Showing posts with label Oprah Winfrey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oprah Winfrey. Show all posts
Now, I’ve become a little too careful. But earlier, I’ve made a fool of myself in love-Ridhi Dogra
8:40 AM
After Asur, Ridhi Dogra discusses taking on romantic drama Badtameez Dil, which also throws light on body-image issues
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; June 20, 2023)
“I am all about love,” says Ridhi Dogra gleefully, who has added a rom-com to her resume with Amazon miniTV’s Badtameez Dil. But it wasn’t only love in the air as the actor was juggling it with the shoot of the mythological thriller, Asur. While both shows were intense, the actor admits that playing a naïve romantic woman was tougher than playing a forensic officer. So, how did she straddle the two contrasting worlds? Over to Dogra as she talks about romance, roles and more.
Edited excerpts from the interview.
Badtameez Dil revolves around modern-day love. What is your take on it?
I don’t think love is modern or old, it’s a universal emotion and is always relevant. Love is not so much about the things we do, but it’s about the values that we carry into a relationship. Be it GenZ or millennials or boomers, the key to love is to have the right set of values — integrity, loyalty, trust, friendship and respect. I don’t think swiping left and right [on dating apps] is love. But at the end of the day, everybody is looking for it. We have all become thick-skinned, independent and strong, but I guarantee you everybody is looking for a pair of eyes to connect with.
Would you make a fool of yourself in love?
Why not? Now, I’ve become a little too careful. But [earlier], I’ve made a fool of myself in love. I’ve seen only what I wanted to see. I see the good in people. I was just reading something that Oprah [Winfrey] said: When someone shows you the first time how good they are, why do you not believe them? Why do you have to see it 29 times to believe them? I give people — whether it is friends, colleagues or romantic [partners] — a lot of chances. I keep looking for the good in people.
Asur and Badtameez Dil were shot at different times. Was their back-to-back release a coincidence?
We started shooting Asur a little before Badtameez Dil, and then there was a bit of an overlap. Barun [Sobti] and I have known each other for a few years. When we went to shoot Badtameez Dil, it was as if a portal had opened up — we were laughing and improvising. When we went back to Asur’s shoot later, we would crack up. But since we are both professional, we could [slip into the roles] in a few minutes. We shot both series in 2021, but a lot of work was held back due to the pandemic. It was a bonus for Asur; the team got time to edit it, and by the time it dropped online, AI became a relevant subject.
Which show was more creatively satisfying?
Oh, come on! I am an actor, I can never say this was better than that. I’ve always played strong, opinionated women who stand up for something. [During my television years], channels used to take us to tier 2 and 3 towns where I used to meet a lot of women and homemakers. Early on, I had decided that even if I do less work, I want to play characters that stand for something. That is the way I thought when I did Maryada, Asur, or even A Married Woman.
If both show were creatively satisfying, which one was more challenging?
Badtameez Dil had a completely different lens. I have been around for a while, but I have never had a whole show seen through the lens of love. For me, this was more challenging. I have gone out of my way to make Liz [character’s name] look like she had body-image and self-worth issues. These were not said in dialogue, but reflected through the character. I wanted her to look uncomfortable [with herself], but a third person seeing her will find nothing wrong with her. If I am ever to do a rom-com again, I will do it only if I am able to break some norms with it. We have seen enough stories of women going from ugly duckling to a swan, and as soon as she became beautiful, she got the hero. But I didn’t want to do that.
Kangana Ranaut to share stage with Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey
8:00 AM
The actress is looking forward to an event in the US to promote Gandhian thought as she preps for her upcoming film and wraps up her period drama
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 31, 2018)
Since the last few days, Kangana Ranaut has been chilling at her eight-bedroom Manali bungalow with a picturesque view of the Himalayas. “I love being in the hills and there is something about this place that makes you fall in love with it. Maybe it’s the serenity that feels so surreal. I sent my sister Rangoli a video recently with a self-written quote that stated that time doesn’t roll in space here, it gently caresses her, then kisses and makes love to her,” says Kangana who is enjoying this breather from the city and the glam world.
She informs that a few local fans gather outside her home during the day
hoping for a glimpse of their fave actress and maybe even a selfie with
her. “Sometimes, I wave to them. The tourist season starts in a week’s
time when the place will get crowded and this blessed silence will be
gone. Thank God, I’ll be gone by then,” says the actress who returns to
the Bay on April 2 and will immediately dive into prep for Prakash
Kovelamudi’s upcoming film Mental Hai Kya.In August, she flies off to New Jersey to be a part of ‘Gandhi Going Global’, a two-year initiative to spread Gandhian philosophy through interactive activities, educational programmes, motivational talks and cultural events which culminates on August 18 and 19. There, Kangana, who will be representing India, will rub shoulders with many dignitaries, including former First Lady of the US Michelle Obama, American advocate Martin Luther King III and media proprietor — talk show host-actress-philanthropist, Oprah Winfrey.
“For me, it’s always been about the impact you make on society and how you contribute to it. Sharing the stage with Michelle and Oprah will be inspiring. I’ve never been anybody’s fan but I admire and idolise women like Oprah. Once I get back to Mumbai, I will know exactly what I will be talking on and for how long, depending on which I will prepare my speech,” says Kangana who has read a lot of books on Mahatma Gandhi while growing up, lists him as one of the greatest minds ever. “He was a sensible, intelligent man which is not very common,” she says. Talking about her connect with him she points out that her soon-to-release period drama, Manikarnika - The Queen of Jhansi, promotes khadi and shows the Jhansi Ki Rani weaving it on a charkha as was common in those days. The style icon plans to go desi for the event.
Talking of looks, she sports many different looks in Mental Hai Kya and will have to attend some workshops and do a lot of readings for the film. “I will resume shooting for Manikarnika from April 6 for seven-eight days of patchwork,” says a rejuvinated Kangana who is looking forward to getting back to action.
Meanwhile, she’s found a new love in her nephew Prithvi Raj who she describes as “lovely and cute”. “I’ve never seen life in such a pure form. His anger and joy, smiles and cries are all so pure. I can stare at him all day,” she says.
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