Ask Priya Life Sessions season 2 written and narrated by Priya Gopal
Day 1:
How important is money in life ?
Health first and then money according to me. Like it may be aware everywhere and to even five year old kids, money is needed as the base form of everything. Then education, food and very alert nature forms the crux of life.
Is it good to fully accept and bow down to be secondary to one's husband, father or sibling ?
No. Please don't do that, that's my advice. If you're uneducated, you can be guided by the educated male members of your family. But your interests and wellbeing should not be secondary to them.
Why do suicides happen ?
Suicides mainly happen because of lack of money. As soon as you gain adulthood, you need to be very alert, learn common sense and plan your life smartly. Then I'm sure you'll earn money. Other kinds of suicides are heartbreaks and failing in examinations. Handle it coolly. There's always a next time. I'm sure you're destined to be with somebody better, soon you'll find him or her.
Do you agree that Shahrukh is the last superstar of Bollywood ?
Shahrukh has made well for himself with his hardwork and tact. There has been Hrithik Roshan too. He had the looks and unmatchable talent inside him. But he has done very few films so far. He should sign more movies. Vicky Kaushal, Ayushman Khurana, Ranveer Singh and Ranbir Kapoor are good-looking and talented too. It's only just that they should do more movies. Nearly three-to-four movies per year. Webseries are also a good option. Hence I think Shahrukh is not the last superstar of Bollywood.
With unlimited fame, love from his countrymen and wit, should Shahrukh run for the PM's post in India ?
He can ofcourse be India's Prime Minister in future. But it would be better if he works minimum five years as MP(Member of Parliament) and learn the nuances of the art of Politics before fighting for the PM's post.
Day 2:
What exactly happens in a man's mind when his girlfriend starts pestering him for marriage ?
He gets scared initially. Then starts thinking whether his girlfriend will run away with his life-savings and leave him penniless. Then he thinks, cooling down this time, can he afford a separate good chunk of money to buy a house. The last step is that whether his parents will accept her as their daughter-in-law.
Will marriages cease to happen fifty years from now ?
Marriage has always been a function with relatives and friends to celebrate oneness and pure love. But as time went by, the world got commercialized and dark practices like dowry and sati got included especially in India. Women were tortured by husbands and in-laws for money and because she was an easy target and financially dependent on her husband. But yes, education has changed all that. Working hard meant good career-base and being self-dependent. So currently it's the system of double income nuclear families. Already DNA testing which is accurate, scientific and court-recognised has come to the fore. So money can be very easily claimed in court. There's surrogacy and donor sperm facilities too which has become rampant and so many A-list celebrities have gone by it glittering and it got splashed all across the media. Tesla chief Elon Musk, Eddie Murphy and football legend with massive fan following all over the world- Ronaldo have all successfully laughed at the institution. This wave will slowly, surely and strongly enter India too and will definitely follow suit. So I also think that marriage procedures will cease to happen fifty years from now on.
Will Chat GPT ie Synthesia Studio or up-to-date AI totally stop the professional acting career of men and women ?
The perfection that is there in Chat GPT Synthesia Studio or AI(Artificial Intelligence) will shake the movie industries across the globe. The huge exorbitant payments given to superstar actors will be done away with. Great amounts will be spent on technology only.
Which is the movie you suggest to watch to today's Indian youth ?
3 idiots
Taare Zameen par
Independence day(Hollywood film)
Yuva
Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Chak de India
Lagaan
Raees
My name is Khan
After so much advancement in technology, what do you still suggest the scientists to invent ?
We do want more research in tackling Cancer. Rest all is very positive in today's world.
Day 3:
What if the newage educated career women, totally, frankly, confidently and outrightly decline to give birth to babies ?
You can't force her into getting pregnant and giving birth. You have to ask this major issue before marriage itself. If you come to know of this decision of hers after marriage, you can opt for surrogacy.
Does big labels matter while shopping ?
For me, no. I do check whether the food items are properly packed and sealed. I do check the expiry date here. During school days, I used to go shopping in Fashion Street near Shivaji Park in Mumbai. In my twenties I used to go shopping for exquisite, beautiful and expensive sarees in 'Dulhan' near Vashi Depot, 'Tapi', 'Milan' and 'Kajri' showrooms in sector 9 Vashi. The best quality kanjeevaram silk sarees and that too at reasonable prices are available in 'Balaji Silks' in Bhandup. I myself check the items and after scrutinizing it's quality only buy it. The Sunday market Ulwe also is very good and affordable. Good quality tops at ₹50, T-shirts at ₹250 and trousers are also available at cheap rates. An array of items are available here. It's every woman's shopping paradise. I'm a middle class woman too. So I can't afford a Manish Malhotra creation or a Sabyasachi ensemble. But I'm happy. I know where to go for what.
