Today, our editorial team talks to esteemed author Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta, who is the author of bestsellers such as ‘Rescript Your Life’, ‘The Stranger In the Mirror’ and ‘Sanjeev Kumar: The Actor We All Loved. ” During the interview, we delved into the fascinating journey behind her writing process, the inspirations that fuel her creativity, and the living tapestry of stories she masterfully creates.
Read the full interview:
TechGraph: In your book Sanjeev Kumar: The Actor We All Loved, you delve into the life and career of the legendary actor. What inspired you to write about Sanjeev Kumar and what do you hope readers will learn from this book?
Rita Ramamurthy Gupta: There is always something to learn from the life of a successful person. Despite suffering his first heart attack at the age of 36 and knowing he was facing an early death, he continued to push himself to deliver brilliant performances.
His life—from humble beginnings to superstardom—is testimony that we can all reshape our lives through sheer force of will. The other personal reason for writing his book was that I grew up listening to my father sing “Thande thande paani se nahana chahiye”.
TechGraph: Sanjeev Kumar is known for his versatile performances and for portraying a wide range of characters. How did you approach capturing the essence of his acting style and influence on the Indian film industry in your book?
Rita Ramamurthy Gupta: I felt the blessings of Sanjeev Kumar while writing the book. His goodwill was so immense that even forty years after his death, his friends reached out to offer their memories, photos and their support and admiration for the man. Along the way, I was able to glimpse his genius, his preparation for every role, and his humility and simplicity as a person.
TechGraph: Sanjeev Kumar’s personal life has often been shrouded in mystery. How did you deal with the challenge of balancing his private life with his public persona while researching the book?
Rita Ramamurthy Gupta: I want to start by acknowledging his family for all their support. They wanted to publish an honest book and were extremely open and supportive.
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They gave me a base of Sanjeev Kumar’s habits, routines and personality upon which I was able to build a layer of anecdotes and evidence.
I also managed to prepare over 1200 interviews and articles in multiple languages which helped me understand Sanjeev Kumar’s own language. I paid special tribute to the journalists of the 1960s and 1970s, without whose work my book would not be what it is today.
TechGraph: You also wrote a book titled “Rescript Your Life: Awaken the Power Within” that deals with self-realization and transformation. Can you tell us more about the main message of this book and what inspired you to explore this topic?
Rita Ramamurthy Gupta: “You become what you believe, not what you want” was the message of the book. Sanjeev Kumar believed in his talent. Fate brings him face to face with Jamnadaji, his lifelong manager who also believes in his talent. It wasn’t just “I want.” Sanjiv Kumar backed his intention with action, faith and determination.
TechGraph: The concept of “rewriting” implies the ability to rewrite our life stories. How do you guide readers in reshaping their narratives, and what practical steps or exercises do you recommend to begin this process of transformation?
Rita Ramamurthy Gupta: The way is meditation and I recommend it very highly. It helps you go through the five steps I describe in my book:
Connect to your source: Your soul knows that you have greatness within you, even though your mind may not. Your soul is excited by the idea of expanding and removing any limitations. This in itself is a type of mindfulness – where you become more connected to the present moment and increase your full awareness of your inner and outer experiences.
Refuse to be ordinary: You are expected to live a life that everyone can understand. You have been programmed to believe that you do not possess the wisdom or ability to manifest the full extent of your potential and your desires. Begin to actively challenge these unserving thoughts and beliefs
Activate your imagination: As the Creator created you, so you create your future. And you depend on one thing above all – your imagination. Within your magical inner realm is the ability to live the life of your dreams, the life that should bring you to the full extent of your abilities.
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Control your emotions: Learn how to consciously develop your intelligence. Practice tuning in to how your body feels and noticing areas of tension or stress. Increase your overall conscious experience by becoming more aware of your bodily responses to thoughts, feelings and events. Constantly challenge your knowledge and assumptions.
Find your values: Having a clear sense of what is most important to you allows you to start a small battle that matters to you and therefore overcome apathy and indifference. You live beyond your ego and find something that is beyond your good; the good of all.
TechGraph: Could you share some examples of anecdotes from your book Rescript Your Life that illustrate the profound impact rescripting has had on people who have successfully adopted the practice?
Rita Ramamurthy Gupta: Rescript Your Life, the first edition had no anecdotes; he was talking about the philosophy we should adopt called THECO (the chosen one) as opposed to AIGE (am I good enough). In the second edition of the book, we will look at many examples. However, just to share a very current example, there is Cristiano Ronaldo.
Born to an alcoholic father and a mother who starved to feed him, Ronaldo set unimaginable standards in sports and fitness. He had inspired many to play the game and elevated his nation to a powerhouse in world football. He is a living example of how one can reshape one’s life with determination, hard work, focus and consistency.
TechGraph: Often personal growth books touch on similar topics. How does Rescript Your Life differ from other self-help books, and what unique insights or perspectives does it offer readers?
Rita Ramamurthy Gupta: Yes, but as water flows to every house through a system of faucets, every self-help book flows to those who resonate with this philosophy and are ready to embrace it. There is no attempt to be different because the root of religion and philosophy is the same. I’m just reminding you that being unkind to yourself is a form of violence.
TechGraph: Throughout your writing career, you’ve explored a variety of topics, from biography to self-development. How do you approach the research and writing process differently for each genre, and what challenges or rewards do you find in researching such diverse topics?
Rita Ramamurthy Gupta: It looks different, but in my heart it’s all the same. I write stories of people who have changed their lives and the lives of others. Biographies illustrate philosophy in different ways.
TechGraph: Your books have received wide acclaim from readers. How do you feel about the positive reception and impact your work has had on people’s lives?
Rita Ramamurthy Gupta: Impact is the gift. I offer guided meditation and life coaching to many people. It makes me come alive. I follow the path of the Upanishads – the great works do not even have an author; they are so selfless. I am here to serve people and shed light on the depths of awareness that they are unable to do on their own.
TechGraph: Finally, what can we expect from your future projects? Are there particular themes or subjects you’re looking forward to exploring in your upcoming books?
Rita Ramamurthy Gupta: My next book covers the life of the legendary Savitribai Phule, India’s first teacher. Next will come Rescript Your Life 2.0. Also in the works is a business biography and historical. I am grateful to my publisher Harper Collins for supporting my chosen topics.
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