Showing posts with label Inaaya Naumi Kemmu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inaaya Naumi Kemmu. Show all posts
Children don’t need flawless parents; they just need parents who are emotionally available-Soha Ali Khan
10:41 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; May 10, 2026)
The daughter of legendary actress Sharmila Tagore and cricket icon Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Soha Ali Khan grew up in a household where discipline, culture and creativity coexisted seamlessly. Today, she is a hands-on mother to her eight-year-old daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu, whom she shares with actor Kunal Kemmu. This Mother’s Day, Soha reflects on parenting, inherited values, working-mom guilt, and the deepening appreciation she now has for her own mother.
‘Motherhood is exhausting, joyful, chaotic and deeply profound’
For Soha, motherhood is not defined by one dramatic revelation, but by the constant emotional responsibility that comes with raising a child. “Motherhood for me has been the most transformative experience of my entire life. It’s exhausting, it’s joyful, it’s chaotic, it’s repetitive, it’s deeply profound. When I look at my daughter growing up, there’s not one moment that does not make me feel – this is what Amma did for me. The fact is that there’s never a day off from being a mother emotionally. Your brain is on duty forever,” she reflects, adding, “Even today, my mother worries about us. She asks me, ‘Will Saif be okay? Will Saba and you be okay?’ I feel 30 years from now, I’m going to be the same.”
‘Just because our surname was recognisable, didn’t mean rules would change for us at home while growing up’
A large part of Soha’s parenting style today comes directly from the values she inherited from Sharmila Tagore. She speaks fondly about a childhood shaped by books, conversations and structure rather than screens and distractions.
“The values from my mother that I try to pass on are kindness, curiosity and good manners. She taught us not to be bored, to be really comfortable in our own company. We were not allowed to use the word ‘bored’ at home especially because we grew up with books and that is what I am trying to do with Inaaya.”
She elaborates, “I have taught her reading, how to have a good conversation, how to be polite and the importance of being on time which my mother was very particular about. Some of these things are a little old fashioned but also, they are very underrated qualities. Growing up, we had very boring and normal rules: we had to do our homework, read books and behave well. Just because our surname was recognisable didn’t mean any of these things could change. Fame was never treated as an achievement in itself at home.”
Soha on protecting her daughter’s privacy in the age of AI
In recent years, Soha has also consciously chosen to give her daughter more privacy online, especially amid growing concerns around AI and digital safety.
She says, “The terrifying things that people are now doing with AI definitely played a role, but also consent. I think as parents, we increasingly realise that childhood is precious and private, and social media creates a sort of permanent digital footprint before children are old enough to even understand that. We still share moments occasionally, but I’m really trying to give my child the space to choose for herself how visible she wants to be when she’s older. I don’t want to have taken that away from her before she even had that opportunity to decide for herself.”
Life lessons from motherhood
The actress shares, “I think one life lesson that motherhood has taught me is that perfection is overrated. What matters more is just being there, showing up and being present. Children don’t need flawless parents; they just need parents who are emotionally available. Motherhood has taught me patience, although that’s definitely still a work in progress. There are many times when I fall short of being an example of patience, but I’m doing my best.”
Inaaya says she’ll write to British monarchy and demand Koh-i-Noor diamond back-Soha Ali Khan
9:07 AM
Debarati S Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; April 21, 2025)
Soha Ali Khan, who grew up in an environment rich in art and culture, visited the recently restored Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum. During the tour, the actor-author spoke to us about how she was attracted to museums from a young age and how her daughter Inaaya is taking a keen interest in the same.
‘Amma and Abba loved taking us to museums during our holidays’
Recalling her childhood days where her parents Sharmila Tagore and late Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi would often take Soha and her siblings, Saif Ali Khan and Saba Pataudi, for museum visits, Soha says, “Amma and Abba loved taking us to museums, especially during our holidays in England. My brother studied there, and my father, who also studied in the UK, enjoyed visiting in the summer. Amma’s favourite was always the Natural History Museum with its dinosaurs and fossils. I recently took Inaaya there while shooting in London, and she loved it. The roaring, motorized dinosaurs made her feel like she was in Jurassic Park.”
The family also visited the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Tower of London, where the Koh-i-Noor is displayed. “Inaaya keeps saying she’ll write to the monarchy and demand our diamond back!” Soha adds with a smile.
The actress-author explains how even in Inaaya’s school, they encourage immersive art programs. “They’ve taken the kids to exhibitions by Yayoi Kusama and even had them paint their own Mona Lisas (self-portraits) after studying Da Vinci. It’s a hands-on approach; they learn theory and get messy with paint,” she shares. Soha extends this approach to other cultural elements including music, mythology, and real-world stories.
“We talk about astronauts like Sunita Williams and how her journey reflects resilience. It’s relevant, it's human, and it teaches values along with history.”
‘Inaaya now recognizes Sunflowers, Starry Night’
For Soha, teaching her daughter about heritage isn’t about memorizing facts and timelines, it’s about sharing stories and creating sensory experiences. “The best way to introduce a child to art and history is to make it fun and interactive – not just tell them about it or read from a book. Museums connect us to history in ways books sometimes can’t. We go to museums with child-friendly exhibits. I point out paintings at home and talk about artists like Van Gogh. Inaaya now recognizes Sunflowers, Starry Night and even Da Vinci.”
‘I would love to visit Croatia’s Museum of Broken Relationships’
Soha’s eyes light up when talking about a dream destination. “One museum I’d love to visit, and maybe even contribute to, is the Museum of Broken Relationships in Zagreb, Croatia. It’s filled with small things people hold on to after a breakup – plane tickets, notes, even those sickness bags from flights. There’s a whole section on long-distance relationships. I think it’s such a beautiful and moving idea.”
