Meena Iyer (DNA; May 25, 2019)

It’s Karan Johar’s 47th birthday today. As reported by After Hrs earlier this week, the blockbuster filmmaker-cum-talk show host has flown to New York to celebrate his big day.

Before he took off, we got our fix of KJo’s magic and mantras. Charismatic as always, he addressed everything from midlife crisis to his anxieties with a candour that is rare and so welcome.

Over to Karan:

First things first, what are your thoughts on turning 47?
There was a point of time when I was very excited about turning 40. I thought it would be a new innings in my life, which in any case it was. So many exciting things have happened to me in my 40s. Like my company (Dharma Productions) has grown, my kids —  Roohi and Yash — came. It has been a new life with my babies; they have changed my 40s around. I thought there would be the advent of a love story. I put the message out into the Universe and it came true through my children. The love that I was seeking in terms of a relationship, which I never had, and the loneliness that I felt is gone. The decision to have my children has changed my 40s around and it has changed my mother’s 70s around. It has transformed the fulcrum of our existence. At 47, I have two emotions. One of excitement that I am heading towards the mid-point of my life. There is so much I have to achieve before I turn 50. And the second is anxiety. Sometimes, I feel I have lesser and lesser time with my babies with whom I have the best love story going on.

But do you have any thoughts about ageing too? 
There are some thoughts. When I started dressing in a certain way two years ago, I suddenly realised that what I was actually going through was a midlife crisis. I realised I was growing older, so suddenly a lot of colour came into my wardrobe. All the hipster clothes, which maybe I am too old for, came. I don’t care what others think. I am happy with the colours and designs. There are many thoughts in my head — fear, anxiety, excitement and acceptance of my midlife crisis.

However, no outward signs of your midlife crisis are showing?
Well, I just felt I should do everything that I have wanted to do. At a certain point in my life, I may not be able to pull some of this off. If I feel like pouting to my camera, I do just that. There is a lot of abandon. With wisdom comes abandon and there is a certain carefree spirit in my demeanour. I have accepted how I am and I’m not apologetic about it.


Karan Johar with his wax replica at Madame Tussauds in Singapore

Karan, the seven years since your 40th have seen many highs for you — your book (An Unsuitable Boy), your statue at Madame Tussauds, etc.
I feel fortunate that I have been given a platform to achieve my dreams (making the films I want) and also fulfill some of my hobbies. I have done everything that I love. I love fashion, so I have dabbled in it. I like the idea of being a talk show host and I have that going on for the last 14 years. I love walking on red carpets across the world and I have done that. I have always wanted to tell my story and I did that in my book. I was excited to be at Madame Tussauds because I said, ‘Heck, why not a filmmaker? Why do only actors have to have all the glory?’ I’m happy I’m there. Everything I have always wanted to do cinematically and in my hobbies, I have been able to do in my 40s. I feel blessed. It has opened my plethora of dreams and I feel happy that I achieved most. Now, I feel I have to create new dreams and set new benchmarks. I am hugely excited about what can come beyond this year, beyond 47.

Is there a part two to An Unsuitable Boy?
Yes, there is. I have spoken to Poonam Saxena (my co-author), Shobhaa De and my publisher at Penguin who were with me on my first book. I will definitely do another one. But not immediately. There is so much more to talk about, but I will wait a few years. As I expressed earlier, there’s a lot to address like my fears and anxieties. My babies, who have brought a new aura and energy into my life, will feature in part two of An Unsuitable Boy.

You have a new office closer to your home?
Yes, I do because that way I can spend more time with the babies. Besides this office in Andheri, I also have one in Bandra for my digital work. I have made some structural changes around my professional routine so that I can give my kids the maximum time. I am also blessed to have a mother who is completely hands on. She is there for me and my babies 24/7. This makes me feel peaceful and happy. Instead of making Roohi and Yash work around my schedule, I have been a good parent and worked my schedule around them. That way I can maximise my time around them.


His kids — Roohi and Yash (left) and his style is always on point

Is Roohi more possessive about you?
No. I am only trying to get her attention. I have to chase her to give me a hug and a kiss. On the other hand, each time my son spots me, he flashes a big smile and welcomes me with open arms. Only a parent can understand what that feels like. He gives me all the hugs and kisses I crave for. When I walk into the room, Yash runs into my arms. What happens in my heart at that time is something I cannot describe in words. Barring your own children, who else meets you with so much excitement? I’m always running behind Roohi, who is totally her grandmom’s girl. She calls my mother, ‘Mamma’. My son is interested in me and Roohi is interested in my mother. So, we have our balance right.

Finally, what’s with the grey showing at the temples? Is it deliberate?
No! It’s my hair colour that has let me down (laughs).


