Ssujata Mehta: There is no domination, or clinging-on in friendship

Actress Ssujata Mehta who has been part of popular projects like Shrikant, Khandaan, Ye Meri Life Hai, Kyaa Hoga Nimmo Kaa and Saraswatichandra, says that when it comes to friendship, there must be no obligation or inequality between the parties. She adds that people must give each other ample space to form a healthy relationship.
 
“In my view, friendship is about giving each other space. It's a kind of relationship that shouldn't involve domination or clinging to each other. It's important to give each other space and support each other in both good and bad times. That's what friendship means to me,” she says.

Talking about her friend, she says, “What makes my friendship with my friend Niloufer Patel special is that we live in the same building and have been friends since childhood. While I have had best friends from different stages of my life—like from school and college—my connection with her is unique because we grew up together. She attended Queen Mary's, and I went to SVM school, so our schools were different. However, we shared a common connection through our society, Devchaya, where we still live in the same building.”

She adds, “Our mothers were close too; her mother, Nagish Patel, and my mother, Rekha Mehta, often chatted with each other. When Niloufer wasn't around, I would spend time with her mother, and she would do the same with mine. We would share meals together and spend time at each other's homes. The special thing about our friendship is that we understand each other without needing constant communication. Even in a group of ten people, a simple glance is enough for us to understand each other.”
Different professions and lives are not in between their friendship, says the actress. “Despite being in different professions—I'm an actor, and she used to work for Cathay Pacific and is now a motivational leader—we share a deep bond. Whether something good or bad happens in my life, I always share it with her. During the COVID lockdown, we even had a sort of common kitchen, cooking together and sharing recipes.”