“I Am More Beautiful For Having Been Broken,” Lisa Ray

“I Am More Beautiful For Having Been Broken,” Lisa Ray

Lisa Ray dons multiple hats. She is an actress, model, television host, philanthropist, social activist and a writer, to name a few.  We have seen her in movies of all genres – the critically-acclaimed ‘Water’, the romantic thriller ‘Kasoor’ which introduced her to Bollywood, and others.  

Her filmography includes English, Hindi and Telugu films wherein she shared the screen with top-notch actors. Nevertheless, life was not a smooth sailing for this gorgeous diva. In 2009, Lisa was diagnosed with multiple myelomes, a rare cancer of white blood cells. Lisa continues to be on medication for the same. Her fight with cancer inspired many, promulgating her to write a book on the same titled, The World Unseen. The book garnered her much appreciation as a writer and now her next book, a memoir of her journey Close to the Bone is up for release.  This book will be her tell-all-tale about her overall journey.

Lisa Ray was in the city for the launch of RADO watch store. My City Links caught up with the fierce yet radiant diva for an exclusive interview where she talked about her journey and her fight with cancer. Excerpts-

It’s been a tough journey for you? How do you feel about it?

I won’t say tough, rather it has been an interesting journey with many developments. I feel that I have been shaped by different experiences. I am more beautiful for having been broken.

When you learned that you have cancer, multiple thoughts must have come to your mind. How did you take it?

It was complicated, which I have also mentioned in my memoir Close to the Bone. It was an unusual journey because my first reaction was relief. Cancer makes people scared or fearful, but I took it in a different way. I knew something was wrong, as I was ignoring my body for a long time. I was actually trained to ignore my body. So, finally, cancer forced me to stop doing so and change my lifestyle. I actually started to heal myself after cancer came in. Now I deliver a lot of public talks on and about cancer. However, it is true that I live with an incurable cancer, and I am still on medication.

You became an inspiration for many who were facing cancer as a challenge. Your fight with cancer motivated many, and gives them a hope that cancer could be defeated. What would you advise?

It is very healthy that people are now openly speaking about it. It is a big revolution. To be honest, I can’t give advice to anyone. I think it’s an individual journey. All we can do is express love and support, and extend prayers and blessings for them. Everyone has an individual journey to go through, but I think there is much more information and openness today. Now we understand that cancer doesn’t have to mean death. 

 From where do you get strength to fight?

When you touch your potential dear, ironically, it makes you invest more in life, because then you don’t take anything for granted. Every morning, I wake up and remember I would not be here. So I am grateful for everything. Secondly, all those things that bother us usually, don’t matter anymore. I am an optimistic person by nature and I am still curious about life. I have a beginner’s mind. This concept is followed in Buddhism and I have been studying Buddhism for quite some time.You often say that RADO supported you throughout your journey. What sort of support did they give you?

I received unconditional support from RADO and I think that’s precious, especially when you are going through a difficult time. I have been associated with RADO for the last ten years.

 I read somewhere that you want to win the Bookers prize. Are you working on your next book?

Well, I am writing. I am working on my next book. Once this book comes out, I have three more ideas. I want to move ultimately to fiction, as fiction is a great artistry. I also have plans to write a book on cancer, as I think it’s the need of the hour. We can only speak more about it, we can’t speak less about it anymore. Though in my memoir I have mentioned about my fight with cancer, but it is in a lesser detail. I believe there are many things to share about my healing with everyone.

How did writing happen?

I have always been writing, but I never published them. I am proud that now I am able to focus on my writing as it has always been my biggest passion. I always considered myself a writer. I am a Bengali girl, so I was brought up with words and poetry which is in my blood. My acting career, on the other hand, happened just by chance.

You welcomed motherhood with surrogacy. Now you are a mother of two cute twin girls. How is the journey as a mother going on?

It’s amazing. Whenever I am out, I start missing them. They are five months old. Somebody said something really interesting to me that for your girls you don’t need to be a perfect mother. They need a happy mother and I am trying to follow that.

Being a mother, it’s really hard to balance. They are too young to travel with me but later on, they will and I would absolutely love to bring them to India. As a mother we have to juggle and sacrifice. I feel that they brought endless love and joy to my life.

What do you love about exploring different aspects of life with your daughters?

Love is unconditional but we are strangers and getting to know each other. I am starting to understand my girls. They both have distinctive personalities, they are different. I want them to explore and expand, so that they can find their own voices in the world.

 In 2016, your  movie ‘Virapan’ came after you took a small break from acting. Are you planning to come up with any other acting project?

Yes, I have just completed working on AR Rahman’s forth coming movie ’99 Songs’ which will release in 2019. I also did an interesting Amazon series which will also release soon.

Web series are getting more popular by the day. What is your opinion on that?

Yes, indeed. I think that you get interesting scripts when it comes to web series. And the one in which I worked, was an all women series – producer, director, writer, and even the camera was handled by a woman. It was an interesting experience.