Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar has directed only five films since she made her directorial debut in 2002 with Filhaal and yet she has managed to make a name for herself in the industry. Riding high on the success of her last release the Alia Bhatt starrer Raazi that entered the coveted Rs 100 crore club and managed to break the stereotype that a woman-centric film will not be able to rake in the moolah at the box office. Meghna in a candid interview opened up about her illustrious parents Rakhee and Gulzar and the fact that she feels proud to be born to her parents who gave her the freedom to follow her dreams.

The Raazi director shared that the lessons of life that she learned from her parents have helped her in her personal and professional life. Speaking about her mother, acclaimed and veteran actress Rakhee, Meghana told a leading daily, “My mother has lived her professional and personal life with tremendous dignity and grace. I try to do that every day of my life.” She further said that she has never given her family members any cause to feel ashamed of her.

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Speaking about her acclaimed and revered father, director-lyricist Gulzar, she said, “My father, in his films and writing, and in life, is a very simple and subtle person. There is a dialogue from Ijaazat (1987 which was directed by Gulzar) that says something like ‘jo sach hai aur sahi hai, wahi karo’.”

Meghna is a progeny of parents belonging to different cultures and backgrounds. Her mother is a Bengali whereas her father Gulzar is a Punjabi whose real name is Sampooran Singh Kalra. Meghna was asked about how much Bengali or a Punjabi is she as she comes from a mixed background. Meghna remarked that since her in-laws' house is in Punjab so ironically, it has renewed her Punjabi links from there. However, the Bengali influence in her life has been stronger as she lived with her mother’s family in a joint family after her parents separated.

The renowned filmmaker revealed details about her growing up years and the Bengali influence in her life, “My grandparents did not know Hindi and English, and I had to speak to them in Bengali. So, I had to learn Bengali to communicate with them, and I am also aware of the culture and practices. I have grown up in a Bengali household but I love Punjabi food, and I don’t eat fish.”