Karan with his mother Hiroo Johar and his twins, Yash and Roohi

DNA (April 4, 2019)

April 4 will be earmarked as a special day in Karan Johar’s life. The superhit filmmaker-television host-judge and his mother Hiroo Johar are in Singapore today for the unveiling of his wax statue at Madame Tussauds.

KJo makes history as this is the first time ever that Madame Tussauds will have a statue of an Indian filmmaker. This will feature as a world-renowned attraction alongside other prominent personalities from politics and entertainment.

It’s a known fact that Karan’s talent and career extend well beyond cinema. No wonder, he makes for an exciting and entertaining personality to be added to the other iconic international wax figures. His figurine will not just be launched in one city but will simultaneously head out on a tour across Asia to give his many fans across the world a chance to experience the sight. Moreover, his statue will also provide an exciting interactive opportunity for his fans to get up close and personal with him.

Karan says, “I remember visiting the Madam Tussauds museum with my father when I was all of eight years old. It feels like a childhood dream has been realised. Today, my statue will be a part of this prestigious museum and I am vastly excited and honoured! Just the fact that I can bring my babies one day to this museum and they can see their father standing tall amongst so many illustrious and luminous personalities is the most emotional feeling for me. Waxing eloquent is something I have attempted to do for many years now, but being waxed is an altogether different high.”

Dhaval Roy (DNA; August 2, 2018)

Having one’s waxwork at Madame Tussauds, needless to say, is akin to being in the hall of fame. For Bollywood, it started with the megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who was immortalised with a statue in 2000 in London. The list of celebs from the film industry gradually got longer, with a new name joining the ranks every few years. Of late, though, the list of stars getting the waxed tribute is becoming longer and includes younger actors, who haven’t had to wait as long as their seniors in standing tall at the coveted museum. Here’s a look at how things have played out over the years.

THE FIRST TRIUMVIRATE
After Big B became the first-ever celebrity from Bollywood, and living Asian, to be immortalised with a statue, it was another four years before another B-Town name found itself in the prestigious list of personalities. And that was his now-bahu Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in 2004. She was also the first heroine from the industry to find a place there. Thereafter, it was only in 2007 that superstar Shah Rukh Khan debuted there as a sculpture.

THE LIST GREW LONGER
The wait to have another name wasn’t too long this time, as Salman Khan joined his colleagues in 2008. Another addition took three years again with Hrithik Roshan unveiling his statue in 2011. The same year, Kareena Kapoor Khan became the second actress from the industry to have a figure there, too. Madhuri Dixit-Nene made it to the list in 2012. Katrina Kaif completed the hat-trick of female stars but it took her three years to arrive there in 2015.

A LONG WAIT
While these actors’ statues debuted in the city of Big Ben, since 2017 (two years after the last one of Katrina), the frequency of installation has shot up. Anil Kapoor got one in Singapore in 2017. Interestingly, actors have had to wait for decades before they raised the curtain on their wax doppelgangers. Anil, for instance, took approximately 35 years after his breakthrough film Woh Saat Din (1983) and almost 10 years since his Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire (2008) — the statue has his pose from the Kaun Banega Crorepati sequence in it. Or Bachchan, who had been active as a film star for over 30 years. Kajol has had a glorious 26-year-old journey so far and got the wax dedication only in May this year. Others before her, too — whether SRK, Salman, Ash, Kat or Madhuri — debuted in the figurine form after they became iconic names and enjoyed superstardom.

THE NEWER LOT GETS IMMORTALISED
While the Bollywood biggies have had to wait in the wings to debut at Tussauds, that doesn’t seem to be the case for the younger gen. This year began with Varun Dhawan’s signature step from Saturday Saturday from Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania being waxed in Hong Kong. Not only did the Judwaa 2 star become the youngest actor to have a sculpture at the museum’s branch but also the second from Bollywood after AB himself at the location. Varun only has six years of experience as the lead hero. Barely half-a-year later has also come the announcement of Anushka Sharma’s impending sculpture in Singapore that will be the maiden interactive one from Bollywood — after Oprah Winfrey, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lewis Hamilton. The actress and producer will complete 10 years in the industry in December this year. Recently also came the news of Deepika Padukone getting a figurine in London and later in Delhi. Also, she is the first Indian celebrity whose statue will rub shoulders with those of A-listers in the main area (not the Bollywood section), such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Helen Mirren. She is senior to Varun but the Piku girl also has just about 11 years to her credit as a Bollywood actress. The latest joinee is DP’s Padmaavat co-star Shahid Kapoor, who made his Bollywood debut in 2003, and is the senior most contender among the newer lot. Believably, his statue will be unveiled next month before Deepika’s, which will come in January next year.