What should an Indian youth do if he is not getting the job of his dreams ?
Then in that case, if he is a hardworking person by nature, he can switch over to a little less paying but good job. He can, along with job, learn a new skill or do higher education in distance education format. Thus there is a little contentment inside you and your mind doesn't go into a pessimistic mode.
Would you divorce your loving and caring spouse if your parents ask you to do it ?
No. Love and care are the strong pillars of any family relationship. I would consult my parents and take their opinion too before marriage. But once into marriage, I'll protect and nurture it in every way possible.
Does sleeping with men/women other than your spouse be considered wrong, what if it's just for lust ?
There are certain theories that Hindus follow. Fifty years ago, it was strongly believed in remote parts of India that a man can sleep around with any number of prostitutes, it shows his guts and masculinity. But a woman should be a virgin. If she's not, nobody will marry her. But yes, I've noticed, that men and women both are everready to marry for money. I personally don't want my partner to sleep with other women. Shouldn't men have basic common sense and respect towards the feelings of his wife ? Will he die if he celibates for one day ?
Day 4
What kind of Bollywood movies would you, the audience like to watch in future ?
Movies about bromance- Zindagi na milegi dobara, girl-bonding- Veere di wedding, modern elite life- 'Dil dhadakne do' and 'Mumbai Salsa', great comedies- Mujhse shaadi karogi, some interesting well-crafted message movies- 'Raees’, 'My name is Khan', 'Bajrangi bhaijaan' and mood cheering movies- 'Chak de India' and 'Lagaan'.
Do you adore beautiful videos of Karan Johar's kids ?
Yes. The kids are adorable. They are as witty and smart as their genius father. They, even at this young age have good command over English language.
Who do you think is the most beautiful woman of the year 2023 ?
Kiara Advani and Alia Bhatt are the most beautiful women of this year, according to me.
Would you want to hear a motivational lecture ?
No. I find it boring. I would prefer watching movies like 'Lakshya', Mani Ratnam's 'Yuva', 'Chak de India' and 'Lagaan' instead.
Do you believe in the theory of mannat to become successful ?
I personally do. I was a Depression patient right since eighteen years of age. So academics were a bit difficult. I took up mannat of the Lord of Narsinge Temple in Manipal, Karnataka and emerged victorious. My post graduation happened likewise. I don't consider it as superstition. I just shared my grief with God and lo! he helped. It's my personal experience that there is a divine force watching all hardworking and clear-hearted believers and he does help.
Day 5
What will happen if Hrithik Roshan, the moviestar does four movies every year ?
This is something that he has to has to do. He looked great in War. Rajnikant, the south superstar is working as a hero even now. Even if Hrithik looked a bit aged in 'Dheere dheere' music video, but just like the makeup or prosthetic make up like Rajnikant Hrithik can also use such kind of new technology make up and score over. We can't afford to lose a talent powerhouse like him just because he is looking middleaged. The technology is advanced and we can and we should use it.
What do you think is the solution to Russia-Ukraine war ?
There is more to life than bombing and getting bombed. Killing and enjoying the cries of innocent civilians will not make the mightier military country great. The welfare of the citizens in any country big or small matters above all. This is the actual truth of good governance. So citing this, both countries should enter into a ceasefire. Love, care and humanity are the qualities the governments in each and every country in this world should believe in and avoid first time war-call to the other country.
Is Israel right in waging a full-scale war against the Hamas ?
Yes, according to me Israel is right. I support Israel in the step and measure they have taken against terrorism. Killing innocent civilians cannot and should not be taken lightly. Once the terrorist organisation is sure in its mind that no big cross-counter step will be taken militarily, it will boost their confidence and bigger and horrifying evil intentions will follow.
Would you fire an extremely beautiful female employee from her job if her performance in her job is not upto the mark ?
Yes, I will. Above everything bread and butter matters. There are the reporting officers and seniors in office, whom I have to answer. I don't want to get thrown out and starve sitting on the footpath because of the foolishness called woman woman and woman.
Should a successful career woman take advice from her husband ?
Girls, don't take it on your egoes. There are n number of issues which crop up in today's double income nuclear families. Taking your husband's opinion won't belittle you. Don't depend on him, just hear his opinion or advice with a smile on your face and later on do what you feel is right and suitable.
Day 6
Give the step-by-step procedure followed by a man, when his wife insults him in public.
