Senior actor and animal activist, Jaya Bhattacharya stands out as an authentic and bold voice in the superficial world of gloss and glitz.
The veteran TV and film actor, who has appeared in classic series like Kyunkii Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and films like Devdas, Lajja, and Fiza, is very different from the characters she has portrayed on screen. She leads a simple life that is rooted in purpose, being centered and mindful eating. When the outward chaos becomes too much to bear, she turns inwards with energy healing. Jaya runs her own NGO ‘Thank You Earth’, where she rescues and cares for critically injured and abandoned animals. At her shelter, she cares for 38 dogs and cats, many of them incapacitated. In a free-wheeling conversation, Jaya talks about finding peace, strength and resilience amidst all the noise. Edited excerpts.
Acting can be quite demanding- long hours, stress, irregular schedules. How do you personally take care of your health and well-being amidst such a hectic lifestyle?
I am one of those who aren’t affected by what’s happening outside. I have been like this right from day one. This innate nature, my food habits and my approach towards life have helped me navigate long hours, demanding shooting schedules, trolling…everything.
Many people look up to celebrities for fitness inspiration. What does a typical day in your health and wellness routine look like?
I am not into any exercise. I want to get there but I need to find the time for it. Being in animal welfare, I am handling critical cases till wee hours of the morning often. I come back, get some sleep and again get back to work. A few years back, a dietitian had taught me a certain way of walking which helps you get back in shape, shed those extra calories. So whenever I feel the need and find time, I do that in my corridor. Also, when I wake up, I first touch Mother Earth, express gratitude for taking on my burden and hug myself.
Do you follow any specific diet or mindful eating practices that help you stay energetic and focused?
Since my childhood, I have been a frugal eater with mindful eating habits. I have never followed any fad diets or chased superfoods. Once on a set, a colleague made me taste quinoa, I had a spoonful and said, “Thank you but never again.” I eat simple home-cooked meals, no junk, no fried food. Carry my water bottle everywhere. One thing that I need when I wake up is my bread and butter after which I will have dry fruits, fruits but my first meal will have to be bread and butter. I can’t do without it. Once while working on a TV serial, I developed severe acidity issues and since then, I developed this habit of eating every four hours. Those don’t need to be big meals. It can be a handful of dry fruits, a fruit, a toast anything that has been prepared at home. I carry my lunch to the set, always.
What is your go-to way of de-stressing when life feels overwhelming?
I learnt energy healing a few years ago. I do that myself or go to my teacher. I feel centered and grounded. Energy healing has transformed my personality. I was not approachable earlier but when I healed my inner child, I changed. I am more accessible now. After a day of intense work related to animal welfare, intense shoot schedules, I do energy healing. Another thing, like I said, I don’t let the outer world affect me. It’s easier said than done but I have worked towards it.
You have a powerful voice. Very few people have the courage to speak the way you do.
Yes, I can’t see anything unfair unjust happen in front of my eyes. And it’s not restricted to animals. If I see a stranger in distress, I will go out to help him. Once an 18-19-year-old boy was being beaten by an older man and there was blood trickling down his nose and head. There were people quietly watching them. I immediately dialed 100 and then barged in. Somehow stopped the fight. I was going for a meeting but got involved in this. Amidst all this, my sandals broke. Went to a market, bought another pair of shoes and went for my meeting. Years ago, I lost a very dear friend who had so many dreams. He was married, had children. How he died really affected me. Those were one of the darkest hours that also taught me to sustain myself. I am someone who looks for solutions. I am a problem solver. If I fall, I have to get up myself because there’s nobody else who can help me, and I don’t want that dependence either. Having faced everything on my own has made me a very strong person.
As someone who has been in the industry for decades, what is your philosophy on aging gracefully in the public eye? There are many fans who admire your natural aura and authenticity.
I take pride in the fact that I have been on this earth for 54 years. I own my age. I wear make-up in TV shows but personally I don’t wear make-up nor do I endorse it. I love the way I look without make-up and don’t feel the need to change it. I also don’t have the inclination nor the time to sit in salons for hours. If I find time, I make and apply a lot of ubtans at home. I grew up in Lucknow where my neighbour’s daughter used to make a lot of ubtans at home and that’s how my affinity for these home-remedies for skincare began.
You are deeply involved in animal welfare. Has your bond with animals influenced your own wellness—physically, mentally, or spiritually?
Yes, it has enriched my life and made me more grounded. I am not dependent on things for leading a good life. The ability to help someone gives me so much peace. I feel blessed.
Quick shots
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up
I cleanse my aura to release all the negativity while going to sleep and when I wake up, I fill it with positive energy for a new day.
All-time favourite food
Bread and butter. Nobody messes with it. Also, we love making dals with moringa and suran.
Your source of entertainment
I rarely watch TV. We have an open space. So I love to sit outside after coming back from work. I eat outside also. We have a night jasmine tree that blooms at night. With my 6 dogs, I sit there and relax. What more entertainment does one need?
Any social media routine
I get into social media only for awareness stuff. I have not learned the art of making money out of social media. I am not addicted to it. I try to educate people to impart basic knowledge.
Your future health goal
To start exercising.
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