WAXED TOO SOON?
Even if the popularity of these stars cannot be undermined, they still have a long way to go to reach the iconic stature and achievements that the actors so far at the museum have. Or even that of Karan Johar, whose waxwork was announced this year in April. After all, he entered the industry as a director 20 years ago with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. The collective years of experience of the young stars is equivalent to AB’s and Anil’s individually before they were commemorated at Tussauds. As the number of popular stars increases, it’s only a matter of time before the likes of Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt and their contemporaries will have statues of their own.

WHERE THE WAXWORKS ARE...
Amitabh Bachchan: London and Delhi
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: London, New York and Delhi
Shah Rukh Khan: London and Delhi
Salman Khan: London, New York and Delhi
Hrithik Roshan: London and Delhi
Kareena Kapoor Khan: London, Singapore and Delhi
Madhuri Dixit-Nene: London
Katrina Kaif: London and Delhi
Anil Kapoor: Singapore and Delhi
Kajol: Singapore
Varun Dhawan: Hong Kong
Ranbir Kapoor: Delhi
Madhubala: Delhi

COMING UP
Deepika Padukone: London and Delhi
Shahid Kapoor: To be announced
Karan Johar: London
Anushka Sharma: Singapore

Shahid Kapoor on joining the Bollywood brigade at Madame Tussauds
Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; July 26, 2018)

After Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor is the latest Indian actor to be immortalised through a wax figurine at Madame Tussauds. While the plan was locked around two months ago, he announced the news only earlier this week. The Padmaavat star talks about joining this exclusive club that includes Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Varun Dhawan, Kajol, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Katrina Kaif.

How did things pan out?
It was pretty simple. The museum authorities connected with me and said they wanted to make my statue. I met them and they spent four hours taking various measurements. It was a detailed process and required a lot of time as well as patience. I was more than happy to comply because it’s a huge compliment to have your own Madame Tussauds statue. Now, I’m eagerly waiting to see how it turns out.

Did they give you a few looks to choose from?
They had a lot of ideas and I was okay with most of the things that they wanted. So, everything went pretty smoothly.

What went through your mind during this process?
I was thankful that someone wants to showcase me for eternity. I guess from their point of view, I must have done something substantial to consider me in this capacity. It made me feel good about myself.

How did your family react to it?
I didn’t inform anyone in my family except Mira. When I posted the picture, everyone was like, ‘You didn’t tell us about it’ (laughs). The team didn’t want me to talk about it for some time, so I was waiting for them to give me a go ahead. It happened around two months ago. Now that my mom knows, she is really happy.

What did Mira say when you broke the news to her?
She was extremely happy and wanted to know more about the process. So, when they were taking my measurements, I was on FaceTime with her. They had 50 shades of eyeballs and hair. They laid them out to check which one was closest to mine. Mira was curious to know, so I was showing her how they put 150 dots on my face, made me stand still and took pictures with 2D as well as 3D cameras. She was quite fascinated.

Did she have a say in finalising the look?
They sent options for the pose that I could go for. Mira took the final call on that.

What significance does Madame Tussauds have for you?
It takes our cinema to an international level as it’s a global platform. It helps you connect with people that you probably wouldn’t reach out to, in any other way. I feel blessed to be a part of it. And of course, most dignitaries whose figurines are there at the museum are those whom we have grown up watching and idolising. For me to be featured among them because somebody thinks of me in a similar way is a huge compliment.

Given a choice, whose statue would you rather be placed next to?
If I’m placed next to somebody, it will definitely be someone who’s way more accomplished than me. So I’d just ask them to give me a corner of my own (smiles). Honestly, I’d like to be featured with people who are from my generation because I think that would be appropriate. Varun is the closest, so maybe they should put us together somewhere. I think our statues should be high-fiving each other (laughs).

MUMBAI MIRROR (July 24, 2018)

Deepika Padukone is the newest addition to Madame Tussauds with her wax figure on its way to the museum in London and Delhi. A team of experts met the actress in London to take over 200 specific measurements and photographs to create an authentic likeness.

“I am so delighted. The sitting with the team was a special experience and I look forward to the incredible figure,” the actor said in a statement. The first figure will launch in London early 2019, while the Delhi figure will follow a few months later.

The Delhi museum currently showcases wax figures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan, among others.

Rinky Kumar (DNA; July 2, 2018)

Ever since she made her debut at the age of 17 in Bekhudi (1992), Kajol has essayed diverse characters with aplomb. Whether it was a simple NRI girl in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), an obsessive  lover in Gupt (1997), a tomboy-turned-feminine beauty in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), a loud-mouthed Punjabi in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001) or a manipulative entrepreneur in last year’s VIP 2 Lalkar, she has always taken up new challenges and impressed everyone with her performances.

