As her directorial venture Pinni drops today, Tahira Kashyap hopes to break stereotypes about homemakers with a short film inspired by Ayushmann Khurrana's mom
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 19, 2020)

When it came to her short film Pinni, Tahira Kashyap did not have to look too far for inspiration — the director, who uses her voice to bring women's stories to the fore, says the Neena Gupta starrer is inspired by her mother-in-law Poonam Khurrana.

"I have observed my mother-in-law for several years. She has been making pinnis [Punjabi laddoos] for the family for years. While Ayushmann likes pinnis made from wheat flour, I prefer the gluten-free ones. My mother-in-law is so sweet that she makes different kinds for different family members," she grins. While the idea for the Guneet Monga-produced film came from her mother-in-law's devotion to her family, Kashyap wove a fictional story around it. "The film is based on my observation that homemakers are often restricted to a stereotype. Despite being intelligent, they are not allowed to take decisions. With Pinni, I wanted to break these stereotypes."

Like her, husband Ayushmann Khurrana too challenges the status quo with his offerings. Ask her if a collaboration with hubby dearest is on the cards, and she says, "I would love to work with him. Ayushmann is my senior in terms of work. So, I need to prove myself before I approach him. Currently, I am obsessed with telling women's stories. The day I write from a man's perspective, I will approach him."