He may try to use his physical strength more in bed. He may bite and scratch horribly increasingly, to take revenge on his wife. He may also come home late and that too drunk. Some may even resort to domestic violence.
Give the step-by-step procedure followed by a man if his wife cheats on him.
Some men with anger problem may also resort to murdering his wife. The others with the cool and composed mindset may call up the lawyer regarding divorce. Some may resort to extramarital affairs and come home late or not come home at all for weeks together.
If you would like to gift someone a book, which book it will be ?
I've not read the book 'Becoming' by Michele Obama. I adore this dignified lady. She is the former first lady of the US. She studied law and is a careerwoman, a good mother and a wonderful wife. She looks confident and composed and has a matured thinking pattern. So I'm sure, if it's about her life, and also because it's a 'bestseller', I would gift 'Becoming' to my loved one.
What should a husband do, if his wife has the bad habit of shedding tears and melodrama every now and then even in parties in full public eye ?
He should attend parties and functions with the family-dog and not even inform his wife regarding the get-together. A leopard can't change its spots.
What precautions should you take if your spouse is too handsome/beautiful ?
Just admire your spouse's beauty and walk confidently with him or her. You're also no less. It's good that your spouse has nicely groomed himself. But so what ? If anyone misbehaves, then train your spouse in advance to give a befitting reply.
Day 7
Ronaldo is a big football star with enormous amount of money. He has got global fan following. Should Indian youth also follow and emulate his lifestyle ?
Lifestyle to a great extent comes from one's culture which has been taught at home, friend-circle and school. Today's generation also has trend of buying everything with money. But money can't buy you true love. Respect is earned after years of discipline, hardwork and goodwill. Then, now we have the internet and the Whatsapp generation. Media splashes across the minutest details of the celebrities. In social media age anything about any star becomes viral within minutes. Everything is glamourised and presented in a glossy way. So the teenage minds finds these lifestyles attractive and they start to dream about it and to look like a stud like him, emulate him. But use your brains. Do what is suitable for you in the long run, is what I suggest.
Should young girls wear fancy and beautiful saree pins on the fleet just below her navel?
Yes, they should wear it. It makes you look sexy and adorable.
What should a woman do to command genuine respect in front of family ?
She should work hard and be financially independent. Any sort of respectable job would do.
Should women with horrible traits like scheming against others, jealousy and totally unwarranted emotional drama be considered as respected family member ? Is it wrong to avoid them completely or throwing them out of the family ?
Such women should not be considered a respectable family member. Whoever she has targeted in the past should use their brains and avoid going to parties and functions where she is supposed to come. This kind of avoiding should be done in future too. It is better than scheming behind her back in a hush-hush manner, which can spoil our own name.
Should today's kids be handled only with lots of love without raising hand ?
I don't think raising your hand on your own kid is totally wrong. Sometimes kids observe us from a distance minutely and take advantage of our lineancy. They may stop doing their homework, their academic studies altogether. So to discipline them and to train their young minds to do the right thing, it's sometimes necessary to raise your hand on them.
Day 8
Bill Gates and Steve Jobs dropped out of college, but they worked hard in their respective startups and had very successful careers. Should we also allow our teenage kids to drop out of college and become entrepreneurs ?
The internet is hugely flooded with professional startup coaches. I've myself seen blitz krieg of them. Teenagers can be encouraged to learn more about or even extensively about their topics of interest. But to take it up as a full time profession is very risky, especially if you are from a middle class or lower-middle class family. So there has to be a Plan-B ie a graduation degree. If you're not able to make-it as an independent entrepreneur, and you are losing money in big amounts, you can shutdown the business and take up a comfortable job.
Is it the right thing to keep 'yes men' deliberately around us, or is it sheer foolishness ?
It's sheer foolishness. Don't keep 'yes men' around you.
Why do men restrict the careers of their wives ? Is it just a show of bogus masculinity or is it beneficial in anyway ?
It's not beneficial in anyway. It's a pathetic show of bogus masculinity. Men restrict the careers of their wives because they are extremely jealous and they want to trample their wives' desires and feelings under their feet.
Will India also within the next five years, have women like Hollywood star Angelina Jolie and pop singer Britney Spears ? Is it advisable to pop mental sickness medicines, change men every two years, upload nude photos in social media and call ourselves 'hot' in front of the media ?