Recently, the award-winning actress lent her voice to Elastigirl for the Hindi version of Incredibles 2. The English flick has become the highest grosser in the animation genre in India, while its  Hindi version has also contributed a huge chunk to the BO collections. Clearly, the risk has paid off for the effervescent star. She tells us why women have superpowers not just in reel but in real life, too, and how her husband, Ajay Devgn, is more adept at handling their kids — Nysa and Yug. Excerpts…

What was your reaction when you were asked to dub for Elastigirl?
My first reaction was ‘Yay, I’m going to play a superwoman with superpowers’, even though I’m not acting it out. I get all the goodies without doing much, which is a win-win situation for me. I love animation films.

You have played strong female characters in films. Was that one of the reasons you took up this offer?
Yes, of course, I wouldn’t do it if that wasn’t the case. I don’t think they (the makers) would have approached me if it wasn’t such a strong character.

How challenging was it to dub for an animated character?
Dubbing is always a painful experience even when you are doing it for a role that you have played. In this case, it was more difficult because I was doing it for another character. There are details like speech patterns and other aspects that one needs to keep in mind. This was a more technical act than sheer performance.

The movie has been praised as it emphasises on women empowerment and gender equality. Do you think it couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time given the whole ‘Me Too’ movement in Hollywood and the kind of women-centric movies being made in India?
More than women’s empowerment, this movie talks about how all of us (men and women) must share responsibilities. Like Mr Incredible tells his wife in the film, ‘Just do it, so that I can do it better.’ That line made me laugh because it says a lot about sharing responsibility. He always knew that taking care of kids is a tough task, but he didn’t know how tough it was till he had to do it himself. That’s when he realises that it’s not a breeze, it’s not as easy as snapping your fingers. That’s what equality is about. Empowerment is about finding your place in the world and men and women striking a balance when it comes to shouldering their responsibilities.

Did you draw parallels to your own life when you are out for shoots and your husband takes care of the kids?
(Laughs) My husband actually is more efficient than me because my kids too have shown certain superpowers at home that make me wonder how the hell did that happen. He manages them quite beautifully. He’s more adept at handling them.

Incredibles 2 has become the highest-grossing animation film in India.
(Intervenes) And I’m taking credit for it.

The Hindi dubbed version has contributed a huge chunk to the collections. Did you expect it to do so well?
I definitely expected it to do well. I’m so glad that everyone around the country has come around to accepting the fact that animated films are not made for a finite age group but cater to all kinds of people. Everybody can sit down, watch it and have a good laugh. That’s what is so cool about animated films.

Would you dub for a Hollywood film again?
This has been a great experience. I would like to dub again. If it’s about playing a woman again with superpowers, then I would definitely give it a thought (smiles).

You will be seen next in Eela in which you play an aspiring singer. This is the first time you are playing such a character.
I’m hugely excited about it. It releases on September 14. Yes, I play an aspiring singer in it. Women have a superpower, we can micro-manage. We can do things with just one head and a pair of hands that men think they need eight heads and hands to do. Eela celebrates this and is quite awesome.

Last year, you were seen in VIP 2. Do you have any plans to act in a regional cinema again?
I have no barriers in my head when it comes to any kind of film or any language. Having said that, I do feel most comfortable in Hindi.

Your Madame Tussauds wax statue was unveiled recently. You’ve lent your voice for an animation flick for the first time. Are these exciting times for you as an artiste?
Yes, I think I have had exciting times all my life. I’m a pretty happy person. I have a little more to do on certain days but, I like my life the way it is and I love myself every day (smiles).

Harshada Rege (DNA; May 27, 2018)

Kajol has returned from Singapore after unveiling her wax statue at Madame Tussauds. It was a special occasion for the actress not just because it was a big moment for her, but also because she was accompanied by daughter Nysa on the red carpet for the first time. “I was a little stressed. I was like ‘What’s going to happen?’, ‘What are you going to wear’ etc. But Nysa was chilled out. She was the one who was reassuring me and asking me to not worry about it,” reveals the Padma Shri recipient. Kajol spoke to After Hrs about unveiling her waxwork, discovering her fashion fundas, and her upcoming movie, Eela (tentative title).

Did you get to see the statue before the launch?
I saw the statue for the first time in Singapore itself. It was quite amazing. You have people who kind of look like you, but you never find someone with such a close resemblance. The statue has 90 per cent resemblance to me. Nysa loved it. She said, ‘This statue does look like you’.

Your husband (Ajay Devgn) and son (Yug) couldn’t make it for the unveiling. Any plans to get them to see it?
No, officially there’s no plan, but I definitely want them to see it, too. I had sent them a picture and they liked it a lot.

Your husband posted a picture on Instagram and captioned it ‘a silent Kajol’...
(Laughs) Yes. I will have a chat with him about it when I see him.

How was the experience of giving measurements for your statue?
They took about 250 measurements. It was the most exhausting experience ever. They took strange measurements like the distance from my nose to ear. Nobody has ever wanted to know that (laughs). But it was interesting to see how much care they took. They gave me a box of 20 eyeballs and asked me to pick the one that I thought was closest to mine. It was highly confusing.