Location courtesy: Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai
Kunal Kemmu said he could totally see me as the scary element in the horror movie-Soha Ali Khan
8:05 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; July 24, 2025)
Soha Ali Khan and husband Kunal Kemmu welcomed their daughter Inaaya in 2017. Post that, she was focused on her personal life and raising her daughter, and was seen in a few projects like Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 (2018) and in a couple of web shows last year. The actress and author says that now she’s ready to take up more acting assignments. In a conversation with us, Soha talks about her experience of working in a horror film and how she is glad that today there are more author-backed roles for actresses her age.
‘There are a lot of roles for actresses my age’
About her break and the kind of opportunities that are coming her way in this phase of her career, Soha says, “Today when I see good content that’s out there, I wish I could have been a part of some of it. Though there is great work, there’s a bit of a slowdown we are witnessing right now in the industry.”
Soha add, "Some corrections are happening. But overall, I am very excited by the fact that I am a woman in my 40s, who is being represented well on screen. I don’t feel any panic about the fact that there won’t be any work for me. There are a lot of roles for actresses my age and they are not clichéd ones, but meaty and author-backed roles.”
‘Right now, My plate is full with acting and production work’
While she is longing to take up more acting projects, Soha is also focusing on her production venture with Kunal, which is a biopic on veteran lawyer Ram Jethmalani. She shares, “I want to do a lot more work. It’s just that I have been really enjoying being a parent. Now Inaaya is six and she is very independent. I enjoyed my work-life balance, but now I want to focus more on ‘work’ in the work-life balance process. My plate is full with acting and production work. We were lucky to get the life rights of Ram Jethmalani. It’s exciting to research and weave it into some kind of cinematic form as he had a very long and colourful life.”
‘I wasn’t too sure about doing a horror film’
Soha recently shot for a horror film with Nushrratt Bharuccha, which is a sequel to the 2021 release Chhorii. The actress says, “This year you will see me in a horror film. The director and the producer came to me saying that I would fit the part of the antagonist (as an evil character) perfectly. I was surprised I could look scary on screen. I wasn’t too sure about the opportunity. I asked Kunal (Kemmu, her husband) and he said he could totally see me as the scary element in the horror movie, and so did my daughter (laughs)!”
‘With horror and comedy, you either love it or hate it’
About her experience shooting for a horror film, Soha shares, “I haven’t played an antagonist before. This is the first time I even wore prosthetics. Horror as a genre is tough as it can go either way. With horror and comedy, you either love it or hate it as there is no middle way.”
‘I think Ibrahim has great potential’
Soha’s nephew Ibrahim Ali Khan is set to make his debut as an actor. Talking about him, she says, “Ibrahim is good-looking and has a charming personality. But I have not seen his work as an actor. I think that he has great potential, and it is now for the director to bring out the best in him and obviously for Ibrahim to work hard. When it comes to the acting bug, I have seen it more in Sara (Ali Khan, her niece) while they were growing up. I think things changed after Ibrahim assisted on film sets. In terms of looks, Ibrahim is definitely the taller version of bhai (Saif).”
Today they say, ‘No phones at the dinner table’, my father used to tell me, ‘No books at the dinner table’-Soha Ali Khan
9:17 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; June 19, 2024)
“I was that child who always had a book in her hand. Today they say, ‘No phones at the dinner table’, my father used to tell me, ‘No books at the dinner table’,” says Soha Ali Khan, who, just like her other family members, brother Saif Ali Khan and mother Sharmila Tagore, is an avid reader. “You must make time for reading, else you become more of a book collector than a reader. I believe books really don’t want to be collected; they want to be read,” she tells us. On National Reading Day today, the actress talks to us about her love for books and her relationship with them.
‘I find libraries fascinating’
Soha looks back at the time she spent in libraries. “I am a member of a public library in Delhi. I find libraries fascinating. When you spend time in a library, you feel like reading something. Being there encourages you to pick up a book,” says the actress, who feels compelled to read a book every time she is in her daughter Inaaya’s school’s library.
The vibe there takes her back to her college days. “I was lucky enough to study at Oxford University, which has one of the best libraries in the world called the Bodleian Library,” she shares.
‘Looking at mom and dad read, got me interested in books’
In this digital age, Soha had a challenging time getting daughter Inaaya interested in reading. She says, “I enjoyed reading and back then, there wasn’t much competition from movies, TV or the internet. I saw mom and dad reading, and it got me interested. When it comes to Inaaya, I tell her that only when you finish reading this chapter you can eat the chocolate cake and watch TV. I know it’s not good to bribe your children, but I find it very effective (laughs). I also follow positive reinforcement of leaving books lying around her, something they do in her school too, so that kids pick up the books and read them.”
‘Since I am a reader, I don’t get bored easily. I enjoy being alone’
Talking about the habit of reading, “One needs to prioritize reading because it encourages focus and discipline. Just sitting with a book relaxes your mind. Since I am a reader, I don’t get bored easily. I enjoy being alone. Also, I don’t need music as a distraction and flights are not boring for me as I read. What you read shapes you as an individual. It improves your imagination, vocabulary and writing style.”
While Soha is not a part of any book club, she is fascinated by the idea. “Currently, I am not a part of any of these clubs, but I think it’s a great, inexpensive social diversion at a time when people are looking for digitally free habits and hobbies.” She does follow some celeb book recommendations.
“There are many celebrity book clubs. I follow Ellen DeGeneres’ book recommendations, even Oprah Winfrey’s summer pick. I read those, and now it is interesting to see how many reader-actors have online and offline book clubs. Reese Witherspoon and Dua Lipa have popular book clubs.”
Telephone operators were very much a part of Tiger and my love story-Sharmila Tagore
8:34 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; April 7, 2024)
Sharmila Tagore recently interacted with teachers and principals of Delhi University during a book launch in the city. During the discussion, the veteran actress reminisced about her college days, spoke about a new habit she has inculcated – of writing letters to her granddaughter – and even shared some snippets from her love story with Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.