Success if got through hardwork, tiring efforts and determined dedication in the right way is what will make you genuinely happy and contented at the end of the day. But there are people who strip nude and make money out of it. If they have been brought up in that kind of surroundings, they will just count money at the end of the day and not think more about it, atleast they'll have food to eat. But for the others, sooner or later they may feel guilty and once they have passed that youth phase, because of no money, familial support or huge guilt, they may consider themselves not fit to live. This is heinous.
Will the strict action taken by Israel against the terrorist outfit 'Hamas' give moral strength to the other nations suffering from similar terrorism issues.
Deep intricate discussions should be done with the army chief and the various ministers involved in secrecy. According to me letting the media and the politicians open huge secrets about strict action taken against terrorists will do more bad than good. Do everything in secrecy. Israel took the big step and waged an open war against the Hamas. Other nations who are also suffering from the evil called terrorism, should kill the top to bottom people involved in these kinds of horrible terrorist activities, but in secrecy.
Day 9
Do women in love early in life lag behind in career ?
I don't think it's like that. Academics and matters of the heart are two different worlds altogether. Don't ever mix them both. Career is important and if you find a kind-hearted future husband, there's nothing wrong in that.
Is the system of marriage meant to protect the interests of the women involved and her children ? In the modern world with educated and career-ambitious women can this old system be changed ?
This old system is already changed. Television queen Ekta Kapoor, former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen have bravely fought the odds and are leading a good life.
In the ancient times, there were kings whose only pasttime was to engage in war and extend their boundaries. The European countries were ofcourse very strong. Can you suggest the measures that these already existent Indian kings should have taken to prevent British invasion of old India ?
Britishers came to India firstly to engage in trade. Then slowly and surely they after knowing the weaknesses of the Indian kings, fought against our local kings and annexed their kingdoms. There were before also mighty rulers from Mongolia and Afghanistan who fought battles and captured Indian land. Some settled here for longer time and even did good to the local population. Petty fights among local rulers for increasing their pieces of land constantly were the major reasons on which the Britishers cashed in. The various previous rulers should have taken note of that in advance and through meetings among themselves talked and discussed about it and the steps to be taken to counter British invasion.
How can you motivate plain housewives to become more confident and slowly becoming financially independent ? Is it right to lie or conceal certain facts from one's husband and in-laws in such cases ?
There are newage Indian husbands who are cooperative and they respect the feelings of their wives. But there are ofcourse fickle minded Indian husbands and in-laws who love to watch their daughters-in-law cry. They love to quash the feelings and desires of their daughters-in-law and trample it under their feet and laugh at their state from a distance. Modern daughters-in-law have to be financially independent and yes, if it's necessary to maintain secrecy, then they should go for it.
We do have success-stories of group of illiterate married women together engaging in business and earning livelihood. There are such well-publicised stories in the media. But how viable are these ? Is it really possible ?
It is viable and really possible. Where there is a will, there is a way.
Day 10
With the advent of internet, the school going Indian kids can learn a lot of things and the coaching videos are also available there, if not every single stuff, but a lot of procedures and guidances are there, should we encourage our kids to watch and try the same at home ?
These the kids can go through during vacation time.
If we, especially the kids and teenagers love to listen to horror stories, but are scared to watch them in movies, is there any other alternative ?
In YouTube there are audio horror stories told in a very nice and interesting manner. They are available in Marathi language- Marathi Bhaykatha. In Hindi the stories that are narrated by Prince Singh are very interesting and good.
As per the current trend, what is your current analysis of Bollywood ?
Bollywood movies have come out of the bad phase. The audiences have reinstated their faith and love in Shahrukh. Now with his 'Dunki' going to release soon, a Rajkumar Hirani film and that too on the rampant current issue of illegal immigration, it looks like a good bait on the audience. Tiger 3 has also done well. Rocky aur Rani ki prem kahani, Gadar 2, Tu jhooti main makkaar have all done well. Current trend and current youth issues presented with style have all done well. Okay all's well.
With Modi-magic intact and work in full swing in building the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, great amount of big project inaugurations, correct kind of elegant and strong promotion, although the Congress is trying hard with its traditional dynasty star-campaigners, who do you think will win the central government elections this time in year 2024 ?
Modiji has a strong personality and the BJP workers very rampantly claim that the current PM has come up the hard way through the various selection procedures. And also that he's the tea-vendor's son. There is the brother-sister duo campaigning ferociously from the Congress party. I still think the BJP will again win the 2024 general elections.
Which kind of books do you want to read ?
I would want to read books having real stories of courageous and successful single mothers. There are women like Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis, Michele Obama whom I admire. I would want to read their stories of triumph against all odds. Real life stories of specialist surgeon doctors or female lawyers or successful female politicians is what I like the most.
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