Kiran Bedi: ‘Fortunate to meet people who share how I unknowingly mentored them’

Following a 2018 documentary, a biopic is being made on you. How does it feel, and in what ways will it be different from Kiran Bedi: Yes Madam, Sir?

Kiran Bedi: It feels great. I feel mentally prepared to share my life story now. Unlike the previous biopic produced by an Australian, this new film will offer a homegrown Indian perspective, making it more contextual. As a full-feature film, it will capture my story more comprehensively. The earlier documentary was episodic, reflecting the producer’s intermittent visits and focusing on challenges of her limited schedule.

You made headlines from 1972 to 2007; but in all these years, what has been your most significant achievement — personally and professionally?

Kiran Bedi: I invested my energy and effort into everything I did. Each posting added value, transitioning from the status quo to changes relevant to the times. I led parallel lives in policing and community service through my two NGOs, now nearing four decades of operation. Seeing beneficiaries become community leaders is immensely fulfilling. Professionally, I enforced the law, and through volunteering, I empowered communities. Both roles have been deeply satisfying.

A lot about your life is in the public domain already. What new will the biopic offer?

Kiran Bedi: While you may know about my postings and the conflicts that made headlines, the biopic will reveal the “behind-the-scenes efforts” of each transformation. It will highlight the struggles I faced to drive change and answer the whys and hows of my triumphs and tribulations.

 

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You inspired many women to chase and realise their dreams. In all these years, do you remember any incident of anyone coming up to you to share how you unknowingly mentored them?

Kiran Bedi: I am fortunate to meet people daily who share their stories of how I unknowingly mentored them. The director of this biopic aims to give back to society by sharing the learning and experiences from my service spanning over four decades.

Before working as an IPS officer, you were a tennis player — both of which require you to be physically fit. What does your exercise routine entail, and how has it changed over the years?

Kiran Bedi: Fitness is a daily regimen for me. I earn my hunger for food through this routine. While I no longer play tennis daily, I regularly practice yoga, and I swim and walk.

What about your diet?

Kiran Bedi: My diet is simple yet nutritious, with no extra or excess. It is a weight-managed diet.

Kiran Bedi at a book signing event in Mumbai. (Express archive photo by Vinayaka Prabhu)

While we talk about health, we often miss out on the importance of prioritising mental health. How did you manage it in high-pressure jobs and situations?

Kiran Bedi: My parents’ teachings helped me maintain my sanity through high-pressure jobs and challenges. My father’s saying that life is an incline, and my mother’s emphasis on being a giver, guided me. Today, my fitness regimen, combined with my habits of reading, writing, speaking, and researching for speaking engagements, keeps me mentally active. The results of my work give me immense inner happiness.

If you had the choice, who would you like to play you on screen?

Kiran Bedi: We have a very talented set of actors. I trust my director to identify the most suitable actor for the role.

What has been your biggest learning in life?

Kiran Bedi: Time flies. Everything is transient. The only thing we control is what we do with what is before us and in our hands. Hence, I own every aspect of my life fully.

One experience you credit for shaping your life forever.

Kiran Bedi: Liberation lies in giving and sharing. This film is about gratitude with reality checks. I hope each viewer finds something to learn from my self-driven life. We all possess innate strengths; we just need to discover and hone them daily.