Thaindian News

May 19, 2010 (Sampurn Wire):If anyone from the West observes how we address our elders around us, they’d be amazed as to how many Aunts and Uncles we have. Indeed, one of the unique things about our culture is that we call each other not by our names, but by the relationships we share. Now that may be something we pride as Indians, but sometimes, as in the case of the gorgeous mother-of-triplets, Farah Khan, it can become the bone of contention.

Though her colleagues may well cherish the titles of ‘Maa’ (read: Geeta Maa) and ‘Dada’, Grand Master Farah wants to stay as far away as she can from the title ‘Aunty’.

Says Ms. Khan, “At first, they were all very formal and scared, but as they kids have been interacting with us for a while now, and have gotten into the Final 16, for some reason they suddenly started calling me Aunty. Now, I may be a mother of three children myself, but I don’t think I’m old enough to be called Aunty (chuckles)!!”

Unlike her contemporaries, it seems Farah is a bit more conscious about such things, and quips that she has told all the kids to call her didi… and not ‘Maa’ or ‘Aunty’ or else she’ll cut their marks.

“Well, of course I’m joking about cutting marks, but seriously, mujhe Aunty mat kehna, haan…”, says the no-nonsense judge.

Well, Farah-ji, whether they call you ‘Maa’ or ‘Aunty’ or ‘Didi’ or ‘M’am’, one thing is for sure, these kids really look up to you.

- Tejashree Bhopatkar / Sampurn Wire