Showing posts with label Sonali Kulkarni. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sonali Kulkarni. Show all posts
Teen eye-rolls and door-slamming are signs that the child is forming opinions-Sonali Kulkarni
9:33 AM
Sonali Kulkarni was just 16 and waiting to give her first audition in 1992 when an elderly woman looked at her and said, “dark-skinned girls don’t look good on camera”. Despite the humiliation, she stuck around and bagged the lead role. She has since worked in more than 70 Hindi, Marathi and Telugu films, including commercial hits like ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ and critically-acclaimed ones like ‘Doghi’. Kulkarni, who is also a writer and producer, spoke to Neha Bhayana about motherhood and the non-negotiable rules at home
Neha Bhayana (THE TIMES OF INDIA; October 25, 2026)
Your daughter Kaveri is 15. How are you dealing with the eye-rolls, door-slamming, and teen attitude?
I was a bit taken aback initially. I was not used to that confidence and that fire. But after giving it more thought, I realized that she has a right to have her own opinion and to disagree. So, I am not scared of those eye-rolls and door-slamming now. In fact, I like it because I have been there and done that. This is like a replay (laughs). I feel that every teenager will go through this stage, and no parent should try to stop it or make them behave. They are gaining confidence and also assuring themselves that they can have an opinion, which is fantastic. I am happy that Kaveri is a typical teenager right now… It’s not necessary that she’s not listening to me by putting her headphones on, turning around, and showing me her back. Besides, the frequency of “Oh sorry” and “I love you” has increased for sure (laughs).
What’s your trick for getting Kaveri to listen to you?
I think the key is not a trick; it is transparency. I try to be as transparent as possible while communicating with her. I listen to her sensitively and genuinely when she is telling me something. I rarely continue my own work or keep scrolling while she is talking. It’s beautiful to see someone flower in front of you, so it is important to hear what they have to say. Similarly, when I have something to tell, it is her turn to listen to me. There are times when I tell her that something is not good for her. For example, recently some of her friends were getting into hair care routines inspired by social media. So, I had a chat with her about this, and she got the point. A mother’s word is better than online suggestions.
You had given birth to Kaveri in your late 30s. Do mature mothers fare better, or do they face more challenges?
There are challenges, but I don’t think a few years here and there make a difference. The early 20s are a time when mothers are still aspiring professionals, and for them it’s an issue if they need to take a break in their career. It can be a setback in progress. Even though I was surprised when I conceived, I was happy. Incidentally, I was working on three films (‘Singham’, ‘Deool’ and ‘The Good Road’) at that time. I had always wanted to be a mother. I wanted to have many children of my own and adopt as well. As I was in my 30s, I was far more aware and settled. I wanted to have a natural delivery, so I did all the pregnancy workouts and stretches to stay fit, and all went well.
You worked through your pregnancy and even took your newborn to the sets. Is the film industry supportive of new moms? Recently, Deepika Padukone faced backlash for asking for an eight-hour workday. What are your views?
I did work through pregnancy and resumed again when Kaveri was five and a half months old. I think the film industry is filled with empathetic and supportive people. People do pass insensitive remarks if someone has put on weight. Body-shaming is very wrong, and people are waking up to that. It is unfortunate that the discussion of shift hours became such a burning issue. Maybe there was a miscommunication, and a superstar like Deepika will definitely be given everything that she deserves willingly and lovingly.
I believe you had wanted to do B.Ed and teach small kids. Do you like teaching your own daughter too?
Yes, I wanted to get into formal teaching. But I don’t teach my daughter as such. I focus on teaching her life skills. I have the highest respect for teachers who teach her at school. I have my favourite teachers, but I love my mother abundantly. Similarly, I would love Kaveri to meet fantastic teachers in her life, and I want to be there for her too. I teach her things that might seem silly. Recently, on Dussehra, I drew the traditional Saraswati symbol and Apta tree leaves on our blackboard. In the Marathi community, we exchange these leaves as a symbol of gold to wish each other wealth and prosperity. To my surprise, in the evening, Kaveri told me, “Aai, did you see? I have made Saraswati next to your Saraswati.” It was heart-warming. I love teaching her small things, be it rangoli, traffic rules, or civic sense. You don’t have to actually verbalize or demonstrate what you are teaching. You just have to be the person you want them to become. Kids learn by observing.
