Simi was well aware of Jayalalithaa’s temperament.
Inviting Jayalalithaa for an interview has always been like holding a double edged sword as any attempts made by the host to corner the guest would result in her losing temperament and ending the show with a few words that could reverberate a thousand meanings. The best example for this was the BBC Interview hosted by Karan Thapar, which Jayalalithaa concluded saying “It wasn’t a pleasure talking to you!”
But if somebody wants to know what Jayalalithaa the actor-turned-politician really was, it is worth referring to the interview conducted by the actress-turned-talk show host Simi Garewal, who featured Jayalalithaa in her televised show Rendezvous back in 1999.
The interview showcases a different Jayalalithaa, very relaxed and more importantly ready to let her mind reveal some of the emotions and secrets that were kept within its chambers for far too many years. All credits go to Simi Garewal as she was able to put Jayalalithaa in her comfort zone as soon as she started the interview.
During the interview, Jayalalithaa speaks about her childhood, a career as an actress and her later entry into politics, and also about the ups and downs which according to her made the stronger Jayalalithaa of the later days. She even sings a few lines of her favorite Hindi song along with Simi.
At the end of the interview in which Jayalalithaa talks about how she feels about not being married, the late Chief Minister admits that she has never been open to any other interviewer and appreciated Simi for her wonderful interviewing skills.
Talking to the Indian Express after the announcement of the demise of Jayalalithaa Simi said:“Jayalalithaaji had seen the previous seasons of my show and she had liked it. Therefore, getting her to be a part of the show was not difficult. She was an amazing person. She didn’t shy away from answering any of my questions.”
Simi who was aware of the temperament of Jayalalithaa was well prepared ahead of the interview and didn’t want anything to go wrong.
“The year was 1999. My impression of Jayalalithaa was confined to what I had read about her in the media. I was warned she could be imperious and difficult. Even temperamental. So I went to Chennai armed with some apprehension but also the fascination for a woman who held her own in the patriarchal politics of the South.The reality of meeting and talking to Jayalalithaaji was something I could not have anticipated. The media had tried to analyze her as a politician and I felt it was far more important to try and understand her first as a human being,” narrated Simi to Indian Express.
In the course of the interview, Jayalalithaa speaks eloquently about her childhood days and how she missed her mother during those days. Jayalalithaa who otherwise keep emotions to herself could be seen ready to let it loose.
It was during this interview that Jayalithaaa said that she is not disappointed for not having married. Jayalalithaa said that she has never felt the need for a family and doesn’t regret for having taken the decision to stay single.
She also spoke about the difficult times in her life before and after becoming a politician. She recalled in the interview the incident when DMK workers attacked her inside the Assembly which forced her to take a vow not to step again in the assembly premises until she becomes the CM.
She also spoke about her relationship with Shashikala, her conscience keeper and also rubbished the reports about corruption saying that cases will not stand in the court as they were politically motivated.
Jayalalithaa also spoke about her teenage crushes and hummed the song ‘Aa Jaa Sanam Madhur Chandni’ on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal.
When Simi Garewal asks Jayalalithaa, “How is it that you’ve never shown fear or anger or any other emotion?” Jayalalithaa, the Amma of Tamil people said, “Yes, of course, I’m human like everyone else. I do experience emotions and I wouldn’t be normal if I didn’t experience feelings of anger and other emotions but when you are a leader, you learn to control your emotions. You learn not to show them openly, you have to.”
Videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzqLo_1SPZg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf2bU9xD-3E