Aamir Khan's daughter Ira insists direction is her calling, as she debuts with a stage play
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; August 23, 2019)

His choice of films show that Aamir Khan has the sensibilities of a filmmaker. While it remains to be seen if daughter Ira has inherited his acting skills, she certainly shares his passion for filmmaking. The youngster is set to make her directorial debut with a theatre play, Medea, an ancient Greek tragedy written by Euripides, based upon the myth of Jason and Medea. It is scheduled to open in December and will be staged across the country.

"There's no particular reason why I decided to start with theatre. I love the art form. It's magical and all-consuming in its classical form, and in the world of technology. I love the suspension of disbelief that the audience allows for, thus offering the makers to express so much more," says Ira. Interestingly, brother Junaid too had forayed into showbiz with a stage play, Mother Courage and Her Children, in 2017.

The star kid has not been able to escape the attention that comes with the territory, with rumours of her impending acting debut constantly making the rounds. Her recent photo shoot only added fuel to the fire. "I have never considered acting," she emphasises, adding that for now, she is happy with her place behind the scenes. "As far as directing more plays is concerned, I would have to find a story that I want to tell. I don't have fondness for a specific genre. I'm not particularly into horror but other than that, I'm open to all sorts of stories."
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Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; August 23, 2019)

Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira Khan recently grabbed attention when she did a sizzling photoshoot in a red bralette and denim hot pants. She flaunted her washboard abs and belly ring with her hair done in braids. The 21-year-old had posted the picture on social media sparking speculation that she is prepping for her acting debut. But, we have learnt otherwise. The youngster is keener on being behind the cameras than in front of it. And it’s not the big screen that she is looking at, at least for now.

Aamir’s beti is all set to make her directorial debut with a theatre play, Euripides’ Medea, which is a Greek tragedy. The plot centres on the actions of Medea, a former princess of the barbarian kingdom of Colchis, and the wife of Jason; she finds her position in the Greek world threatened as Jason leaves her for the princess of Corinth. Medea takes vengeance on Jason by murdering Jason’s new wife as well as her own children, after which she escapes to Athens to start a new life.

Ira has already commenced work on her directorial venture in full force. The premiere of the play is scheduled in December this year and will be staged in multiple cities across India.

When asked what prompted her to turn towards directing instead of acting, especially, since her photoshoot had got a great response, the newbie said, “It was never really a choice between directing or acting. I’ve always wanted to make the movie rather than be in it. My photo session was for my art. It was a stand-alone shoot with a concept and in order to be true to it, required me to do the shoot myself.”

As for the play, Ira says she liked the original, so she is sticking to it. “The original was staged in 431 BC. I’m pretty sure my version of the play is slightly different in its presentation. To me, theatre brings a sense of majesty to the intimacy and involvement that comes with a great story-telling. That’s the kind of play I hope to direct.”