You have been interviewing children for your new podcast ‘Half Ticket Full Nagrik’. Why did you want to make young voices heard?
I have always wanted to make films for kids. There are not too many Indian movies or plays for kids. And the plays running are dated at times. So, I had been thinking about these things and thought of starting a podcast for kids to start with. I didn’t want to interview celebrity kids, as they get enough attention anyway, not just from the media but from their own parents too. I wanted to talk to kids from different backgrounds and understand what they think, what they feel, and the aspirations they have. I met one girl who was a star student. Then there was a child who had no qualms about religion. He was a Muslim, but he was talking passionately about Diwali and Dahi Handi. There was a girl whose parent is a lesbian, and she was okay with it. The innocence of children interests me. I wish we could protect this innocence and naivety. As we grow and become professional and smart, we lose our naivety. My effort is to conserve that innocence and offer them a protective hand via my podcast.
Modern parents are increasingly taking their kids’ opinions into consideration while making decisions. While some say this is great for the child’s confidence and decision-making skills, others feel this practice has spoilt children. What’s your take?
I love this question. Thank you for asking this. Yes, the opinions are divided. I am of the belief that we needn’t burden the child. You don’t need to ask your child which car we should buy, or whether we should take a farmhouse or not.
Just for the sake of equality, we cannot pressure kids to make choices and make them feel responsible for decisions. Having said that, I have also seen parents not giving their children choices when it comes to selecting their career or the classes they attend. That is wrong. Sometimes, parents change a child’s school for a better board or better opportunities. But is the child asked if they are ready to leave their present friends and face a new community? These are questions we must ask. It’s nice to involve kids in decisions about their lives. Say we have set aside Rs 5000 for their birthday. We can tell the child that and ask them whether they would like to invite friends home or distribute chocolates at school. It’s very important to make the child feel heard.
Colourism and body-shaming are still rampant in our society. How, according to you, can parents teach their kids to be kind, respectful, and not have biases?
It is important to instill in children that colour or body size do not matter and that everyone is beautiful. Somebody’s writing is beautiful, somebody’s singing is beautiful, somebody’s nature is beautiful. But I feel that more than kids, we need to teach adults these things. Kids are going to follow what they see. We have so many ads that say that you are not your colour. It’s so unfortunate that some people still believe that people with lighter complexions are better looking. We have open chats about these things with Kaveri.
Are there any non-negotiable rules in your house?
We must finish whatever is on the plate. We must eat whatever is cooked at home. We are okay to skip a meal or snack (I don’t force food). We also have to help with laying the table, making the bed, and everyone has to wash their own undergarments. So, even if we have a cook or we have help at home, Kaveri takes part in everything. Helping is a way of co-existing. I also feel that kids should know their mother tongue, so I speak in Marathi at home, and I expect answers in Marathi.
How Nana Patekar took care of pregnant Sonali Kulkarni while promoting Deool
10:50 AM
As told to Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; October 9, 2026)
I have worked on three projects with Nana sir — Taxi No 9211 [2006], the Marathi films Deool [2011], and Dr Prakash Baba Amte [2014]. I went from being scared of someone called ‘The Nana Patekar’ to becoming someone so close to him that I started calling him Nana sir. My relationship with him had a beautiful arc — of friendship and admiration, to the extent of making fun of him. He was a dear friend, and had complete authority to call me anytime.
His acting always felt unscripted. I remember a scene from Taxi No 9211 where my character was leaving [him for good]. By the time his character rushed to see me, the train had left. The longing, pathos, and feeling of loss on his face said a lot about him as an actor. He was funny in films like Welcome [2007]. I always complimented him, saying, ‘Sir, I really like your comedy’, and he enjoyed [hearing that]. He loved, splurged money [on others], and complimented them abundantly. Nana sir lived his life on his own terms.
[I remember] I was pregnant during the promotions of Deool. When he got to know about it, he turned so soft with me. He took care of me during the film’s music launch, and I was almost eight-and-a-half months pregnant then. Nana sir laughed and said, ‘This is the first time I am posing with a heroine who is pregnant’.
His heart beat for farmers, and he did a lot of work for them through his NGO, NAAM Foundation.