Often these statues sport iconic looks. Why was this particular outfit picked?
This is a Prabal Gurung outfit that I wore at the Zee Awards last year. They had honoured me for completing 25 years in the industry. It was a big moment for me. And the people at Madame Tussauds also wanted something that coincided with a special phase of my life. Also, the exhibit is made for an international audience and is supposed to have a red-carpet feel. It’s like walking on the red carpet and posing with your favourite actor.

Of late, your fashion choices have won you a lot of compliments.
I don’t think people should take any inspiration from me when it comes to fashion (laughs). I started out in films at the age of 16. That’s probably the time when most girls experiment with their clothes. Time just flew by me because I was busy working. Every morning, I had someone standing there with some outfit and saying, ‘This is what you will be wearing’. So, honestly, there was no time to form an opinion on what I would like to sport or what is my style. Gradually, I decided to find out about my preferences. Now, I have a good idea about what suits me and what doesn’t. It’s something that people develop in a lifetime through various choices, experiments and mistakes as well. Earlier, I didn’t care about it enough to have an opinion. But now I do.

Today, movies like English Vinglish, Mom and Tumhari Sulu are focussing on women and their experiences. They are no longer about young girls and their lives...
Yes, I think they are talked about a lot more. In the past, you have had movies like Raat Aur Din, Mother India and Khoon Bhari Maang. These are just the ones that come to my mind immediately. Some of my mother’s films for that matter, even my aunt (Nutan) has done some amazing movies. So, it’s not a revolution that we are going through, but yes, I definitely think that people are talking about it more.

Go on...
It is now becoming an accepted area and isn’t confined to being an experimental thought anymore. That is a positive change because our audiences have changed. It’s because of them that such films are able to get the financial boost that they need. How long will you continue making movies that don’t give you a certain kind of return? Then they will be stuck with the experimental tag. Whatever we may say about the film industry, at the end of the day, it’s a business. If you are not going to make money on it, people are going to walk out of it.

Unlike earlier, actors now have various other things to contend with like brand endorsements, appearances, and social media presence. Is that a distraction?
It’s become a part and parcel of the profession. I have to say it is tiring. However, what I like about it is that it has increased the longevity of stars today. Because of the many digital platforms that we have and the way media has exploded, nobody is irrelevant anymore. Due to the various options available to us, we have the power to reinvent ourselves with a click of a button. This means failure is a disposable tag, as long as you are willing to work hard for it.

You will be seen next in Eela...
Yes, we finished the film just four days ago. The release date has been finalised, too.

You play an aspiring singer in it. Any such real-life ambitions?
No, I’m strictly a bathroom singer. And J (husband Ajay) says, ‘If I am outside the door, please don’t sing’ (laughs).

Any other projects on the anvil?
I’m going to concentrate on Eela for now. Maybe I will take a breather and then do another comeback (laughs). By now, it’s a pattern if you notice. I think I have made the maximum comebacks.

Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; May 23, 2018)

She’s bubbling with energy. She’s shooting for the climax of her upcoming film at a suburban studio, and the actress is all agog on seeing how the final act is unfolding. Directed by Pradeep Sarkar, Kajol is playing mom to young National Awardwinning Bengali actor, Riddhi Sen, in this film. Yes, this supremely talented actress takes pride in the choice of roles she’s played, but her ultimate high is playing mommy in real life. In a career spanning over two decades, she could have packed in more films, but she explains, “I can’t do just about anything for the sake of being seen on screen.” Yet, she remains hugely popular, and the fact that her wax statue will be unveiled at Madame Tussauds, Singapore (tomorrow) is testimony to that. In a chat with BT, interspersed with a lot of laughs and big bites of a burger, Kajol tells us about her career choices, how her kids deal with the paps, and how the new generation of actors have far more chances to reinvent themselves. Read on…

Tomorrow, you will be striking a pose on the red carpet; the only big difference is that you will be standing next to your own wax statue at Madame Tussauds in Singapore...
It’s a great feeling, I have amazing memories attached to Madame Tussauds. I was 10 years old when my mom took us on a holiday to London. We went to the museum and I remember doing all the touristy things like clicking pictures with David Bowie, Napoleon and Michael Jackson among others. Cut to now, I’m actually part of it, so it is a big deal for me. I will be in Singapore to spend time with my daughter, so both of us will go for the inauguration. My kids haven’t been to Madame Tussauds, but I guess that this generation doesn’t realise what it’s really about. It’s also because they know that they can photoshop their picture next to whoever they want.