The Mirandian experience
As Sharmila Tagore attended a discussion at the invitation of Miranda House Principal Bijayalaxmi Nanda, she told her, “I came to Delhi in 1984 when amma, my mother-in-law, was ill. I had heard of Miranda House even before then, and I had heard about all those very bright women. And because the principal has so much to do with it, and you’re the principal now, when I received the invitation from you, I couldn’t say no. I just had to come and get this Mirandian experience.”
‘Telephone operators were very much a part of Tiger and my love story’
Not just letters, the veteran actress remembered how the lightning calls took forever. She said, “So, I didn’t have a telephone, and I used to go to Raj Singh’s house – a wonderful friend of Tiger and mine. I used to go to his house and wait for a call at 1 am. Sometimes, the phone would ring, and I would urgently pick it up, and someone at the other end would hear a female voice and quickly hang up. Poor Raj Singh ji’s reputation! The call used to go via London, so we often ended up talking to the operator. Those operators were very much a part of our love story. Maybe we should have invited them to our wedding,” she joked.
‘Letters are wonderful’
Referring to Bijayaalaxmi Nanda’s book, which is about letters, she said, “Letters are wonderful. I’ve started writing letters to Soha’s daughter Inaaya, and when Soha opened that letter, the joy on that little girl’s face and that expression made me so happy. It was the first letter she had received. So I continued writing letters to her. She writes back, and Soha takes a photograph of it and sends it to me, not the real letter. Those letters are kept somewhere for me to see someday. If I live that long and Inaaya is of a certain age, then we can compare those letters and relive those moments. When I was writing to Tiger – that way, I think technology is wonderful – it took a couple of weeks to get back.”
My mom looked after us and looked after herself too. I am learning to do the same-Soha Ali Khan
8:06 AM
Actor, writer, mom, pet parent — Soha Ali Khan wears many hats with ease and élan. The 44-year-old, who described herself as a “fringe” member of a famous family in her book ‘The Perils of Being Moderately Famous’, has coauthored (with her spouse Kunal Kemmu) a series of children’s picture books titled ‘Inni and Bobo’ inspired by their five-year-old daughter Inaaya’s love for pets. She spoke to Sneha Bhura about the joys and perils of raising a child and three adopted Indies
Sneha Bhura (TIMES PARENTING | THE TIMES OF INDIA; August 27, 2023)
You took a complete break from acting when you had Inaaya. What was it like?
I always had goals, whether financial or career-oriented. I got my first job when I was 17. I went off to England when I was 18 and never stayed at home after that. I worked in a bank. I worked in the development sector. I studied extensively. I joined films because I enjoyed acting and then got married. I had not given much thought to having children. But it got to a point where it was like if you want to have children, then now is the time. I thought this was an experience that I would not want to miss out on. And I am glad because once you have a child, then you can’t imagine life without one. I also chose to have a child later in life because I feel the first couple of years of parenting are new, uncharted territory, and I wanted to focus on that. If I was multitasking, I may not have been able to find that work-life balance. I wanted to devote myself to being a mother. I did that entirely, and very happily, for two or three years.
What are the joys and challenges of parenting a five-year-old?
It’s amazing when you can have conversations with kids, and get an insight into the way their minds work. If you just listen to them, you learn so much. We (adults) lack imagination. We know too much about the world. If Inaaya asks, are unicorns real? I say, “Well, I haven’t seen one. That doesn’t mean that they’re not real. I haven’t been on Mars either.” I don’t know a lot about the world, but I would like her to have that imagination for as long as possible. She just lost her first tooth so we were wondering whether we should tell her about the tooth fairy. Would she believe it? Is there Santa Claus? Soon she’s going to know. If you can keep up the magic for as long as possible, why not? But we also answer her questions. I have had arguments with her. I have lost my patience and I have apologized to her many times. But I also go to work and don’t apologize. I tell her I’m going to work because I enjoy working. She doesn’t like that. She says, “Why can’t you cancel it? If you don’t then it means you don’t love me.” I feel slowly she will understand that it’s important to have work, to have friends and other things that define you. It is great fun to have a five-year-old but it’s also difficult because kids are open to many influences. She’s going to school and there are 50,000 other people around her and she’s going to be a product of all of those things.
Do you and Kunal divide parenting responsibilities equally?
Kunal is an equal co-parent in sharing responsibilities. But he does have a different style of parenting. What tends to happen is that I want to have control over things like nutrition or bedtime. It’s not that he doesn’t want to be there equally, but it is because I feel like he won’t do it properly. Or nobody will do it properly. That’s why, I often become crazy over things like bedtime. Bedtime for Inaaya is strictly at 7:30 pm. Nobody comes to my house after seven o’clock.
Isn’t 7:30 pm too early?
Kunal asks the same question (laughs). But I have noticed that Inaaya functions well on 11 hours of sleep at this age. Of course, every child is different. Also, the child feels she will be able to do everything that you’re doing. It is tough to say: “No, you need to sleep for two or three hours more than I do. You’re still growing. You need to go to school in the morning.” It is tough but that discipline and being able to say ‘no’ to your child is important. It’s hard because children have very logical arguments. Inaaya is such a good negotiator. I am exhausted from negotiating every day. As a working mother, the schedule really helps me. I am doing it for my own peace of mind too as I get time to myself.
What if Inaaya refuses to listen? How can one discipline a five-year-old?
Children are very clever. What they tend to do is also play parents against each other. If I say no, she’ll go and complain to Kunal. So, it’s very important to have a united front as parents. But sometimes she really doesn’t listen. It’s important to be patient and remember that what the child is asking for may be small to you but not to them. It is easy to be dismissive and say, “so what if you don’t watch 10 minutes more of TV today? What if you can’t have candy or what if you can’t wear that ridiculous T-shirt?” But this is a child asserting his or her independence; this is them wanting to make choices because bechara they make no choices. You are anyway telling them what to wear, when to go to school, what hairstyle to keep. They are already so disenfranchised at five. It’s okay to allow them to have some say in their lives.