Bohot pyaar diya hai Nana sir ne. He would have hated to be ill or hospitalized. He was always fit and passionate. I’m happy for him because now he will get to meet his dearest mom again. I’m still unable to believe that we are talking about Nana sir, not because he has won an award or so, but because he’s not there with us. It will take me some time to process this.
Sonali Kulkarni shuts down rumours about Nani's The Paradise getting delayed
10:31 AM
Nishad Neelambaran (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 10, 2026)
Telugu superstar Nani’s much-awaited film, The Paradise, recently made headlines with reports that the release might be pushed due to pending work on the climax and in post-production. However, Nani’s co-star Sonali Kulkarni, exclusively spoke to HT City and clarified that the film will release as per schedule on September 24, 2026: “Yes, it is our promise. We have also announced it on our social media. We are not delaying the release, and we are releasing on the 24th.”
About what caused the delay, the National Award-winning actor is quick to mention that the delay was only because the director wanted to put the best version out there for the audience to watch.
“All I can say is credit to my director’s vision. Srikanth is very particular about the details. The delay was because he wanted to entertain the audience with complete conviction. He didn’t want to compromise on anything. But we are releasing on the 24th, finally,” she explained.
Sharing the screen space with Nani, Kulkarni, 51, is in awe of how humble the actor is. “It was a joy working with Nani. He is a team member. He never treated himself like a superstar. He is not from a filmy background, but he has been an assistant director, and I felt that I was seeing a replica. I am a unit person on set. We bonded on many things. He is a director’s actor. He is humble and carries no weight about his stardom,” said an elated Kulkarni.
The growing anticipation for the film has fans and netizens drawing many parallels between Kulkarni’s character and Ramya Krishnan’s character as Sivagami in S S Rajamouli’s Baahubali series. Dismissing any commonality, Kulkarni mentioned that this is an absolutely fresh character.
“I wish I could tell you a lot more, but you will not be able to compare my character with anybody. This is something you have never seen before... Not necessarily a mother, because nobody called me a mother on the set,” shared the Dil Chahta Hai (2001) actor.
Besides, the actor also exclusively shared an update on yet another Bollywood release. Directed by Madhur Bhandarkar, Kulkarni will also be seen in The Wives Of Bollywood. There have been no formal updates on the film’s release yet; however, Kulkarni shared that the Madhur Bhandarkar directorial will hit the theatres this year. “A fortnight back I saw the trailer, and in their language, it is kick-ass (laughs). It should come in 2026 for sure,” she ended.
Dil Chahta Hai has given me my identity-Sonali Kulkarni
9:35 AM
Shreya Varanasi (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 31, 2026)
For Sonali Kulkarni, Hyderabad has become more than the backdrop to her latest film. Nearly two years into her journey with The Paradise, the actor is learning Telugu, finding comfort in pappu and discovering a new sense of belonging in an industry that has welcomed her warmly. As she makes her Telugu debut in Srikanth Odela’s film alongside Nani, Sonali reflects on matching the intensity of the team, the enduring legacy of Dil Chahta Hai and the many characters she is still eager to inhabit.
The Paradise schedule has left Sonali little time to explore Hyderabad, but the experience has nevertheless given her a strong sense of belonging. “The amount of affection and warmth I keep getting from the Telugu industry — I am overwhelmed,” she says. “The little world I have experienced here feels like paradise, literally.”
Food, however, has offered its own introduction to the city. “I am dying to have some double ka meetha! Earlier, I kept calling it shahi tukda and people here just wouldn’t understand what I was talking about!” she laughs.
On set, it is the pappu that has become her comfort food. “I don’t eat much rice, but I’ve been allowing myself a little indulgence. Maybe twice a week, I’ll have some rice with pappu. It’s become my little comfort food during the shoot.”
‘The energy of the entire team pushed me to give my everything’
Sonali says she was surprised when she was approached for The Paradise, particularly because the team saw her beyond the image created by films such as Dil Chahta Hai, Taxi No. 9211: Nau Do Gyarah and Mission Kashmir.
“When I heard the story, I was all ears. The story has drama and emotions. It’s super special. I just wanted to be part of that story. The intensity Nani and Mohan Babu sir bring to a scene, the passion Raghav brings, and the innocence and beauty Kayadu brings — for me, it was absolutely demanding and challenging to match that energy everywhere,” she says.