We are increasingly seeing Indian celebs and actors being waxed at Madame Tussauds for posterity. Is this indicative of the growing popularity of Indian movies and actors around the world?
Well, more than anything else, it is interesting to see how boundaries are being broken, whether it’s Bollywood stars gaining popularity there, or Hollywood celebs becoming bigger here. It is also indicative of how our cinema is changing. Earlier, we couldn’t imagine that an English film could make the kind of money it makes at the Indian box office today. While we are all so immersed in our Bollywood movies, songs, dances, and our heroes and heroines, what we need to understand is how our audience is changing. With the influence of the digital medium, they are evolving in an interesting way. Today, we can’t get away with mediocre movies. The films we make will be compared with what is being made internationally. We have to step up; else our cinema will come across as shoddy. Maybe 15 years ago, we could have gotten away with mediocrity, but not anymore.

You have been in the movies for 26 years now, but in comparison to many of your contemporaries, the number of films you have done is fewer. Yet, you remain a hugely popular star. What do you think has worked for you?
Honestly, I think that I am still in this industry, because I haven’t done as many films in 26 years. I can’t do just about anything for the sake of being seen on screen. My reason for doing a film can’t be the fact that I haven’t done one in a year. I am happy with my life the way it is. I think that I have had maximum comebacks, and every time I do a film people say, ‘Oh! she is making a comeback!’

Well, maybe you have been way too picky about your roles?
A lot of people come up to me with just an idea; it doesn’t work for me, as I need to read the whole script. There are certain genres that don’t interest me. I don’t want to do a dark film, and I am very clear about it. I don’t like watching dark films and I don’t do films that I don’t like to watch. My work needs to give me a high, or else I don’t see any point in doing it. I am a voracious reader; a good book is like nirvana to me. I can let go of my sleep if I have a good book to read. I read more books than I watch films. I don’t really watch too many films; in that sense, people might think I am illiterate. I need to pick a script and say, ‘Goddamn, I have to finish reading this’. Also, my kids are my life. My daughter Nysa is 15, but trust me, kids never grow up, and my son Yug is eight years old. Of course, it’s absolutely fine to leave your kids home and go to work, and I have done that, but they are my priority. A lot of people have asked me, ‘What do you feel about the compromise and sacrifice?’ I tell them, ‘Trust me, I haven’t compromised. I want to do this’. My kids are fab; I love them as people, too. I have the most amazing conversations with them. I am really lucky that my mom-in-law (Veena), mom (Tanuja), sister (Tanishaa) and Ajay (Devgn) have always encouraged me to go out and work. I love spending more time with my kids; it’s purely been my choice.

Looking back, do you think that actresses of your generation got more time and chances to establish themselves? Today, actresses have a lot more to compete with, they have to be seen and heard more. They are even expected to command a massive following on social media…
I think this is the time when you can keep reinventing yourself. It’s not the time for actors to stay in one avatar. If you think something is not working, you can put on another mask and make it work for you. Earlier, actors had more time to establish themselves and learn on the job. It wasn’t a case of one-movie-make-or-break for us, nowadays it is. At the same time, I think that today’s generation sometimes gives up easily and they think that life is over. They have so many opportunities to reinvent themselves and there is never a dearth of work. I think that if you are willing to work really hard, avenues will open up for you.

Talking about changing times, what are your views on bringing up your children in times of social media and paparazzi culture, given that Ajay and you have been fairly private about your lives?
I find it very intrusive and I try explaining to my kids that there are two sides to this. I tell them that because they are famous, there are things that they can do, which others can’t. But there will also be things that they can’t do, which others can easily do. My daughter has strong opinions and she keeps asking, ‘Why are they after me? Why are they clicking pictures of me while I am walking on the street?’ I tell her that fame has its downside, but there are privileges and opportunities, too, and they have to accept that.

Nysa is on social media, do you feel protective about her? The trolls can be harsh and ruthless…
Honestly, I think that people on social media are far meaner to celebrity kids than they would be to their neighbour’s children. That is something our kids have to deal with and it’s not a good place for them to be in. As parents, we have to ensure that it doesn’t affect them. Cyber-bullying and trolling happen not only to celebrities and their kids, but also to people who are vaguely famous. I keep reminding Nysa… you are beautiful inside out and it doesn’t matter what random people sitting out there think about you. What matters is what you think of yourself, and not what others think about you. After saying it about a million times, I guess it has registered with her.

Do you see a lot of your traits in your children?
Yes, I do. I think Nysa was opinionated since the time she was in my womb. I’m having a problem with facing that aspect of my character in her now. When I was growing up, my mom would always tell me, ‘I hope you have a child who is exactly like you.’ There you go (laughs!).

You are working with director Pradeep Sarkar next, on a film being backed by hubby Ajay. Tell us about it…
I can’t reveal too much, but I will tell you that Eela (her character in the film) is an awesome woman, who is funny and extremely relatable. The boy who is playing my son, Riddhi Sen, has won the National Award for Best Actor this year. He’s a fabulous actor and one of the youngest people to win a National Award. He was so humble and quiet about winning the award, if I had won it, I would be shouting from the rooftops.

