Riddhi Doshi

After painting, it’s pottery that has caught every actor’s fancy. Dia Mirza, Mandira Bedi, Sameer Soni and Ahana Deol are trying their hands at the art.

All of them have enrolled for pottery classes at ‘Earth to Fire’, a pottery studio in Bandra owned by Anupama Pant and Archana Dabhoiwala.

Even veterans like Salma Khan and Helen have joined the bandwagon.

Anupama explains, “Pottery is definitely therapeutic. While you are moulding the clay you tend to forget everything and just concentrate on your clay. It is destressing and hence celebrities who lead a very hectic life are completely enjoying the experience.”

At the pottery class, Mandira Bedi is trying her hand at making and painting small tiles for her home.

“I have discovered pottery. It is so therapeutic; the pleasure of crafting something with your hands is so great. I am now making tiles and painting them for our home that I am making,” says Mandira.

Dia Mirza seems to be enjoying pottery so much that even when her hand was in the cast she wouldn’t give a miss to her classes. She had fractured her hand recently.

“I am playing a potter in my next film ‘Ali Baug’ and hence it was imperative for me to learn the art. After I picked up the basics I completely fell in love with it.”

She adds, “Pottery is like meditation. The feeling of being close to nature is beautiful. To experience mitti in your hand and creating something out of nothing is amazing. I paint also but I am more possessive about my pottery pieces than my paintings. I love it.”

Archana adds “With a cast in one hand, Dia had made a few bowls and carved designs on them. She did a real good job.”

Sameer Soni has made a mug which he has gifted to his teacher at the pottery class.

But Salman Khan’s mothers Salma Khan and Helen beat all the aspiring young potters. They are learning the art for a while now and make it a point to attend their classes regularly. Both Salma and Helen attend the class together at the same time. In spite of the fact that usually all other students prefer to be alone in the class.

“They work with clay as well as ceramics. I am very sure that all our celebrity clients have a nice time in the studio,” says Archana, adding, “Salma recently made a lovely doll out of clay and has even carved on the same. Helen completed another clay idol and took it home.”