‘Dil Chahta Hai has given me my identity’
Twenty-five years after Dil Chahta Hai, Sonali still finds the milestone difficult to process. Looking back, she remembers the film as “a huge gang of friends making something beautiful” rather than a project anyone expected to become a cultural touchstone. “Dil Chahta Hai has given me my identity. Back then, nobody knew that it was going to create such history or records,” she says.
Its influence, she adds, continues to travel across generations. “My daughter watched it last year. She loved it. She was just 12 years old when she watched it. I am so happy that she liked it,” she shares.
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There’s so much I want to explore as an actor. I feel like I’m entering a very exciting phase of my career. I would love to play an athlete on screen because sport has always been a very real part of my life
- Sonali Kulkarni
Sonali Kulkarni opens up about childhood humiliation: "I was not a beggar"
8:46 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 19, 2026)
Sonali Kulkarni has opened up about painful childhood memories while speaking about her new podcast Half Ticket Full Nagrik, a show aimed at giving children and young adults a platform to express themselves and be heard with dignity.
The actress, who recently went viral after criticising massive traffic congestion on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, also reacted to the opening of the long-awaited Missing Link route, saying commuters are finally getting some relief after years of delays and bottlenecks.
Although she has not yet travelled on the newly opened stretch, Sonali said people who have used the route are stunned by the reduced travel time between Mumbai and Pune. “People are reacting with disbelief — ‘Aise kaise ho sakta hai? Itni jaldi hum kaise pahunch sakte hain Mumbai ya Pune?’” she said.
While discussing Half Ticket Full Nagrik, the actress got emotional. Speaking about why the podcast matters to her, she recalled incidents from her childhood that left a lasting impact. One memory involved being humiliated at a birthday party after innocently complimenting the food. “Please be gentle — I was just a child,” she said, recalling how an adult assumed she was indirectly asking for more food when she was simply expressing appreciation.
She also remembered accompanying her father to collect his salary from a business associate’s home — an experience she says shaped her understanding of dignity and self-worth from a young age. “I was not a beggar,” Sonali said, remembering how she would stand outside for hours while adults ignored her. “No child should ever have to ask for something they rightfully deserve and then be treated like a beggar.”
Through her podcast, she hopes to create conversations where children are treated with empathy instead of being dismissed as too young to have opinions. “I am extremely fond of young people. They have original ideas, they think out of the box, they are fearless and innocent,” she said.
“But many adults are quick to dismiss children when it comes to family decisions, finances, travel plans, or even everyday conversations. They bring peace, joy and harmony into the world. We must protect their innocence, but also give them a seat at the table,” shared Sonali.
I can’t even tell you what women did because there were no washrooms on the bridge-Sonali Kulkarni
11:03 PM
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; May 2, 2026)
Sonali Kulkarni was stranded in traffic for nearly five hours on Mumbai’s Mankhurd bridge on Wednesday night while travelling to Pune, as severe congestion on roads leading to Navi Mumbai brought vehicles to a standstill. The Dil Chahta Hai actor took to social media to describe the ordeal, calling the situation “scary.” Now in Pune, Sonali speaks to Bombay Times about the experience.
‘The traffic team could not reach, they were helpless’
Opening up about why she chose to speak out on social media, Sonali says, “It was genuinely out of concern and fear. I felt like reaching out on social media because there were many people who were stuck. Some people who were going home chose to walk down the bridge. I took a walk for a kilometre, back-and-forth and saw that there were kids crying and people were hungry. There was no food or water. I can’t even tell you what women did because there were no washrooms on the bridge. The only positive point was that the traffic control room where I called was responding. The officer there was patiently answering all questions. The engineering team and the traffic team could not reach due to the situation, they were helpless. It was an extremely painful experience.”
‘I was not fighting with the government'
Clarifying her intent, Sonali emphasised that her voice came from conviction rather than confrontation. “So far, I feel that whenever I have raised a voice, I was convinced about it. I was convinced about the need to do it. I was not protesting, neither was I vehemently fighting with the government. I was stating facts about our harrowing experience”.
‘As a metro, we need to think about civic planning and what we lack’
Concluding with a broader reflection—something she has often articulated through her public interactions, the actor called for accountability and better planning in a growing metropolis.