Has having pets improved your parenting game?
I don’t think you bring a pet home because you want to improve your parenting game or get a toy or playmate to make your child’s life better. A pet is another member of your family. It’s a big responsibility. Not everyone is cut out for it. Just like not everyone needs to be a parent, not everyone needs to be a pet owner. But, yes, pets do add something to your life. I have grown up with dogs because we had space. They are great companions, and it is hard to be in a bad mood with dogs around because they are so full of love. My father once said that it is important for every child to have a pet because it teaches them to cope with death. Your pet will probably die before you, and it will teach you a very hard lesson at a very young age. That’s not really a reason to get a pet but it does teach you life lessons.
How are you teaching Inaaya responsible pet ownership?
She definitely wants another pet. She can’t decide between a cat or a dog. We have had many conversations around this. We remind her: “You’re in school from 8 am to 3 pm; you then want to go and play at people’s houses. Sometimes we go on holidays. Kunal and I have to go away for weeks at a time when we are shooting. Will you make time for the pet? Or will it be like the hundreds of soft toys you play with for five minutes and then toss aside? Cleaning after them, taking them for walks, spending quality time, taking them to the vet when they fall sick, all this will be your responsibility too.” And now she gets that it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. We are waiting for the right time when she is a little older to take on these responsibilities.
In your children’s series, you have shown Inni adopting Bobo, going with him to a park and school too. What will be their next adventure?
My mother suggested that they should really have an adventure where someone gets into trouble. Like either Bobo saves Inni or Inni saves Bobo. We are trying to figure that out as to how they could — without us looking like irresponsible parents who put them in a place of peril (laughs).To creatively collaborate with your family in itself is quite perilous. Everyone has different personalities; everyone wants things a certain way. People have tantrums. But when it comes to writing, it’s been amazing to see this process through Inaaya’s eyes. To see how a story in your mind can be put from pen to paper, finger to keyboard, and then be printed, bound, illustrated and shared with the world. She has understood the process and what it means to be an author. Seeing that happen has been wonderful.
Any plans for a book on parenting?
I really should write a book on the perils of parenting. I wish I had started writing from the beginning because already five years have elapsed. And when you are a parent, every year is momentous. Like zero to one year is a stage. Then from three to five, big things are happening. But I am too busy and happy living this life right now.
Is it difficult to inculcate good reading behaviour in your child in a digital age?
You have to just say ‘no’ to screen time, and there will be times when they will really resent you, especially when your own world is inundated with screens. How do you explain to a child that she can’t watch TV when you are binge-watching an entire show because a producer wants you to see it? So much of our work is now screen-oriented and kids just don’t get it. I think it’s important for them to be screen-free for some time in the day. It’s about prioritizing and planning. Be involved and do something fun with them, whether it is art, crafts, storytelling, or reading together, or going for a walk, or even exercising. Inaaya and I do yoga together. I am old-school and sometimes I do pressurize my child to read books, even if there are many different ways of becoming smart and assimilating information today. There’s something beautiful about reading a book. As much as possible, I will be that annoying mother who will always tell her child to read a book. You will never be bored if you have a book.
How is your parenting style different from your mother’s?
I think I have more patience than her. For sure! But then I was the youngest child. She had my brother when she was 26. She was working then. By the time I was born almost 10 years later, she was home more. She was in school, she was on the PTA, she was doing bake-sales and school drop offs. She was a very visible parent for me. That’s what I want to do for Inaaya. I saw that she was a working professional who can also carve out time. It does take a community to bring up a child. She was very good at delegating responsibilities. I am learning to do that from her. And she looked after herself too. As they say, first you have to look after yourself, only then can you look after the household. Having her as a grandparent is very useful. Because she’s indulgent with Inaaya and I am there to be the authoritarian figure.
Your nephew Taimur is under constant scrutiny. How are you prepping Inaaya to protect herself from the paparazzi?
Everyone has a different approach. For me, it doesn’t work to hustle the child out of the car or say don’t do this or that. It creates a sense of fear and panic. The paparazzi have been respectful too. If you ask them to not take pictures at a certain time — that perhaps we can come back to pose later — they do listen. More importantly, it helps to have that conversation with the child about the fact that people will be taking pictures of you because your family has worked hard to attain a certain level of celebrity and they are public figures. People are interested in you as a result of that. It’s not so much about what you’ve done in life, although you’re very cute. Inaaya already understands that, and it doesn’t bother her.
We are a family of working actors, and we all enjoy our work-Sharmila Tagore
8:26 AM
Bharti Dubey (E TIMES | BOMBAY TIMES; May 15, 2022)
Sharmila Tagore is making a comeback after a hiatus of 11 years. She will be seen sharing screen space with Amol Palekar, Manoj Bajpayee, Suraj Sharma and Simran Bagga in the film Gulmohar. Speaking to ETimes.in, the veteran actress recalls her experience of being back on sets and feeling at home in front of the camera.
Talking about what it was that prompted her to make a comeback after 11 years, she says, “It’s a very interesting role, different from the usual. It’s not just another grandmother character. I play my age. The script spoke to me, I looked forward to working with Manoj Bajpayee. I’m a big admirer of his. He was wonderful to work with. He internalises his work. He’s very prepared and always in character.”
Though the veteran actress was away from film sets for a while, it didn’t take her any time to feel comfortable in front of the camera. She says, “It felt so good. Our film was shot in homes, and it felt very real. It was not the studio atmosphere, where you just come and go. It was like we were living together for one month. It didn’t seem like I was entering an alien world, I felt the support and love.”
