Showing posts with label Medea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Medea. Show all posts
My father and I are control freaks. It’s in a good way-Ira Khan
8:00 AM
Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira Khan talks about making her debut as a theatre director
Hasti Doshi (BOMBAY TIMES; November 21, 2019)
Ira Khan, daughter of actor Aamir Khan, is all set to debut as a director with a Greek theatrical play, Medea. In an interview with BT, the 22-year-old talks about her future plans, which include working in Bollywood and directing her father. Excerpts...
Your father is an actor and we usually see children following in their parent’s footsteps. But you have chosen to be a director. Was acting never on your mind?
I have always been very clear about wanting to get into direction. I do not want to act, as I don’t feel comfortable in front of the camera. Also, I don’t think I am a very good actor. Had I wanted to be one, I would have worked towards it, but I feel that production and direction are more interesting.
What were your childhood aspirations?
They still keep changing. There was a time when I wanted to be a painter, and then a teacher. At one point, I wanted to play football professionally. Then there was a phase when I wanted to be a photographer; in fact, I recently got myself a camera. I have even thought of becoming a farmer and setting up an animal shelter. In short, you name it and I have thought of taking it up as a career!
Having so many aspirations, at what point did you decide to be a director?
I haven’t decided yet, as I am going to be multiple things in life, and for now, I am into direction. I used to be a part of inter-college plays and had even directed this play when I was in college in the Netherlands. When I came back to Mumbai, I took up production work and one day, when I was at Prithvi theatre, I just felt that this stage was perfect to direct Medea. I chose this particular story because its plot and characters are interesting. The story does not belong to this age, yet the issues discussed in it are relevant even today.
How involved are your parents (Aamir and Reena) in your career?
They pretty much let us decide what we want to do. They just make sure that we are doing something good and not just sitting on a couch and watching TV. If there are any questions or suggestions, I do ask them, but otherwise, we are free to choose our own path.
If you get into movies, which genre would you like to direct?
Anything but horror (laughs!). I am very scared of horror films, so I don’t want to touch that genre. I would love to direct an action film.
Any particular actor you would like to work with?
It’s interesting how every time I watch a film, I think of how I would make the actors do certain scenes. So far, there’s no one actor on my mind, I’m excited to direct anybody at this point.
Do you wish to direct your father some day?
Maybe some day, when I have a better understanding of the craft. Working with somebody you know personally can be complicated, and that’s not specifically for my dad, but applies to everyone. I want to be sure of myself before I work with my dad because he is really well read, like everybody else in the family. So, when I’m sure about myself, I will think about directing him.
Being so young, how do you handle actors or difficult situations on the set?
Everybody has been nice to me on the set and they have all taken me seriously. I was worried initially, but there have been no such issues. As long as I am making sense and know what I am talking about, I don’t think that actors really care if I’m young or not.
What is that one quality you have picked up from your father?
My father and I are control freaks. It’s in a good way and I don’t mind being one. Once we are given some work or project, we are focused on it and forget everything else around. Like right now, I am directing this play and that’s all I have been doing for the past few months.
We hear your brother Junaid is interested in acting, is it true?
Yes, he is interested in acting.
You have been quite open about your relationship with musician Mishaal Kirpalani on social media...
I am okay talking about it. These things depend on individuals, whether they want to be open or not is their choice.
Dad has no input, unless I ask for it-Ira Khan
4:11 PM
As Ira Khan gets ready to debut as a director with her first play, she tells us why her father hasn't influenced her consciously, and how she literally doesn't know any of the other star kids
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; November 12, 2019)
She's 21, but looks 16. But other than that, Aamir Khan's daughter, Ira Khan, comes across as knowing her mind well. Though she says she is super shy, she is confident about her skill set, which is right now being put to use to direct a play. Her debut production, the Greek tragedy Medea, written by Euripides, starring Hazel Keech, will premiere in December. The story of a scorned woman who kills her husband's second wife and her own kids to spite him could seem dark to a youngster, but Khan feels she needed to do it, because the innate fight between doing what we want, and doing what is right, is a dilemma everyone grapples with every day. We sat with her over coffee and chatted about the play, her talented father, and her love for a good story.
It's a dark play. Why did it connect with you?
I think there is a lesson there that Euripides is trying to give us, but I won't tell you what it is! You have to watch the play for that. I also think that Medea deals with a very real concern we all have - to do what is right, and what we want to do. It's also relevant — especially since it's a monologue about the responsibility we have towards our kids; we don't even know if they will turn out all right! I don't want to have kids after reading that. I just love a good story. Growing up, I used to spend time with adults, because I wanted to listen to the stories they told me, especially my grandfather.
How did you make sure everyone took you seriously as you directed them?
I didn't have to try too hard; my actors were very good to me. They listened as much as I needed them to. I do have this habit of talking in a baby voice — sometimes it's intentional, sometimes it just happens. So I told myself, "Don't do that!"
What has your father taught you about the movies?
I don't think I have learnt anything from him consciously. Unconsciously, of course. Both my parents have left us to do what we want - when we need any input, we ask for it. So if I ask dad something, he will tell me what he feels.
You're unlike the typical star kid...
I literally don't know any of them. So I have no clue how they are. I know Alizeh Agnihotri, who is Salman's [Khan] niece. I have also hung out with Sarah Tendulkar twice, and though we had a good time, we haven't stayed in touch. I don't think she remembers me. I have played chess with Arjun Tendulkar, and I know he doesn't remember that!
Image: Aamir Khan’s sister Farhat Datta paints poster for Ira Khan’s play Medea
8:23 AM
Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; September 5, 2019)
The poster of Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira’s debut directorial play, Medea, is a painting. And what’s special about it is that it has been painted by her bua Farhat Datta, who is a graphic designer. The poster shows a woman in a black outfit holding a dagger, with a red background making the image fiery. Says Farhat, “Ira told me about this really interesting Greek mythological story on which she was directing a play. I was intrigued. She said she wanted me to make a painting that would be used as the face of the play in the poster and all the publicity material. She had a clear idea about what the artwork should portray. All the discussions and idea exchanges helped me to give form to her vision.”
When asked about the concept, Farhat shares that it portrays Medea, whose husband Jason deserts her for another woman. “Medea is filled with anger and humiliation, which is all-consuming. To take revenge, she resorts to murder. So, the visual had to portray emotion of passion, anger and revenge. The fiery red on one side depicts the anger and heightened emotions, while the other darkened side portrays her mental state, which culminates into murder. The figure also had to project a confident personality,” she explains.
Proud of her niece, Aamir’s sister says that Ira is grounded, hard-working and dedicated. “She was an adorable baby and has grown into a lovely young woman. Her enthusiasm, spirit and ‘nothing is impossible’ attitude is infectious. It inspires me. I lived in the US during a large part of her childhood, but she used to come and spend summer vacations there, where we have celebrated so many of her birthdays. Also, we love similar things like art, playing cards with my mom and also the 70’s TV show, Golden Girls. I wish her all the best on this new venture of hers,” she concludes.
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