I Never Buy Branded Clothes: Ratna Pathak Shah
Ratna Pathak Shah – the renowned actor, theatre artists and art enthusiast spoke at the FICCI Ladies Organisation event in Hyderabad.
She addressed the FLO Hyderabad members and spoke about her journey as an artist. She also unveiled a specially curated memento featuring Telangana’s ancient 4000 year old Dokra craft in the presence of artisans Bhujanga Rao and Girijha Bai.
“This year, FLO is embarking on a journey to bring the powerful story of Dokra Art from Adilabad to the forefront. It is a key initiative for us. We aim to revive the 4,000-year-old Dokra metal casting craft by supporting artisans through awareness, design intervention, and market linkages,” shared Prathibha Kunda, Chairperson of the FLO Hyderabad chapter on the ocassion.
Here are excerpts of Ratna Pathak Shah’s conversation with Prathibha Kunda.
When asked about the impact of storytelling in her life, she shared, “I grew up in a family of storytellers, so the skill came naturally to me. I never wanted to be like my friends; I wanted to be different and special. Ironically, I hated the idea of being an actress, but I ended up becoming one. Acting gives you the rare opportunity to experience various professions without actually studying them.”
“I communicate well and express my thoughts clearly. This clarity has made me impactful,” she added.
Criticizing ineffective communication, she said, “Many people beat around the bush and fail to make a point. They make more noise than sense. Say what you want to say, but say it differently. That’s how you truly connect with people.”
Discussing the importance of scriptwriting, she stated, “A script makes a huge difference. It is the most crucial aspect of storytelling. Writing a good script is not easy; it takes time, effort, and energy.”
Speaking about the theatre group she co-founded with her husband, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna highlighted the entrepreneurial challenges of theatre. “Unlike film, theatre is a challenging task. We decided to stay small but make a big impact. We have always preferred venues that don’t require extensive infrastructure support. Theatre is a great way to communicate new ideas. You can look into your audience’s eyes and perform—that’s the beauty of theatre. Human contact is always needed, wanted, preferred, and celebrated. Theatre will survive,” she affirmed.
Ratna also spoke about home businesses, emphasizing that handcrafted products hold more value than mechanized ones. “Artisans, craftsmen, and women pass on their skills from generation to generation, making their work invaluable.”
Addressing the theme of change in society, she referenced the film Thappad, which explores the impact of domestic violence. “Changing attitudes is the most difficult challenge,” she observed.
Recalling her journey with handloom fabrics, she said, “I grew up in a family full of women who loved sarees. My love for handlooms began when I developed an aversion to wearing nylon fabrics. The feel of nylon against my skin put me off, and that’s when my connection with handwoven fabrics started.”
She encouraged the audience to support handmade products over branded ones. “Handwoven fabrics combine functionality and beauty in a way that mechanized textiles cannot. I never buy branded products because they lack Indianness. Printed products are mere copies, while craftsmen struggle to survive.”
She stressed the importance of instilling a love for arts and crafts from a young age. “Children must be taught about arts and crafts in schools. That is how we integrate art into everyday life.”
Ratna Pathak Shah left the audience with a thought-provoking message: “Don’t pull the ladder up after you’ve reached the top.”
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