Showing posts with label Sharmajee Ki Beti. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sharmajee Ki Beti. Show all posts
A kid changes your life path, not vice versa-Sakshi Tanwar
7:34 AM
From playing an ideal bahu in ‘Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii’ and a timid mom in ‘Dangal’ to essaying the role of a nurse who ruthlessly avenges her daughter’s murder in ‘Mai’, Sakshi Tanwar has made a mark with her performances on the small and big screen. The Rajasthan-born actor, who is single, embraced motherhood by adopting a baby girl in 2018. She spoke to Neha Bhayana about working-mom guilt, tantrums and her parenting mantra
Neha Bhayana (THE TIMES OF INDIA; July 7, 2024)
Being a mom on screen versus being a mom in real life — which is tougher, according to you?
Being a mom on screen is like a cakewalk. You have a script to follow, and you know every single scene that plays out. There are no surprises. In reality, however, there are only surprises, and every day is a new scene and a new script. No matter how many parenting books you read and how many fellow mommies’ advice you take, you are never prepared enough.
Your daughter Ditya is six now. Does she still keep you on your toes?
Yes, in fact, she keeps me more on my toes now than ever before. She is growing up fast and the responsibilities and efforts are increasing proportionately. She wants my involvement in everything. I try to be there for her as much as I can, barring the time I am shooting. That’s when my family steps in and takes over.
What, according to you, is the best part of being a parent? What is the toughest part?
The best part is that you are the centre of the universe for your child. For everything, the go-to person is mumma. You get so much unconditional love. The hugs and cuddles, the non-stop innocent conversations and millions of things bring unmatched joy every day. The toughest part is to find the balance between how much to control and how much to let them be. There is no right or wrong and every parent has a different way of raising the child, but we start comparing and that’s when all balance goes out of the window. I wish we could all be happy with the fact that each child is unique and will eventually be where he or she is supposed to be. Another tough part is to deal with the guilt of not being there when you are working although I still make an effort to be there as much as I can. Also, there are day-to-day challenges that one has to face and immediately find a solution to.
Parenting can get overwhelming even for a couple. Did you face any challenges as a single mom?
Parenting is not easy for anyone. I face the same challenges that every parent does and some more, especially when I am working. But I have an extra supportive family and they are always there to help me out with any situation. I am also fortunate to have very helpful neighbours and friends. My daughter is very comfortable with them. So, I manage between family, neighbours and nannies. It actually takes an entire set of people to bring up a kid — every parent will agree with this. Every day, there is a new challenge, and you keep learning and growing as you try to deal with it, with or without support.
Strict or soft — what’s your parenting style?
A mix of both. I have to play both good cop and bad cop, sometimes at the same time. Different situations require different ways to handle it. So, it’s different each time.
Do tears melt you instantly or are you tough when it comes to dealing with tantrums?
Ditya doesn’t throw tantrums as such. She is a very content child and a very sorted one. So, when she has tears in her eyes, I can’t take it because it means genuine discomfort or hurt.
Is your parenting style similar to that of your parents? What values did they instill which you hope to teach your daughter too?
Yes, my parenting style is similar to that of my parents to quite an extent. Because that’s what I have learnt while growing up. My parents taught me to be grounded no matter how successful I become. I hope I can pass that value on to Ditya. Honestly, if you ask me, there are things that I need to learn from Ditya and I really hope I do.
What do you and Ditya like to do in your free time? Any favourite books or activities?
She loves to pretend play all the time so it’s mostly that activity. She loves listening to songs and we sing along. We also record songs. She also loves when I read story books to her. These days she is hooked to ‘The Magic Finger’ by Roald Dahl. But above all she loves her garden time and spends almost two hours every evening in the garden.
Screen addiction is a huge concern among parents these days. You mentioned in an interview that at the age of four, Ditya did not know about superheroes as she had not watched cartoons. Are you still strict about screen time?
Yes, I still am. But I have started showing her a few cartoons and we have also seen some children’s films. I realized screen content makes up for a lot of their conversations with friends. I realized she and I both have nothing to contribute when screen content is being discussed in our social circle. I am trying to change that, at least for her.
Are you a conservative mom or a cool one? What if little Ditya wants to get a tattoo when she grows up?
I am a mix of both, but more on the conservative side. But I think I will let her get the tattoo.
Do you think modern parents are too involved in their kids’ lives?
