Friendship Day: Shiwani Chakraborty on the Uniqueness of Friendship

Actress Shiwani Chakraborty, who is currently seen in the show Maati Se Bandhi Dor, says that her friends will always be special for her. She adds that she is very particular about how she chooses her friends. “Friends are the best part of life. God has made every relationship, and some are said to be made in heaven. But friendship is unique because it’s the only relationship you create for yourself. It's a gift that we get to choose our friends, and choosing the right ones is a very important task. Sometimes we become friends without much thought or judgment, but in this world, it's crucial to be clear about who should be your friend and who shouldn't. It may sound harsh, but it's necessary, especially for emotional people like me,” she says. 

She adds, “You don't need to have a lot of friends; having a bunch of friends is great, but the best friend is always one because ‘best’ is singular. For me, friendship is a bond that can exist with anyone—your mother, sister, brother, or anyone else. Your best friend could be someone from your nursery days to college or even for life. What's essential in a friend is that they don't judge you. Friendship is a beautiful relationship to celebrate.” 

Talking about her best friend, she says, “I have a best friend, Simran Wadhwa, who has been with me since nursery school. We didn't know how it started; maybe we were just sitting together on a bench, sharing something through little gestures. As we grew up, we realized that we were best friends in every situation—school, college, tuition, coaching, and whatever came our way. We were partners in crime in our hometown. Simran's name brings back so many memories, especially since I'm a filmy girl. She's happily married now, living in Bangalore with her family, but those memories of giggling, laughing, teasing, and all the crazy stuff from school remain.” 

She adds, “About ten or twelve years after school, we met again. It was hectic; I remember rushing from a shoot, and she was in Mumbai with her friends. It was raining, but I made sure we met. The same energy, smile, and innocence were still there. There are so many stories from school, but one I’ll share is about a picnic; I even have a picture from it.” She wishes that everyone finds such a good friend. “I wish everyone finds a great best friend, whether in your family, school, or college. I feel blessed to have good friends, not many, but a few who are very close to me. We love each other without judgment or grudges. Happy Friendship Day!” she says.