Today, there is a growing interest in regional cinema. In fact, some brilliant regional films have swept the National Awards this year. You have done Tamil films in the past, would you be interested in doing more films in other languages? Ajay even backed a Marathi film, Aapla Manus, this year...
I would love to do films in other languages. I have done it before and last year, I did a Tamil film VIP 2 with Dhanush. Of course, as an actor, it’s much easier if you understand the language. I don’t mind doing any film, as long as it is the kind of film that I would like to watch. I know it makes me sound slightly unambitious, and I know that a lot of people might criticise me about this, too. People often ask me, ‘You want to do just this?’ I say, ‘Yes, I just want to do this’. I will do films if I feel like it, and I won’t do it if I don’t feel like it. Nobody else will have to live with my decision besides me, and nobody else has to look at me from the mirror.

Harshada Rege (DNA; May 19, 2018)

May 24 will be a momentous day for Kajol as her wax statue will be showcased for the first time in Singapore. What makes this occasion extra special for her is the fact that she will be joined by her teenage daughter, Nysa, on the red carpet. In January this year, a sculpting team from Madame Tussauds came to Mumbai to take more than 200 measurements of the star, which included details of her eyes and hair. Now, that the statue is ready, the mother-daughter duo will witness its unveiling together. Kajol’s husband Ajay Devgn, however, won’t be able to join the two ladies as he will be busy shooting in Mumbai.

On the work front, the actress will return to the big screen with her next project, Eela, on September 14. The shoot of the Pradeep Sarkar film is currently underway. A source says, “Kajol is excited to see her statue, which will be housed at Madame Tussauds Singapore. This is also a great opportunity for her to spend some time with daughter Nysa, who studies in the island city. So, it works out well for both of them.”

Kajol’s Dilwale co-star Varun Dhawan’s wax statue is also placed under the same roof. She is among the few leading ladies in Bollywood to be immortalised through these works of art. And the actress rightly deserves a place there.

Says the source, “Besides the various accolades and awards that she has received including the Padma Shri, she and her co-star Shah Rukh Khan are the only two actors whose movie (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge) holds the record for being the film with the longest uninterrupted run at a theatre (1,109 weeks), in the history of Indian cinema.”

Hiren Kotwani (DNA; April 19, 2018)

Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in London is one of the most preferred global tourist attractions. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors through the year and is home to the wax works of famous celebrities from various walks of life. While many Bollywood stars have a pride of place there, Madame Tussauds has now selected Karan Johar as the first-ever Bollywood filmmaker to enter the list.

That KJo’s talent and career go beyond just cinema makes him an exciting personality to add to the many other iconic international wax figures at the museum. Interestingly, the filmmaker has been such a popular name that fans and visitors have often enquired about why they had not added his statue earlier.

Taking a cue from public demand, the authorities have decided to ‘wax’ Karan. And the first step began on his recent trip to the UK, with his sittings with Madame Tussauds’ creative directors and the Merlin Studios in London last Thursday (April 12).

Incidentally, 2018 is a special year for the filmmaker as it marks the 20th anniversary of his directorial debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, which starred Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji. The 15th season of his famous chat show Koffee With Karan will go on air this October. While the exact date of his wax figure’s unveiling is yet to be announced, everyone’s looking forward to it.

It will be unveiled in one city, and will then head out on a tour across Asia, so that his many fans get a chance to see it. Moreover, given that Karan is a multi-talented personality, his fans will get exciting interactive opportunities where they can get up, close and personal with him.

More details will be unveiled as the production of this special wax figure is undergoing a complicated combination of traditional sculpting with modern-day technology. It will take about six months to present Karan’s wax work at Madame Tussauds.

Harshada Rege (DNA; January 31, 2018)

Varun Dhawan is the latest to join the ranks of Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Hrithik Roshan, whose statues are a major attraction at Madame Tussauds. The actor’s wax figure is now at Madame Tussauds, Hong Kong. He went through a five-hour long session to provide the right measurements for it. And yes, it has his trademark smile and six-pack abs, too. The actor talks about joining the exclusive club of icons around the globe who have been immortalised through these works of art...

You are the youngest Indian actor to have your statue at Madame Tussauds. How does that feel?
Getting a statue at Madame Tussauds, Hong Kong is a representation of the love and appreciation that has come my way. It’s also a massive honour to be the youngest actor from the Hindi film industry to have a wax figure. This is a dream come true for me. My parents travelled with me to see its unveiling.

How was the experience of getting your wax figure made?
The team is highly professional. The sitting took around five hours and they’ve captured every detail like my eye colour, the shade and texture of my hair. I was surprised when I saw my figure. It’s so real! It even includes my smile and six-pack abs (laughs).

