You must give your best: Ssujata Mehta shares what her mentors taught her

MUMBAI: Acclaimed actress Ssujata Mehta, who has proven her mettle as an actress with performances in Pratigyabadh, Rajlakshmi, Tyagi, Pratighaat, and Yateem, among others, says she never had a mentor or guide in the initial days of her journey in the entertainment industry. However, she said that she had a few seniors whom she looked up to and whose wisdom helped her in her journey so far.

Speaking on the occasion of Teacher’s Day, which is celebrated on September 5, she said, “In the entertainment world and acting profession, I had a senior artist I looked up to, Tarla Joshi, who was much more experienced than me. She has passed away, but I used to share many things with her, and she often told me that during her time, the entertainment world was not as advanced, with far fewer opportunities.”

“She would always share her viewpoint but never impose her decisions on me, insisting that I should rely on my own experience and understanding. Another senior I admired was Minal Patel. Both of them had struggled a lot and were very hardworking. They were avid readers and often emphasized the importance of reading for actors. We would often engage in brainstorming sessions and invite people to our place for drama readings,” she added.

She also revealed that though she didn’t read herself, she appreciates listening to others' creations and work. She continued, “I also worked with Dinkar Jani in a play named Veronica. We rehearsed for three months, but it didn’t perform well at the box office. However, that play led me to Chitkaar, and Chitkaar led to Pratighaat.”

She added, “When I entered the film industry later, I connected with Aruna Raje, a renowned producer, writer, and director of many films. She was a leader in an organization called Landmark Education, however, now she is not the leader and is a filmmaker. We have known each other for 15 years, and I call her ‘Anna.’ Sometimes, I ask her for advice, and she shares her perspective.” Ssujata also stressed that things would have been different if she had a guru, guide, or philosopher at the beginning of her career. However, she added, “From my seniors, I learned that whatever work you take on, you must give your best and not worry about whether it will be a success or a flop—leave that to the Almighty.” She also mentioned that the entertainment industry has taught her to keep working, be unstoppable, hardworking, and smart. “You have to be constant, persistent, and committed—lessons I’ve taken from my mentors as even a trainer needs a trainer," she said.

She has the utmost respect for her uncle and aunt, who introduced her to the stage, and is grateful to them because she was able to pursue acting, even though her father wasn’t very keen on her entering the profession.

“My colleagues and associates have supported me throughout my acting journey. In my life, I’ve worked based on my own merit. No one has ever offered me a role outright. Some people didn’t even give me phone numbers that could have made my struggle easier, as today’s directors and producers often don’t pick up unknown calls, and you have to get through to them via someone else—that’s the challenge I face,” she said. “However, I believe in working on my own, trusting that God is great with me. My parents have been my biggest supporters, especially my brother, who often accompanied me to outdoor shoots and was present during my photo sessions. When my sister-in-law joined the family, she also supported me. In the film industry, I’ve had no godfather to guide me,” Ssujata ended.