buddhi...

[@jennifergonsalves2773]

Host has zero knowldege about what ratna pathak is talking

[@seemaray1996]

Two products of nepotism together

[@Satyam_Mehta]

2 Aunty 😂

[@lampyclampy]

I do not karwachaut because i am modern and educated 😂😂😂😂

[@ub9273]

Why this host sounds so boring and annoying at the same time ?

[@sircc7343]

Ratna pathak is the most over-rated actor. Ratna pathak's sister, supriya pathak is much much better actor than ratna.

[@veneratenew]

Yeah. I also feel the same.. Her dictation, expressions, tonality are all the same in every character

[@GaneshJadhav-bt4zi]

देश के जेहरीले लोग!

[@mohitamhaskar2604]

❤❤❤

[@humansofbombay2801]

❤️