A rendezvous with Jasmine Postwalla.

Jasmine -blooms!

Just like the way Jasmine - the flower takes time to bloom, is the same
way it takes time to pin Jasmine - the presenter for an interview! But
when you have finally pinned her down, it is worth the wait. Jasmine
speaks her mind. I would say she is an interviewee's delight. She tells
you what you want to hear - Perfect lines for each question. Read on...

Q. We know you as Jasmine - the presenter. But tell us, who Jasmine
really is?
Jasmine is filmi… very filmi. I love Bollywood and everything to do with
Hindi films. I come out strongly as an extrovert, but deep
in the heart, I’m not very outgoing. It takes me a lot of time before I
open up to someone. I have to know a person well before I make friends.

Q. You have been named after the flower jasmine...
Yes! I love my name. Jasmine flowers are my favorite. Being Jasmine, if I can spread even 1% of jasmine fragrance in someone's
life, then my name's worth it. I’m thankful to my parents for calling me
Jasmine, and not "Bubbly" or "Chutki"!

Q. Ok. So, tell me more about yourself. Your likes and dislikes…
My mouth waters at the mention of "Chineese" [She means Chineese food,
not Chineese hunks!]. Blue and black are my all time favorite colours. I
love dancing but am a very bad singer. Shah Rukh Khan is god to me! He
is absolutely gorgeous… in fact, gorgeous is an understatement, I think
he is extremely sexy!

Q. And your dislikes…
First of all, I hate people who use other people for their personal
benefit and then dump them. I despise
them to the gut. [Ok, she hates the “matlabi” sort of people.] Secondly, I get ticked off by liars!

Q. But it’s not that no one lies. Am sure even you lie, don’t you?
Of course, I do lie at times. A white lie, where no
harm is meant, is fine. But I wouldn’t lie to hurt someone.
Anyway, I think its always better to be up front and honest because honesty is truly the best policy. Never mind if that sounds too cliched.

Q. Let’s move on. Tell me, how did East FM happen?
Sometimes things happen to you when you least expect them to. I was a flight attendant with Dhamani Airlines. Bina Patel and Raj Singh, who were then directors at East FM, [Bina Patel still is] were on a trip to India, in search of radio presenters for East FM. I made an in-flight announcement and they liked my voice. Later on, they approached me with their offer, and as soon as my contract with the airline expired, I came to Kenya and took up the job! Rest as they say, is history. I was happy, because even my husband was here at that time… it all worked out well for me.

Q. Talking of your husband, where and when did you meet him?
[Again, she laughs as she recalls a funny incident] My husband was my
best friend. I was in love with his cousin and would always confide in
him. Whatever problems I encountered in my love life at that time, I
would always find my husband’s shoulder to cry on… because he was my
best friend. Likewise, I was there for him during his tough times with his girl friend. As time flew by, we realized that both of us had the qualities we
desired in our mates … and we hooked up. We dated for seven years before
we got married. Our friendship miraculously grew into love, am so lucky to have a dear friend as a life partner. And that’s
the most beautiful thing to happen in my life.

Q. Do you consider yourself as the woman of today? You know, the modern
woman?
Absolutely, I am the woman of today. But there are limitations to that. I mean,
a new hip-hop kind of a song is ok for me. But that doesn’t really have
to be in a “chaddi”. I believe that we can be modern, but that doesn’t
mean we let go of our culture, forget our roots and disrespect our
elders.

Q. Being the modern woman, do you think it is ok for a woman to make the
first move on her man?
Yeah! Why not? I mean, if we treat all men and women as equal, then what
is wrong with a woman making the first move? I did that! Life is too
short to keep waiting for a man to make a move…if you love someone, it
is better to go out in the open and propose to him. If you think your
love is genuine, go ahead and reveal it. The worst to happen is
rejection, but one rejection is better than a hundred years of building
false hopes!

Q. According to you, what is more important – the physical aspect
of a relationship or the companionship?
Well, I think for a perfect relationship you need both of these in an
equal dosage. A woman needs company and comfort in the right
proportions. If one or the other is not in balance, then there is a
problem.

Q. How accepting would you be, if you knew that your man had a one night
stand?
If he would have no qualms about me sticking up somewhere for a one
night stand, then neither would I!

Q. What do you treasure the most?
Memories of my childhood - with my parents and friends. I really miss my
childhood. I was a naughty kid. We have played all sorts of pranks on
people – from lighting a firecracker in a man’s dhoti to applying
Fevicol on our teacher’s seat! One day, a friend of mine was sleeping. I
ganged up with the rest of my friends and stitched her blanket to the
mattress…poor soul, she woke up only to realize that she couldn’t get up! My
childhood was very fun-filled… with memories which I will cherish
forever.

Q. If I flip through your personal journal, what or who would I find
written about the most?
A friend. [Huh? Just that? I try to budge her, but she won’t reveal
anything more than that]. I only resort to my diary when am sad, so
whatever stuff you will read is going to be all emotional and very
personal. [And that’s it].

Q. What is the best compliment you have ever received?
It was from Shobha De. I had helped her when I was working for an
airline company. She was so grateful that she wrote about me in Mid Day,
Mumbai’s highly read tabloid. I don’t remember her exact words, but it
felt really nice to be written about in a leading tabloid. My father was
so excited, he showed that article to all our neighbours and relatives!

Q. Has motherhood changed you?
Oh yes, it has. It has made me more patient. Well, that goes without
saying. But am really thankful to God that my daughter Jehana, is a dream child.
Of course, she cries and fusses like normal babies do, but not once has
she woken up in the middle of the night crying or demanding attention.

Q. What’s your motto in life?
To enjoy each and every moment of life as it comes. We take life for
granted and only realize its worth when we get a jolt. I believe that
life is precious, and we must appreciate it as well as enjoy! Kya pata,
kal ho na ho…[here goes Shah Rukh again!]

Q. Is there anything that you regret the most?
Yes. I regret not spending enough time with my parents. My mother passed
away when I was just fourteen, a crucial time in a girl’s life.

Q. If God gave you one chance to fulfill you one wish, what would it be?
I would wish to remain healthy forever. No sickness, please God! I have
seen many people close to me die of sickness. The saying health is
wealth is very true.

Q. What would be a perfect day in Jasmine’s life?
A day well-spent with Shah Rukh Khan…he is so – oh no, wait… not Shah
Rukh Khan, its got to be Ajay Devgan – he
is so sexy. I love his eyes, they are just too sexy. He could gaze deep
into your eyes and take you for a roller coaster ride, without even
touching you….

[Oh yeah, dream on… Bollywood, that’s Jasmine for you! Fan No. 1! Funny,
talkative, sensitive and very emotional…]

Hope you enjoyed this interview. Please do e-mail me your comments,
compliments and suggestions. E-mail : Javed