“I think as a metro, we need to think about civic planning and what we lack. What if someone had a medical emergency, what would they do? We need to address this. What do we do about this and who do we ask? I think as a citizen who is sincerely paying taxes and showing trust in the government, we deserve these answers. The public emotion was amazing, there was nobody shouting, screaming and there were no quarrels. Many people had shut down their vehicle because there was fuel limitation. I feel resilience is not a virtue, but it is helplessness.”
Shalini Passi to make big-screen debut with Madhur Bhandarkar's The Wives
9:18 AM
Komal RJ Panchal (MID-DAY; September 12, 2025)
Most will agree that there was only one take-away from Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives — that Shalini Passi is thoroughly entertaining on screen. Since the third season premièred on Netflix, Passi has received widespread attention, be it for her fashion choices, her art collection, or her life mantras. Now, she is making her big-screen debut with Madhur Bhandarkar’s The Wives.
What made her take up the extended cameo? The chance to work with the National Award-winning filmmaker, said Passi. “I have admired Madhur Bhandarkar ji’s films over the years. His stories are iconic. We also have several friends in common, so I had met him socially before. When the role was offered to me, I felt it would be a great experience,” she told mid-day.
Starring Sonali Kulkarni, Mouni Roy, and Regena Cassandrra, The Wives delves into the glamorous yet tumultuous lives of star wives. In a way, the film almost echoes the reality show. Passi reflected, “Art is always a depiction of life. Like all his other films, there are elements inspired by reality. How much of it relates to the web show or life, only time will tell.”
For now, the socialite-turned-OTT star is thrilled to transition from the web to the big screen. Passi confessed she realised the scale of her debut only when she reached the set. “I didn’t realise it was going to be a theatrical release. Now that it is, I’m excited to see myself, but even more eager to see the film as a whole. On set, everything was taken care of, and I was so happy with my vanity van — it felt like a little cocoon in the studio. Mouni Roy looks fabulous and is a wonderful human being. I also met Sonali Kulkarni for the first time.”
Dil Chahta Hai was a trendsetter, not just in storytelling but also in terms of work ethics-Sonali Kulkarni
8:35 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; February 28, 2025)
Sonali Kulkarni has worked across Marathi and Hindi film industries, and has now ventured into Tamil cinema. As films from the south continue to gain popularity, fuelled by the pan-India trend, she shares her thoughts on Marathi cinema and how different language films are coexisting in our country.
‘I believe there is already a lot of pressure on Indian cinema’
Sonali believes that one shouldn’t compare different language films, because what really matters to the audience is the story. “Let’s not rush to compare different languages. We should appreciate films as a whole. What truly matters is enjoying the story being told, rather than the language in which it’s told. Right now, I believe there is already a lot of pressure on Indian cinema across various languages, and I’m glad to see how they’re coexisting rather than competing,” says Sonali who's an author and recently released her book.
‘Marathi cinema has always stood out for its compelling stories’
Talking about Marathi cinema, the actress who featured in films like Deool and Gulabjaam, adds, “Marathi cinema has always stood out for its compelling stories on meaningful topics. It has consistently won national and international awards. We have incredible writers and actors in Marathi cinema, many of whom have contributed to Hindi films as well. I don’t feel burdened by comparisons; instead, I think we should celebrate the diverse and rich content coming from all languages. Ultimately, it’s the entertainment that should take centre stage, not any one language.”
‘I love it when people still greet me with the song Woh Ladki Hai Kahan’
She’s been around in the industry for over three decades, and even today, Sonali is recognized for her iconic song Woh Ladki Hai Kahan from Dil Chahta Hai.
“I have no issues with it,” she says, adding, “I love it when people still greet me with that song. It’s been more than 20 years since the film, but it doesn’t feel like that at all. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The film was a trendsetter, not just in storytelling but also in terms of work ethics. We started on time, received scripts a day ahead, knew our scenes, and finished on schedule. There were no last-minute surprises.”
Nitin Desai death case: "Undeclared boycott of him continued even after his death"
8:30 AM
A close associate rues that very few of those associated with Nitin Desai from Bollywood attended his funeral
Anurag Kamble (MID-DAY; August 5, 2023)
As per his wishes, art director Nitin Desai’s last rites were performed at the helipad at his studio in Karjat, on Friday. Desai was given a 21-gun salute by the Raigad police as per the instructions of CM Eknath Shinde. Actor Aamir Khan, directors Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Ashutosh Gowarikar and actress Sonali Kulkarni were the only celebrities spotted at the funeral.