Ask her if she plans to take up more projects, and she says, “I’m not on Instagram, and I’m not so available like that. I said yes to this project, and I might do something again if things work out.”
Sharmila’s daughter-in-law Kareena Kapoor Khan has spoken about looking up to her mother-in-law in the personal and professional sphere. Any plans to work together in the near future? “The audience wants to see a good film at the end of the day. If the collaboration happens organically, then that’s a good thing, but nobody can force these things. Kareena is working on a lovely film. I’m very happy about that because this is the first shoot happening after the lockdown, and Saif has just finished another film. So, we are a family of working actors, and we all enjoy our work.”
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Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 15, 2022)
Actor Sharmila Tagore is all set to face the camera after 11 years. But, she doesn’t believe in calling it her comeback, for she had never quit. “I’m not coming back anywhere,” she states. “At one point in life, I was an actor every day, going for shoots daily. Slowly, I petered down, and then, I wasn’t working for a very long time,” Tagore says, adding that she led a life away from the arclight, busy with her engagements in association with UNICEF as well as her trust.
Last seen in Break Ke Baad (2010), the 75-year-old will star in Gulmohar alongside Manoj Bajpayee, Amol Palekar and others. “I liked the script and they were going to shoot in Delhi, which was wonderful, because I live in Delhi. I was a little nervous about taking a commercial flight due to Coronavirus, but I didn’t have to. It worked out convenient,” she tells us.
Going forward, will we get to see more of her on screen? “It depends on the script,” she continues, “Also, there are a lot of other things which I want to do in life. I want to travel, spend time with my grandchildren. I’ve got the responsibility of Pataudi palace... If I get a role that’s not stereotypical, I would be interested. But, I’m not looking to work just for the heck of it, because that part of me is over now.”
Besides her fans, her grandkids will also see her bring a character alive on screen after long. And this thought has got her a bit more excited. “I got a lovely message from Inaaya already, congratulating me, prompted by her mother of course. Taimur and Jeh aren’t allowed to watch films now, but I assume it will be different when they watch me on screen. Sara and Ibrahim will watch, and they better like it. They don’t have an option but to say, ‘Well done’!” she says with a hearty laugh.
Returning to a film set, she says, was like a perfect holiday. In fact, the Kashmir Ki Kali (1964) actor says she felt like a newcomer, bringing her own perception to the role.
“It was fun to work on a film with no pressure at all. It was something different from my life now. It was liberating, more like a wonderful holiday. That’s also because it is not my life anymore. My life right now is completely different. I’m not a working person anymore. I’m not going every day to work like everybody else, from one film to another,” she says, adding, “I worked in the film and now, I have gone back to my own life.”
Inaaya doesn’t fear getting papped, takes it in stride-Soha Ali Khan
6:55 PM
Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 30, 2021)
There was a time when actor Soha Ali Khan’s daughter, Inaaya Naumi Kemmu, would ask millions of questions about strangers taking her photographs. But Khan shares that the four-year-old has accepted the attention over time.
“When she was little, she used to ask me: ‘Who are these people? And why are they taking our pictures?’ She didn’t know what was happening and whether it was something that happened to everybody,” Khan shares.
The 43-year-old tells us that she tried to explain that people in her family are public figures, and “people are interested in seeing them as well as their lives”. “Inaaya grasped that concept. Now, it doesn’t scare her or make her anxious. She sort of takes it in her stride. We also don’t try to whisk her away or anything,” adds Khan, who is married to actor Kunal Kemmu.
With the pandemic, a sense of distance has come between celebrities and paparazzi, which Khan appreciates as “Inaaya is a little protected”.
Khan also shares that when Inaaya refuses for a picture at home, her parents respect her call. “There are many times at home where she tells me not to take her video or photo. And I respect that. She hasn’t yet said that when she is being papped outside. But sometimes these pictures are taken without consent,” she says, adding, “That is something my family signed up for, but Inaaya hasn’t. So that is a conversation she and I could have at a later stage.”
Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu to co-author children’s books
8:02 AM
Henna Rakheja (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 26, 2021)
They have shared space in reel life as actors, and in real life, as partners and parents. Now, Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu are soon going to share credits as authors! The couple is compiling a series of children’s books, titled Inni And Bobo. The character of the protagonist, Inni, is based on their three-year-old daughter Inaaya, whose love for stories inspired the two to explore a young child’s love for animals, especially puppies, in the upcoming book.
Khan, who earlier wrote her memoir, The Perils Of Being Moderately Famous, informs that though the book will be “descriptive and evocative”, she has “consciously tried to avoid being metaphorical”. She believes that for children’s books, “the writing style needs to be more literal to be understood”. And though this book marks Kemmu’s debut as an author, he “never really felt any pressure”.
As a kid, Kemmu reveals, he “wasn’t much of a reader”, and loved hearing and visualising stories more. “My family used to tell me a lot of stories in different ways, which would add to how I’d imagine it... Soha reads a lot of stories to Inaaya, but I like to make up stories for her... That is how this book happened. This one story that I made up for her, she really liked it and then Soha helped put it together.”
Ask Khan whether it has been easy or difficult to work with Kemmu as a co-author, and she quips, “Kunal and I make a great team, in life as well as in writing.”
Talking about the books, she shares, “The idea and the storyline for the first two books came from Kunal. He wrote the one-liner, as we call it for scripts in film industry, and I fleshed it out, dressed it up, and made it pleasing to the eye! It is open to debate — and we often do debate — who has contributed more, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the both of us.”
So are there plans to write more books? “Maybe,” says Kemmu, revealing how he’s close to animals and works for the cause of strays. “As a kid, I was scared of dogs and never thought I would want one. But, as I grew up, my fondness for them really grew... Masti is the first pet I have; she’s more like a daughter to me,” he shares.