Yes, we are too involved. We were brought up very differently. My mom would say “tumse ek nahi sambhala ja raha humne teen teen sambhaal liye aur humne itna kuchh kiya bhi nahi jitna tum karte ho. (You can’t handle one while we took care of three kids without taking as much trouble as you do).” I don’t think my mom ever came to the school for any parent-teacher meeting. I don’t know how they did it, but it was too cool. May be times were different. There are too many expectations from parents now as compared to before. Even schools expect parents to be involved in everything. I see parents doing so much that it makes me feel uncomfortable because I want to find a balance and a viable equation as to how much I should be involved. After all, no matter how much you do it’s never going to be enough.
What’s your parenting mantra? Who has inspired or influenced your choices as a parent?
I have always looked up to my mom for everything. She used to help me in all aspects of parenting and upbringing. I used to just follow her advice in everything. Now that mom is no more, I let Ditya guide me. The only mantra is that each child is unique and has his or her own path. You can’t actually decide anything for anyone. But as parents we think it’s our moral responsibility to shape our kid’s life as per the given norms. I make that mistake too, sometimes, but that’s what I am working on. A kid comes to change your life path and not vice versa. If only we would accept and follow it … parenting would be a lot easier!
Did playing the mom of a teenager in ‘Sharmajee Ki Beti’ make you concerned about how you will deal with tantrums when your daughter is a teen? Did you relate to the struggles of your character as you too are a working mom?
Tantrums are always a concern, no matter what the age is. I have seen kids rolling on the floor in a mall for something they want and parents not agreeing to their demands. But I have heard teenage tantrums are something else only. My character Jyoti is a working mom to a teenage girl. She is caught between her own dreams and her duties as a mother. She has a lovely family and a very supportive husband, but she is also always struggling with the tantrums and expectations of her daughter. She is also guilty of not being able to give enough time to her daughter. It’s a very common scenario and a lot of working moms will identify and relate to it. Tahira Kashyap Khurrana has beautifully penned this character and directed it with so much sensitivity and humour that it makes a place in your heart immediately. So far, I have been lucky that I haven’t dealt with any tantrums as such with Ditya. And I hope I continue to be lucky in this even when Ditya is a teen.
I do relate to the struggles of a working mom though I am a very different type of working mom. I don’t go to work every day and I can plan my shoot timings as per her need. I take up one project which goes on for a month or two and then I am totally free and available for my daughter. So, I am a mix of a working and non-working mother.
I love holding Tahira Kashyap Khurrana's hand, which I must say is a strong one-Divya Dutta
3:48 PM
Leading Tahira’s maiden feature Sharmajee Ki Beti, Divya on how female gaze was required to explore the stories of women’s ambitions and single moms
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; July 1, 2024)
When Tahira Kashyap Khurrana began narrating Sharmajee Ki Beti to Divya Dutta, the actor realised something—no character in her 30-year career unearthed the crazy side to her. In the role of Kiran Sharma, a Patiala-born woman who feels lonely and unseen in the bustling city of Mumbai, the actor found a character who is whimsical and wise.
“Kiran has a thing for fantasizing. In those fantasies, Tahira made me do crazy stuff. For instance, once Kiran fantasizes that she is a superwoman saving someone,” laughs Dutta.
Many would agree that in the Prime Video movie, also starring Sakshi Tanwar and Saiyami Kher, Dutta’s track has a lasting impact. She saw it first-hand at the film’s première last week. “I was astounded to see my male friends crying. A friend said, ‘I want to give you a tight hug.’ We all need that niceness and warmth.”
While talking about building her character, Dutta cannot emphasize her first-time director’s prowess enough.
“Tahira narrated it with such intricate details that I felt I was watching the film. You always feel there is something that can be added or tweaked in a script. But this one was perfect the way it was. There was the excitement and nervousness of working with a new director; it is their vision you follow and their hand you’re holding. Tahira exudes a lot of confidence. While working, she’d know exactly what she wants. I love holding her hand, which I must say is a strong one.”
What also made Kashyap the perfect fit were the lived-in experiences she brought to the story about five women. “Usually, I would say, ‘Let’s not talk about male and female directors. Let’s talk about a good or bad director.’ But in this case, because we’re talking about a subject like periods, I think Tahira was the best [fit]. Even today, when we buy a sanitary napkin, the chemist covers it with a piece of newspaper. The film talks about a single mother, about how women downplay themselves in a relationship. Sometimes, an ambitious, working woman has to downplay herself. No one shows it. It was so enriching to see such diverse characters in a frame.”
Like her character, Dutta too moved to Mumbai from Punjab, albeit 30 years ago. Over the years, she has maintained a balance of mainstream and unconventional projects.
