As Ira Khan gets ready to debut as a director with her first play, she tells us why her father hasn't influenced her consciously, and how she literally doesn't know any of the other star kids
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; November 12, 2019)

She's 21, but looks 16. But other than that, Aamir Khan's daughter, Ira Khan, comes across as knowing her mind well. Though she says she is super shy, she is confident about her skill set, which is right now being put to use to direct a play. Her debut production, the Greek tragedy Medea, written by Euripides, starring Hazel Keech, will premiere in December. The story of a scorned woman who kills her husband's second wife and her own kids to spite him could seem dark to a youngster, but Khan feels she needed to do it, because the innate fight between doing what we want, and doing what is right, is a dilemma everyone grapples with every day. We sat with her over coffee and chatted about the play, her talented father, and her love for a good story.

It's a dark play. Why did it connect with you?
I think there is a lesson there that Euripides is trying to give us, but I won't tell you what it is! You have to watch the play for that. I also think that Medea deals with a very real concern we all have - to do what is right, and what we want to do. It's also relevant — especially since it's a monologue about the responsibility we have towards our kids; we don't even know if they will turn out all right! I don't want to have kids after reading that. I just love a good story. Growing up, I used to spend time with adults, because I wanted to listen to the stories they told me, especially my grandfather.

How did you make sure everyone took you seriously as you directed them?
I didn't have to try too hard; my actors were very good to me. They listened as much as I needed them to. I do have this habit of talking in a baby voice — sometimes it's intentional, sometimes it just happens. So I told myself, "Don't do that!"

What has your father taught you about the movies?
I don't think I have learnt anything from him consciously. Unconsciously, of course. Both my parents have left us to do what we want - when we need any input, we ask for it. So if I ask dad something, he will tell me what he feels.

You're unlike the typical star kid...
I literally don't know any of them. So I have no clue how they are. I know Alizeh Agnihotri, who is Salman's [Khan] niece. I have also hung out with Sarah Tendulkar twice, and though we had a good time, we haven't stayed in touch. I don't think she remembers me. I have played chess with Arjun Tendulkar, and I know he doesn't remember that!

Harshada Rege (DNA; May 25, 2017)

Whether or not you are a cricket fan, every Indian has grown up watching Sachin Tendulkar play for the country and hearing stories of his dedication towards the sport. And while his life has played out in the public domain, he has managed to guard his private life. Fans have always wanted to know more about the god of cricket, and that became a reality when a movie — Sachin: A Billion Dreams — on his life was announced.

However, unlike taking the tried-and-tested biopic route, this movie will see the cricketer taking the audience through his life. The Master Blaster, who has been interacting with media to promote the movie that releases tomorrow, is looking forward to taking a break with his family. Late in the night, I spoke to him over the phone about cricket, his family, movies, music and more. Excerpts from the chat:

You’re no stranger to high-pressure situations. While this one may not quite compare, how do you feel now that the movie is up for release?
It’s a different feeling, obviously. But we know that we have put in a lot of hard work. From our end, we’ve ticked all the boxes. That’s what I used to do even when I played cricket. Pre-match, nobody can guarantee the result, but as long as I was able to tick all the boxes for pre-match preparations, it was okay with me. And that is the feeling right now.

Sachin fans don’t need a reason to watch the movie, what would be the reason for a non-Sachin fan to watch this film?
There are a lot of things my fans don’t know about me. With this film, they will get to know plenty about me. There are a lot of videos from my personal collection — my family videos — and those are interesting. For a non-Sachin fan, there’s a lot that they will get to understand about me.

Will the movie focus on any particular aspect of your life?
It will cover all aspects. The movie covers my life from the age of five till the last day of my career — 35 years in all. So there are many things that have happened in those years. At the same time, it is impossible to cover everything, so you are going to miss out on a lot of things. That was a challenge, which I feel the director James (Erskine) and his team, have done a magnificent job with.

Have you dedicated the movie to anyone?
It’s, of course, my father (Ramesh Tendulkar) first, and then everyone else in the family. He is the one person we all miss at this moment. It’s him more than anyone right now.

While this movie is a very personal account, would you be open to letting someone else make a Bollywood biopic?
(Laughs) No, I think I have had enough right now. Shooting and interviews... I just need some time off and take rest for a while because it has been really, really hectic. Honestly, I haven’t thought about it at this moment. This movie is what I am focussed on right now. After this is done, I want some time with my family.

You also turned singer recently. Does the entertainment industry figure in your future plans?
Singing was a one-off thing. It was just fun at home. My family was discussing it and Anjali came up with this idea and said ‘You should do it. If it doesn’t work, leave it’. We tried and everyone liked it, so we were happy with it. The question was whether I was comfortable or not. As for the movie, it was being planned since 2012. In fact, this idea of this movie on my life was before any of these biopics were released. We sat together and planned this, just that mine is a real-life on celluloid.

Considering the fact that you have managed to keep your family out of the media glare, did it require any convincing to share your personal videos?
The thing with sharing family videos is that we all had to be comfortable with it. We fully understand that all the fans would like to see something that they haven’t seen before, and they want it to be more about me, my life and my family. We had to find a balance and meet at a point where we are not uncomfortable and they are not disappointed. We managed do that.

Are you enjoying this post-retirement phase, where you are getting to dabble in things other than cricket?
Besides music and this movie, I have also been able to do things like getting involved with UNICEF. Those things are also part of the post-retirement phase. I adopted one village, and am on my way to adopting another one. A lot of things have kept me busy.

One sports star whose biopic you would like to see...
Roger Federer’s would be the one for me.

What advice would you give to other sportsmen about post-retirement life?
Each person has their own preferences and their lifestyle, there is no set formula as such about retired life that exists. Many guys have chosen to play golf seriously, or be a part of their family businesses. Few guys have chosen to stay connected to cricket, and there are guys who moved away from the sport, too. It’s up to the individual.

Your son Arjun has shown an inclination towards cricket, is Sara interested in sports, too? What kind of hopes do you have from them?
We have given our children the freedom to do what they want to do. It’s important to be passionate about whatever you want to be in life. We can guide them, but... you know expectations are only to go out and give it your best. As long as they are giving it their best, that’s all that matters to me, the rest, I leave to God.

When the movie was screened, whose reactions were you nervous about?
My children and my mother, because that covers all generations in between. If both ends are okay then you know that the guys in between, their reaction will be fine.