On the occasion of International Dog Day, he urges people to adopt strays. “We have also adopted and fostered strays in the past. Even now we have them in Delhi. It’s an emotional experience to see an injured or an orphaned animal. So, I’m glad to be in a position where I can help.”
I wanted to be there for our daughter during her crucial years-Soha Ali Khan
7:44 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 23, 2021)
Soha Ali Khan, who was last in seen in Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 (2018), is now all set to return to the screen with Hush Hush. The film also marks her digital debut. Having spent the past few years raising her daughter, Inaaya Naumi Kemmu, she is happy to have learnt to balance motherhood and her professional life.
She says, “The foundation of childhood is important, and Kunal (Kemmu; husband and actor) and I made sure to create an environment of learning and encouragement. So, my focus for a while has been more about embracing this new phase of our lives and being there for our daughter especially during her crucial growing years.”
Khan credits her mother-actor Sharmila Tagore for continuing to work even after becoming a mother and inspiring her. “Growing up, my mother was an icon in our lives. She balanced work and her time at home, which was commendable. She inspired me, taught me to nurture my little one and embrace the journey of motherhood while I take a break from the screen.”
Ask her about made her want to foray into the web space and the actor says that it seemed like the obvious next with more and more audiences consuming content on OTT platforms. “The pandemic has driven the eyeballs of people towards OTT platforms more than ever. Web series is a great way to create art and valuable content and reach millions. OTT offers quality and challenging work for actors and I would love to share a platform among the best ones,” she concludes.
Inaaya also understands the need to wear a mask-Soha Ali Khan
8:00 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 16, 2021)
Soha Ali Khan had been shooting for her debut web series in the Capital amid the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic, before all shoots had to be halted. The actor says that it was not easy shooting during these tough times, but the show had to go on. However, she credits her mother, actor Sharmila Tagore’s homemade immunity-boosting remedies for making things a little easier for her.
“The new normal has forced everyone to take extra measures, especially if you have senior citizens or children at home,” Khan shares, adding, “I ensured that I was taking the necessary measures, such as wearing a mask, washing my hands or using a sanitiser regularly. And I work on managing my family’s immunity with simple remedies I picked up from my mum. She inculcated healthy habits in all the kids from an early age and I credit her for how I’m today.”
With her three-year-old daughter, Inaaya Naumi Kemmu, at home, has she been taking some special precautions? “Small kids are usually fussy eaters, but training them the right way helps in building a diligent schedule for their body. I include a handful of almonds in her daily food. Inaaya also understands the need to wear a mask and we avoid stepping out of the house,” the Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 (2018) actor tells us.
She also emphasises on the need to keep Inaaya active throughout the day so that the lockdown fatigue doesn’t hit her. Khan shares, “My daughter joins me sometimes in our family yoga or zumba sessions once a week. It is adorable to see her exercising with us. As they say, like mother, like daughter!”
It’s not like we always saw our father going to work and mom at home. We actually saw the reverse-Soha Ali Khan
8:17 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 9, 2021)
Your mother and you have joined hands for a cause that will see you auction items from your closets. What was the thought behind this initiative?
We have been associated with this group’s initiatives for a while now. This initiative gives us a chance to encourage the philosophy of pre-loved articles. It gives us a chance to look through our cupboards and put what we’re probably hoarding for years to good use. Someone will find some joy in them. The proceeds will be used for animal rescue programmes and other social causes. Giving brings its own kind of joy and peace. This is a good way and a good time to start giving back to society in some way.
Your daughter Inaaya is over three years now. How much has life changed for you in these years?
Being a mother is a life-changing experience. Motherhood changes you profoundly. Once you become a mother, things are never the same. The centre of your world changes...a part of your heart goes out of your body in the form of another living being. It’s incredibly humbling and magical to see how you create life. You might think the child is half you and half your partner, but they are 100 per cent their own people. It’s fascinating to see that my daughter, at her age, has her own, unique personality. Our job as parents is to help the child become what they want to be, without forcing our dreams on them. Of course, you have to intervene as and when needed, but even with the best intentions, you have to take a backseat and let them become who they want to be
By the time I was born, my parents had super busy careers and were known as star achievers. Mom, by then, had begun to wind down her career.
When I was a little girl, she was away to shoot Mississippi Masala for about three months. I would write her a letter every day. My father would collect them and post them every Sunday to her. When I was shooting in Delhi recently, Inaaya would make video calls whenever she wanted to see me and speak to me. We didn’t have that option back then. My mother had once said that it was hard for her to be a working mother. You’re almost always hard on yourself. There were so many occasions when we wouldn’t be together on her birthday or one of our birthdays, because of her work schedule. But we would not hold it against her. Instead, we celebrated when we got the time with her. Around the time I was born, my dad had become a stay-at-home father, moving his engagements at home. It’s not like we always saw our father going to work and mom at home. We actually saw the reverse — dad was with us and mom would be away for her work. Since an early age, it taught us that mothers have their own dreams, ambitions and careers, too. It taught us that we should create a supportive environment for that. Amma and I have holidayed, been on car trips and played word games together. My parents were particular that the time at the dinner table was for conversations with family — no reading books or anything else. It was about spending quality time together. I am glad I had a role model in my mother who taught me that it’s okay to have a career and dreams along with having children.
Do you often reach out to your mother on her opinion on parenting matters?
My mom is wise. As daughters, sometimes, the last person you want advice from is your own mother, especially when it comes to being a mother. You want to find solutions to your problems, and have an identity of your own as a parent. Sometimes, you even fight against their advice because what they did in their time may not be applicable anymore. When I became an actress, and I was asked if my mother ever advised me, and I had quoted Amma then, she had said, ‘There is one captain of the ship. Your director.’ Similarly, when I became a mother, she told me that my pediatrician is the captain of the ship when it comes to medical advice, and I should turn to the doctor when the need arises. Inaaya, Amma and I were in Pataudi recently, when I got into an argument with my daughter. Inaaya was not interested in listening to me. My mother was right when she said that you can’t win against a three-year-old. You need to empathise with the child at that moment. Later, you can explain these things to her when she is in the space to listen. She was right about that and many such things. I love the fact that my mother is never overbearing when it comes to giving advice.