Tell us a bit about it...
It has me in a signature dance move. I have also donated my jeans and a jacket for it!

This year seems to be an exciting one for you in terms of work...
I feel there’s so much that I can do, which I’m not attempting right now. There’s a lot more to explore. I’m excited as 2018 has started on a great note with this honour. Even my film October will release soon. It’s special as I’m trying to do something new in it.

Do you remember your first visit to Madame Tussauds?
I visited Madame Tussauds in London when I was six. It’s massive and has so many lifelike figures displayed under one roof. I remember seeing visitors taking photos with their favourite celebrities.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; October 16, 2017)

MUMBAI MIRROR (Junr 14, 2017)

MUMBAI MIRROR (March 16, 2017)

Shreya Ghoshal has become the first Indian singer to be inducted at the Madam Tussauds museum.

The 33-year-old musician’s wax figure, striking a singing pose, is set to be showcased at the upcoming Delhi wing of the museum. “I am thrilled to be a part of history here and it is an honour to be featured among such talented stars, artistes, historians and renowned celebrities,” Shreya exulted.

The installation will celebrate her 15-year career. “She was one of the most requested figures for us to include in the attraction,” Anshul Jain, Director of Merlin Entertainments India, said. The museum, which will be housed in the Regal Building, will also have figures of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and actors Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 3, 2016)

Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 7, 2016)

Shah Rukh Khan is all set to make his 'wax' presence felt in the Queen's City London.

The actor has a 'double' in Madame Tussauds.

A year ago, he got a chance to shoot inside the 250-year museum which houses his 'duplicate' when the makers got permission to shoot there for the first time ever.

Now, Mirror has learnt that in another first, his statue will be brought out of Tussauds and into the public eye, or more specifically the London Eye. The Giant Ferris Wheel, Europe's tallest at 443 feet, on the South Bank of the River Thames, is the world's tallest cantilevered observation wheel offering a bird's eye view of London.

"It is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the United Kingdom and draws over 3.75 visitors every year. This year, many locals and visitors will get a chance to get up close and clicked with the Badshah," informs a source close to the development.

Shah Rukh was the third Bollywood actor to be waxed after the Bachchans, Amitabh and Aishwarya. His statue was unveiled in 2007 and has him nattily dressed in a black suit.

"He's all set to go in for a wardrobe change and will be wearing the clothes of a character from one of his upcoming films," reveals the source, refusing to say more.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 14, 2016)

Amitabh and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Madhuri Dixit-Nene will soon have company. Sonu Nigam is in line to be immortalised at the Madame Tussauds wax museum. The singer is Bollywood's first non-actor to be waxed.

"Sonu was approached last December, they're expected to arrive in a month to decide on his look and measurements. He is waiting for work on his next album to get over before he focuses on this," says a source close to the singer-composer, who has acted in films like Love in Nepal and Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani.

Priya Gupta (BOMBAY TIMES; March 17, 2015)

DNA (October 15, 2014)

Madame Tussauds has confirmed that Katrina Kaif will be joining the Bollywood brigade in 2015. The actress is currently undergoing various look tests for her wax statue at the museum which already has stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan amongst others.

Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 10, 2014)

Madame Tussauds is considering Katrina Kaif, a British national whose family is settled in London, to join Bollywood divas Aishwarya Rai, Kareena Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit, in their famous wax museum.

A friend of the actress told Mirror that she received a detailed mail from the authorities expressing an interest to install a wax statue of her at their London museum.

Said the friend, "Katrina learnt about it last Sunday, around 2.30 in the afternoon, and is over the moon. She promptly responded to the invite and talks are currently underway with the Tussauds team. However, a final decision will be taken only next week. If all goes well, the within this year, a statue of Katrina's will be unveiled."

Amitabh Bachchan was the first living Asian and also the first star from the Hindi film industry to enter the house of wax in 2000. Interestingly, his daughter-in-law, Aishwarya Rai, was the first Bollywood actress to make it to the elite list four years later and their statues stood shoulder to shoulder.

Aishwarya was followed by Kareena Kapoor whose statue was unveiled in 2011, followed by the Dhak Dhak girl, Madhuri Dixit a year later. The museum also houses wax replicas of Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan.

The actors are usually modelled on a popular character they have played. Kareena, after hours of deliberation chose the Mauja Ay Mauja look from her hit film, Jab We Met. The black and silver outfit gave way to the red RA.One sari which she had worn in the Chamak Challo chartbuster.

According to the friend, Katrina is debating on her look. The actress impressed as a sariclad politician in Raajneeti, became a youth favourite as the Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani teenybopper in short, checked skirts and fluorescent hair bands, was a Chikni Chameli in a half sari in the Agneepath remake and made the country dance to belly dancer Sheila's tunes in Tees Maar Khan.

Any of these could make people wax eloquent.