She reflects, “When you come to the industry, you think you will take the world by storm. But then reality sets in. A strong support system matters in such times. In my case, it was my mother. She’d tell me, ‘Just add the X-factor to yourself. Then they will write [strong] roles for you.’ I see that happening now.”
When I saw a jam-packed theatre in a film festival for Sharmajee Ki Beti, calculations fail ho gaye mere-Tahira Kashyap Khurrana
9:38 AM
Excited about the release of her next directorial outing, Khurrana says she just wants her project to be seen and respected
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 1, 2024)
Tahira Kashyap Khurrana is awaiting the release of her next feature film as a director. And with the kind of response Sharmajee Ki Beti has fetched so far at select screenings, she wants to reach out to more people, regardless of the medium at this point. “A lot of things are happening right now [about the release]. We have been getting so much love and appreciation. I don’t know where it will release, but I can see momentum picking up,” says the 41-year-old.
So does the medium — OTT or theatre — not matter to her at all? “I am okay with either,” says Khurrana, adding, “Jab doosron ki film aati hai, tab aap calculations (regarding numbers, profit-loss, etc.) lagaate ho. But jab apni film aati hai, aap dil se poochte ho... When I went to a film festival and saw a jam-packed theatre, calculations fail ho gaye mere. After two screenings, people wanted another one. These are moviegoers who enjoyed it in a theatre. I will be grateful wherever it comes, and pray that it gets love and respect.”
She adds that all she wants is for the audience to watch her film: “I value theatre-going audience as much as OTT audience. A piece of art needs to be seen. Artiste mehnat karta hai... na dikhe toh takleef hoti hai. I just want it to be seen by a large audience.”
Nobody is going to spend money just because I am someone’s wife-Tahira Kashyap Khurrana
9:36 PM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 29, 2023)
Tahira Kashyap Khurrana was left shocked with the thunderous applause and standing ovation she received for her debut feature film, Sharmajee Ki Beti. After working on it for the past six years and jumping over several hurdles, the writer-director’s film was screened at the recently held MAMI film festival in Mumbai.
“It was surreal. It (making the film) took a long time, I’m just hoping that it gets love and respect. I wanted the film to be a joyful experience for everyone watching it, including those who made it. All that energy was reflected in the film,” she shares.
Married to actor-singer Ayushmann Khurrana, Tahira is proud that she didn’t use her connections in the industry to make the film as she wanted to forge her own path. The 40-year-old says, “I won’t say temptation weren’t there to exploit a certain relationship, but that’s not how we (Tahira and Ayushmann) began our relationship. I wanted [to work with] people, who had zero interest in getting something out of it and had full faith in my capabilities.”
Sharing her experience trying to get producers onboard for his film, Tahira says it is tough to get money from anyone, irrespective of one’s connections. “Aaj ke time pe kisi se do rupaye nikalwana mushkil hai, this was crores of money. Nobody is going to spend money just because I am someone’s wife or if the product wasn’t good! There was no give and take. Even if someone made my project, I won’t push my husband to do something for them. It was very clear [from my end] and that’s the conscience I am going to live with for the rest of my life,” she signs off.
(Crisp) Movie Review: SHARMAJEE KI BETI by FENIL SETA
10:59 AM
Sharmajee Ki Beti marks the directorial debut of Tahira Kashyap Khurrana, wife of Ayushmann Khurrana. The film is about three women, who share the surname Sharma, and their bond with their respective daughters. This is a breezy, light film that speaks about everyday problems, happiness and struggles. There’s a lot of humour that keeps the interest going. Tahira's direction is neat and uncomplicated. Her writing has a fresh appeal. The track of the 13-year-old girl is very novel and amusing and at the same time, it is touching. The track of the bored housewife is the most relatable. The cricketer track also has its moments. The conflicts, however, are not as strong as one would have expected, in the second half. Also, to see a 13-year-old delivering so many punchlines is difficult to digest. The overuse of background score is also a downer. Speaking of performances, Sharmajee Ki Beti belongs to the child actor, Vanshika Taparia (Swati Sharma). She’s terrific. Arista Mehta (Gurveen Sharma) also leaves a huge mark. From the adult actors, Divya Dutta rocks the show and she’s simply adorable. The same goes for Sharib Hashmi. Sakshi Tanwar is dependable as expected. Saiyami Kher, too, does well. Ravjeet Singh (Roshan) looks dashing and is fine. Sunita Malhotra (Divya Dutta's mother) brings the house down. Parvin Dabas and Sushant Ghadge (Chotu) are fair. All in all, Sharmajee Ki Beti raises important issues and also entertains.
My rating - *** out of 5!
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