Images: Check out Taimur Ali Khan Pataudi's Hulk-themed birthday bash
7:52 AM
BOMBAY TIMES (December 22, 2020)
Family members dropped by to wish little Tim Tim, as he is fondly called, on his special day. Seen attending the do were Karisma Kapoor and her children - daughter Samaira and son Kiaan Raj Kapoor, Babita and Randhir Kapoor, Kunal Kemmu and Soha Ali Khan along with daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu.
Earlier during the day, Kareena had written a heartfelt note for her son on Instagram. She wrote, “My child... I’m happy at four you have such determination, dedication and focus on what you want to do... Which is now picking up the haystack and feeding the cow... God bless you my hardworking boy, but on the way, don’t forget to taste the snow, pluck flowers, jump up and down, climb trees and of course, eat all your cake. Chase your dreams and keep your chin up my boy... But above all else do everything in your life that makes you smile. No one can or ever will love you more than your Amma. Happy Birthday son... My Tim.”
All you need to know about the intimate gathering on Saif Ali Khan's 50th birthday
8:54 AM
Kareena Kapoor Khan hosts an intimate gathering for Saif Ali Khan's 50th
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 16, 2020)
In a pre-Coronavirus world, Saif Ali Khan's 50th birthday would have been celebrated with much fanfare. But given the situation, it will be a homely affair for the star. Hosting an intimate get-together with family and close friends, wife Kareena Kapoor Khan will be keeping it low-key. A source informs, "Besides Sara and Ibrahim, Saif will be joined by sister Soha, Kunal Kemmu and their daughter Inaaya. Kareena has curated an elaborate blowout with his favourite dishes."
Earlier in the week, the duo announced that they are expecting the arrival of their second baby next year. "Initially, they had an elaborate plan for Saif's 50th birthday, which included a grand celebration at the Pataudi Palace. Though a party is in order later, the family plans to cut through the grimness in the air with one too many cakes," added the source.
On the work front, the actor has two releases in the near future—Amazon Prime series Dilli, helmed by Ali Abbas Zafar which releases later this year and Bunty Aur Babli 2, for which the actor will resume shooting soon.
I will self quarantine for 14 days before returning home from Abhay 2 shoot-Kunal Kemmu
8:09 AM
Heading to Nashik for Abhay 2 shoot after a four-month lockdown, Kunal Kemmu on how he will take precautions before reuniting with wife Soha Ali Khan, daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 20, 2020)
"After 120 days, I have finally gone beyond 500 metres from my building," laughs Kunal Kemmu, who headed to Nashik for the shoot of the second season of Abhay, on Sunday. Like countless other projects, the crime thriller — that was to go on floors in May — was delayed due to the Coronavirus lockdown. The actor admits he is excited and cautious in equal measure as he gears up to film his first project in the post-COVID world.
"We are headed to Nashik with a small crew, and have planned the schedule intricately. Even though we will be shooting in a relatively safe zone in the city, we will ensure that safety guidelines are strictly followed during the seven-day stint," he says.
Much as he would like to run back into the arms of wife Soha Ali Khan and two-year-old daughter Inaaya Naumi post the shoot, Kemmu is aware that it could pose a threat to their health. "I will self-quarantine [for 14 days] before returning home. Every member of the cast and crew was tested before reporting to the shoot, and we will do another round of tests after we wrap up," says Kemmu, who is gearing up for the release of Lootcase.
Inaaya listens to Taimur a lot, she tries to copy whatever he does-Soha Ali Khan
9:15 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; July 19, 2020)
A few days ago, Soha Ali Khan posted a photograph of her daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu and nephew Taimur Ali Khan dressed up as Batgirl and Batman, which went viral immediately. The occasion was a close-knit family get-together organised by Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan at their Bandra home. The ‘guests’ included Soha, her actor-husband Kunal Kemmu and Saif’s older children, Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan, all of whom stay in the neighbourhood.“Both Inaaya and Taimur wanted to be Batman, nobody wanted to be Robin,” says Soha, laughing. Talking to BT about their mini family get-together, she adds, “We want Taimur and Inaaya to spend time with each other, they have to interact with kids their age. Inaaya is two-and-a-half years old and Taimur is just nine months older than her. Under normal circumstances, they would have been going to school and learning from their classmates. But, since that’s not possible, we decided to have a family reunion and luckily, we all stay close by. Inaaya listens to Taimur a lot, she tries to copy whatever he does and wants to be faster than him. As they say, when you have an older sibling, you try and learn faster.”
While the brother-sister duo stay in the vicinity, their mother Sharmila Tagore resides in Delhi. Naturally, Soha is concerned about the health of her 75-year-old mom. She says, “She stays alone, but thankfully, we have excellent staff at home, who has been working with us for years. We are constantly in touch via messages and do video calls on alternate days. She can lie about her health while messaging, but video calls pe sab sach dikhta hai. I want to go and see her, but I can’t leave Inaaya or travel with her. I am torn between my daughter and my mother. My mom calms me down, though. The thing with that generation is that they are very strong and take everything in their stride.”
Unable to meet each other, Taimur & Inaaya have been bonding over video calls-Kunal Kemmu
8:28 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; June 7, 2020)
Now that the country is in unlock mode, Taimur Ali Khan and Inaaya Naumi Kemmu might not have to wait longer for their play date. The cousins, who are extremely fond of each other, have been missing their regular game sessions. However, just like their parents, Saif Ali Khan-Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kunal Kemmu-Soha Ali Khan, the little ones, too, have stayed in touch over video calls. Kunal, who organises these virtual bonding sessions, says, “Technology has helped them stay in touch with each other. They love chatting over video calls. The conversations are mostly gibberish, and a little about what they are doing at home (laughs!).”
