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The curious case of Kiran Rao
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
Shy, quiet and elusive; if you think you knew Kiran Rao—aka Mrs. Aamir Khan—you couldn’t be more wrong. Vivacious and intelligent, iDiva discovers Kiran’s talkative side
By RUCHIKA VYAS (iDIVA; January 8, 2010)
Born and raised in Kolkata, Kiran’s liberal upbringing led her to imbibe the city’s culture and performing arts. An Economics and Mass Communications graduate, her interest lay in writing—even as she dabbled in acting, painting, photography and music. Love came knocking when Kiran fell for Bollywood’s perfectionist, Aamir Khan on the sets of Lagaan, her first job as an Assistant Director (AD). Excerpts from the interview…
What led to your foray into filmmaking? When I first came to Mumbai, I didn’t know anyone; I knew I needed a job for sustenance. Since I hadn’t watched many films, I didn’t know who to approach for an AD’s job. So I sent a fax to Subhash Ghaiji’s office request to assist him, but it didn’t amount to anything. Then some friends suggested advertising as a good place to begin. So, I worked in different production houses for a year-and-a-half and learnt the trade. Things took a drastic turn when my friend, Reema Kagti (Director of Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.), offered me a job as an AD on Lagaan. It was my first experience of being on a film set and it changed my life completely; the learning was tremendous. I continued working with Ashutosh Gowarikar on Swades and several TV commercials. From there on, I More >
The best part about being Mrs Aamir Khan is that I found love-Kiran Rao
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Interviews
In the build-up to her first movie, director Kiran Rao talks about being a star wife and birthing Dhobi Ghat
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 21, 2010)
Her directorial debut got a standing ovation at the Toronto International Film Festival and the Indian release is two months away. In her office in Khar, Kiran Rao is smiling from ear to ear. So far, shehas only been a quirky accessory to a famous actor. Now is the time to step out of the wings.
Did you always want to be a part of this industry?
I loved acting in school, but there was no connect with films. We weren’t allowed to see too many. I was in drama clubs and liked to write. These two hobbies connected by the time I finished college. By then, I had developed an interest in photography and felt that I should do something with images. I decided to do Masters in Mass Communications to gain direction. There it started to crystallise that my hobbies were art forms which collaged to make cinema.
And then?
I needed to know people, so I started working in commercials. Along the way, my friend Reema Kagti asked if I wanted assist the director on Lagaan.
How did Dhobi Ghat happen?
I wanted to direct a representative of who I am, which helps me find my artistic voice. I started writing it in 2005. Simultaneously, I was working as an associate producer with AK Films. It was quite a journey before I was happy with my script. I didn’t have a preconceived idea, but as it flowed and I shared it More >
Sonakshi’s ex-lover Aditya moves on
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Multiplex owner Aditya Shroff will tie the knot with TV actress Megha Gupta
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 16, 2010)
Shatrughan Sinha’s daughter, Sonakshi Sinha, may have made a grand entry into Bollywood but her ex-boyfriend, Fame Cinemas owner Aditya Shroff, is not licking wounds for sure. Aditya has moved on and is tying the knot with popular TV actress Megha Gupta, who made her debut with Ekta Kapoor’s show Kavyanjali.
Aditya and Megha fell in love this July, and the wedding is slated for December.
Confirming the same, Aditya told Mumbai Mirror, “Megha is a lovely girl. We met through common friends. One thing led to another, soon we were meeting almost every day.”
Megha Gupta and Aditya ShroffWhat we like about Aditya is that he chose not to be coy about what drew him to Megha. “Megha is a very, very attractive girl,” he said rather candidly.
Commenting on Sonakshi, Aditya quipped, “I have forgotten Sonakshi. That is the past.”
While a friend of Aditya said, “Sonakshi behaved rather strangely after coming from an outdoor schedule of Dabangg. She stopped communicating with every member of the Shroff family, whose house she used to frequent almost every day.”
Another source said, “Aditya is 32 years old, while Sonakshi is 22. Aditya was very keen that they should tie the knot soon, but having become a Bollywood heroine, Sonakshi wanted at least six years of enjoying single status. They parted rather amicably.”
No More >
Reclusive Rani
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
CUT OFF: Rani Mukerji
The actress has cut off ties with even her regular contacts now
Meena Iyer | TNN (BOMBAY TIMES; July 12, 2010)
Designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee and filmmaker Karan Johar must thank their stars. Rani Mukerji made a rare appearance at the opening of the designer’s store in the city; and agreed to be on Karan’s show that he hosts for Yash Chopra. Other than that, the actress has cut off all ties with her regular Bollywood contacts and she rarely steps out of her house. Rani is currently shooting for Rajkumar Gupta’s No One Killed Jessica with Vidya Balan. One of her filmmaker friends said, “She goes to the studios only when required. Other than that, she has stopped communicating with all of us. I’ve tried to get her to come out for a movie or have dinner with us but she doesn’t respond.” Though her friends understand that Rani needs her space but they are concerned about her reclusive behaviour. They hope that this is a temporary phase and Rani doesn’t join the ranks of senior actresses like Rekha and Tabu who spend more time behind locked doors than is normal.Rani turns into a recluse?
03 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Rumour has it
A mere shadow of her former effervescent self, Rani Mukerji consciously avoids socialising these days
By Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 09, 2010)Has the fall from stardom resulted in Rani Mukerji becoming a recluse? Sure seems like it as she is no longer the vivacious girl everyone knew and loved. // // //
A source who was earlier close to Rani says, “Rani has stopped communicating with all her friends including Urmila Matondkar, Dia Mirza and Manish Malhotra. She hardly calls them up and at times, she doesn’t even take their calls. Instead, she prefers to spend a lot of time with her niece (Mysha).”
The only person Rani is in touch with from her friend circle is choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant, that too perhaps because she often bumps into Vaibhavi at Yash Raj Films. Vaibhavi regularly works for YRF whose scion Aditya Chopra has been dating Rani for nearly three years.
Why has Rani changed so much? Earlier, she used to attend important social functions particularly hosted by those who mattered to her. But recently, she even skipped Dr RK Agarwal’s daughter’s wedding, and consequently, shocked several of her friends from the industry who expected that she would definitely turn up for the occasion.
“The change in Rani’s behaviour is inexplicable. Her friends want her to be the old Rani again but all she wants is to be left alone. She has become a very, very private person,” adds the source.
Manish said, “I meet Rani. More >