The Indian Weekender, 26 February 2021

16 ENTERTAINMENT
Friday, February 26, 2021 The Indian Weekender
Priyanka is 'a
little bit more
fearless' now
Ayushmann Khurranas film Shubh
Mangal Zyada Saavdhan released a
year ago on this day. The same-sex love
story cast him as a gay person. The Bollywood
actor says it takes time and effort to normalise
Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas says she for as many years as I have. But I'm in a
topics that are prone to be hushed up by society.
is a little more creative and a little more creatively amazing place."
"Taboo topics need to be constantly addressed
fearless, and she wants to hold onto the Priyanka's recent roles have included a
through our cinema because it can really help
feeling while navigating her career in India supporting act in the Hollywood film Isn't It
alter the mindset of people. It takes a lot of
and abroad. Over the years, the actress says, Romantic, starring opposite Farhan Akhtar in
time and effort to normalise taboo subjects and
she has found a certain confidence where she the Bollywood film The Sky Is Pink, playing
bring about constructive changes in society. I'm
wants to take chances, and not stick to what is a prop as Pinky Madam in The White Tiger,
glad that we tried to contribute towards making
"
perceived safe.
I think I am a little bit more
the conversation about same-sex relationships
"I think I am a little bit more fearless. I don't fearless. I don't know if that
in India mainstream through Shubh Mangal
know if that has to do with being exposed to has to do with being exposed
Zyada Saavdhan," Ayushmann said.
global entertainment, but to certain confidence
He added: "If it has had some impact on the
to global entertainment, but
over the years that I have found myself where I
minds of people, then we have done our job."
to certain confidence over the
like to take chances," Priyanka said.
For him, the film was a success story because
years that I have found myself
"Now, I am not sticking to safe. I'm not
Indian families watched the film. "The fact that
where I like to take chances
sticking to 'if this will work in this specific way'.
the film became a success, told me that people
I'm not a hamster on a wheel right now. I'm
with our characters, but I just feel that the story
want to engage and have a conversation on such
feeling creative. I'm feeling free. And feeling besides backing the horror story Evil Eye.
was so relevant," she said.
important subjects.
like I want to do so many things," she added. "When I read it (The White Tiger) 10 years
"The fact that Indian families came out and
The actress continued: "And for the first ago, it stayed with me for a very long time. So,
"It will be relevant till we make massive
watched this film was the biggest success story
time, I have the ability to tell the story and I when I heard that the book was being made, I changes, not just within India, but within
for me because our families can contribute so
can. So I'm actually taking advantage of that. thought I have to be a part of this movie. My countries, in developing economies around the
much to foster a spirit of inclusivity when it
I don't know if that has to do with where I am part is not an integral part of the movie, it's world," added the actress, who is married to
comes to same-sex relationships," he said.
globally or it's just me as a person after working Balram's film technically and his relationship pop star Nick Jonas.
Ayushmann recalled how many people in the
industry advised him not to sign the film.
Ekta Kapoor: In most countries, sexuality of a woman is considered sin
"I was thrilled with the response towards this
film because everyone told me I was doing a
Bollywood Czarina Ekta Kapoor, who sarees and sindoor (on her TV shows). I have
very tricky film and that no one would accept
has successfully tapped the domains somehow stunted the growth of women in this
this kind of cinema. Instead, I was humbled
of film, TV and OTT, says in most country. I don't agree to this because I felt that
with appreciation. The success of this film is
countries, sexuality of a woman is considered a woman in a saree is a choice, as a woman in
in how it was accepted as a commercial film
a sin. It is a conscious decision on her part to a swimsuit," says Ekta.
and how it has hopefully done its job to pave
push strong women-centric stories such as She adds that she has narrated several stories
a path for many other films on such subjects to
Lipstick Under My Burkha, The Dirty Picture of "conservative women" with "household
be made."
and Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitaare, issues", and now it is time to tell stories of
"I have always wanted to reach out and have
she adds. "It is a conscious decision. In most
of the countries, the sexuality of a woman is
considered as sin. That's a big problem and I
was told many times that I was a big part of
that journey -- by showcasing women wearing
women who have "other issues".
"I have told several stories of conservative
women who have household issues, now it's
time I tell stories of women who have other
issues. Every woman in different stages of
their life have choices and it's their choice.
They don't become good or bad by any of their
choices," she sums up.
a conversation with people about the subjects
that I have addressed through my movies. I will
continue doing that because it satiates me as
an artiste and motivates me to discover more
subjects like these," he concluded.
For Indian female actors, 40 is the new 20
A
significant
sign that the Indian film
industry is evolving is the fact that
storytellers are coming up with scripts
that have 40-plus actresses as leading ladies,
in films, OTT space as well as the television
screen. Here's looking at popular stories that
capture tales of womanhood in all its maturity.
Supriya Pilgaonkar in Janani
Sushmita Sen in Aarya
has yet to begin, the story explores the relation
of a mother-daughter duo. Actress Alia Bhatt
will be seen essaying the role of Shefali's onscreen
daughter.
Kajol and Tanvi Azmi in
Tribhanga
AYUSHMANN:
Taboo topics need
to be addressed
through cinema
Actress Suchita Trivedi came back to the
limelight with Indiawaali Maa. Her character,
of a mother trying to win back the affection
of her son living in London, was high on
emotional quotient.
Rupali Ganguly in Anupamaa
Supriya will soon be seen in the TV show
Janani, which tells the story of a woman who
is widowed, and faces the harsh realities of the
world with a new perspective. She returns to
television with the show, as a woman who faces
a sudden jolt in life. The show explores various
emotions of the woman who was otherwise
accustomed to a simple, secure way of living.
The first season of the web series was
appreciated immensely, and Sushmita is
gearing up to return on season two of the
crime thriller drama. "We always end up doing
things differently. Especially at my age, I am
able to wholly grasp the value of doing things
differently," she had told IANS earlier.
Shefali Shah in Darlings
The Shah Rukh Khan film production will
hit the screen later this year. While the shooting
This trilingual film, which recently dropped
in the OTT space, has three generations of
women in a family, played by Tanvi Azmi,
Kajol and Mithila Palkar. The story revolves
around Kajol's character, a celebrated actress,
discovering many truths about her estranged
mother, an author, after the latter slips into a
coma.
Suchita Trivedi in Indiawaali Maa
The actress is loved by the television viewing
audience as the titular character in the show.
Her simple, adjusting nature on screen has
made Anupamaa a much-loved character.