When asked how this homebound phase was for Soha and him, Kunal says, “Soha and I are compatible with each other. We had lived together for a few years before we got married. So, we know and understand each other very well.” And the actor adds that he also has his daughter Inaaya to thank for keeping them positive in these times. “She is one of the reasons we are in a good space, mentally. She has brought so much joy into our lives. On her part, Inaaya is happy that we are always at home,” says Kunal.
Interestingly, he tells us how even kids, in their own way, are aware of the pandemic. So, every time Kunal teases Inaaya about stepping out, she has a warning for him. “She has learnt the word, Coronavirus. She also knows that people are staying at home because of it. So, every time I tell her that I want to step out, she says, ‘You can’t, there is Coronavirus outside’,” he signs off.
Birthdays were exciting till when I was about 15, when potato chips were highlights-Kunal Kemmu
8:10 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 25, 2020)
“I have to remind myself that I am 37 now as one doesn’t feel any different,” quips Kunal Kemmu, who turns a year older today. He admits that birthday in quarantine won’t be any different as he doesn’t really “celebrate birthdays”. “Usually, I prefer to work on my birthdays and end the day with a meal with family. Birthdays were exciting till when I was about 15, when potato chips were highlights (laughs),” he adds.
At home with wife-actor Soha Ali Khan and daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu, the Malang actor says he feels blessed and shares that anxiety and stress are common in these times and one should open up to someone. “It is very important to be in a good place mentally. When you feel anxious or stressed, the best solution is to talk about it. Reach out to friends and family and talk about whatever is bothering you. We all have been keeping a timetable of waking up and sleeping on time and Inaaya has kept us quite positive and energetic. We have all learnt to slow down a bit. These are testing times and we have to fight through it,” says the actor, who was shooting for the second season of his web show, Abhay when the Coronavirus lockdown started.
Kemmu is currently enjoying the appreciation coming his way for his performance in Malang, that released on an OTT recently. “It is like a second wave and I have heard from people from all over the world. That’s the beauty of cinema that it touches so many people. And Malang has been a fulfilling experience for me,” he shares.
Weighing in on the debate of celebs posting videos of cooking or workouts, he says that “it is about having fun and entertaining someone but to each his own. I don’t post that regularly and I don’t feel pressure”.
I believe a routine is important-Kunal Kemmu
8:26 AM
Sonil Dedhia (HINDUSTAN TIMES; May 11, 2020)
Kunal Kemmu has been spending some quality time with his daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu and wife Soha Ali Khan during the ongoing lockdown period. “The one thing that has kept us on our toes is our daughter. Normally, in this situation, things could tend to get boring and lazy but we are aware that with Inaaya, we have something to do. Thanks to her schedule there is some routine that is still alive. She wakes up at a certain time and her time is divided into school and play time. In fact, she is aware that there is something called the Coronavirus because of which you cannot go out of the house. Also, she keeps us motivated to do things,” he says.
The Golmaal Again (2017) actor points out that there are good days and bad days. “I believe a routine is important. The idea is to take one day at a time and count your blessings. I have had days when I have to crawl out of the bed and get myself in the shower. My social media is the best way to know in what kind of mood I am (laughs),” he says, adding that now, people have a lot of time to invest in their hobbies.
“Be it playing the guitar or photography, I read a book, write for a bit, watch something on television and then spend time with my daughter. Like I do a lot of craft activities with Inaaya which took me to my childhood days or just paint in a book which I end up doing a lot more than her so it is real fun,” adds the Go Goa Gone (2013) actor.
While Kemmu is eager to be back on the sets, he is also nervous at the same time. “If we just start going back to the routine which was followed earlier, then this whole exercise of lockdown would go to waste. In fact, I was talking to Soha the other day that whenever I start shooting, I would like to check into a hotel till the time I finish shooting and be there for an extra week. Obviously, there is no clarity as to when will we start shooting but the various producer bodies are deciding on certain norms keeping in mind the safety of everyone,” he signs off.
Inaaya is too young to understand the current situation-Kunal Kemmu
8:16 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 24, 2020)
Self-isolation in times of Coronavirus isn’t easy, but that’s recommended to protect oneself from the disease. And Bollywood celebs have been constantly updating their fans through social media about how they are coping with this crisis and keeping themselves busy. Actor Kunal Kemmu says he has got the much-needed family time since his show’s shoot has been put on hold.
“These are just the early days of self-isolation for me; shooting for my web show Abhay has stopped from March 18. We were supposed to travel for it, but now the whole schedule is on pause. Nonetheless, there is not much that one can do. We need to make the most of the time we have. I’m catching up on films, spending more time with Inaaya (daughter). In fact, I have also hung out with the kids of our building in the past two days, who are otherwise holed up inside,” says the 36-year-old.
Kemmu also had to put a brake on his biking trips with friends. He says, “I am a part of a couple of biking groups. However, now, when someone says, ‘Should we head out?’, others ponder if it is a responsible thing to do, even if we wear a helmet. These are the early days of the pandemic; we are still trying to figure out what this virus is. The biggest obstacle is that not enough tests are being done, and they are not easily accessible. So for people who feel that they have the symptoms, they have to quarantine themselves.”
Keeping two-and-a-half-year-old Inaaya housebound must be quite a task for him and his wife, actor Soha Ali Khan. However, Kemmu says they are managing it well. “Soha is at home, too. As a family, we are painting together, doing other fun stuff. Sometimes, our neighbours’ kids come over, and at times, Inaaya goes to their place. She hasn’t brought up the topic as to why aren’t we going to the park. She’s too young to understand. We have been able to distract her till now, I just hope it doesn’t become a long haul,” he signs off.
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