Some other artistes from the Marathi film industry attended the funeral. However, no other associate of his from Bollywood attended it. Desai died by suicide at his studio on Wednesday morning. His funeral was arranged on Friday as his son and son-in-law were to arrive from the USA. Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar paid their respects to Desai at JJ Hospital on Friday morning. After that the mortal remains were taken to N D Studio, Karjat.
From 1 pm, the body was kept at the Agra fort set that was used in the movie Jodhaa Akbar for people to pay their last respects. Besides the actors mentioned, no other Bollywood stars came to pay their respects. “Dada (Nitin Desai) gave stars red carpet treatment. He never thought twice before fulfilling their wishes, be it about food or any other luxury,” said a close associate of Desai on condition of anonymity.
“Dada always remained a close friend to many stars. We had expected most of Bollywood to come, but the undeclared boycott of him continued even after his death,” he added.
Nitin Desai cremated amidst his opulent sets with police honours
8:25 AM
Umesh K Parida (THE TIMES OF INDIA; August 5, 2023)
Navi Mumbai: Art director Nitin Desai was cremated on Friday evening amidst the sprawling and opulent sets he created at his studio in Karjat in deference to his last wishes.
Politicians Vinod Tawde and Kirit Somaiya attended the funeral at N D Studios along with film personalities Aamir Khan, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ashutosh Rana, Mukesh Rishi, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sonali Kulkarni and Aadesh Bandekar. Aamir Khan led the movie fraternity in paying tributes before the cremation close to the helipad inside the premises. He said, “I cannot believe such an incident happened.”
Tawde personally monitored the funeral arrangements, which included a police gun salute in the presence of Raigad SP Somnath Gharge. One of Desai’s assistants (from 1999-2002) turned politician, Jitesh Kamath, recalled Desai’s dream to raise ground-plus-four storey sets on the 52-acre studio campus.
Jitesh Kamath said, “There was a time when at least one set at any of the studios in Mumbai including Film City would be booked in Desai’s name. He had dreamt of something big and hence set up this studio to fulfil his wish.”
A close friend, Eknath Kadam, said, “ND Studio has catered to over 150 actors. I spent time with Desai during the early days.”
A local, Prashant Deshmukh, recalled, “Desai during his peak provided jobs to one member of each family of the nearby Hatnoli village. The N D Studios land was purchased in a phased manner.”
The N D Studios in February this year hosted the marriage ceremony of Desai’s daughter. His wife, three children and son-in-law were among others present at the funeral.
Desai’s wife, daughter, son and son-in-law
Sonali Kulkarni draws ire on social media over ‘women are lazy’ remark
8:09 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (March 19, 2023)
Sonali Kulkarni is facing flak over her recent comment. The Half Pants Full Pants (2022) actor spoke at length about how Indian women look for a well-settled partner and that they’re “lazy”.
“Bharat mein bahut saari ladkiyan aalsi hain. Unko ek aisa boyfriend ya pati chahiye jiske paas achhi naukri ho, ghar ho, assurance ho ki increment milegi. Par uss ladki mein itni himmat nahin hai ki keh paaye ki main kya karoongi jab tum mujhse shaadi karoge,” she said during a conversation with Bhupenddra Singh Raathore.
Some praised her for calling out “misplaced equality”, but a section of social media users was irked. “What she’s saying is women want equality when it’s convenient to them. When it comes to people who clean sewers, build infrastructure, do dangerous jobs, women want no part in that. #Facts,” said one user, as another added, “Twitter should invent virtual slap”.
“@sonalikulkarni the men you’re defending won’t stand up for your rights. They’re clapping for you because you spoke what they wanted to hear. Stop being a ‘pick-me’,” read another tweet.
It is my dream to work with Zoya Akhtar-Sonali Kulkarni
8:49 AM
Arundhuti Banerjee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; January 14, 2023)
In a career spanning three decades, Sonali Kulkarni has worked on myriad scripts with some of the best in the business. However, the National Award-winning actor still has a bucket list to fulfil.
“It is my dream to work with Zoya Akhtar; she is a talented storyteller,” she tells us. “Zoya was my casting director when I worked in Dil Chahta Hai (2001). She was Farhan’s (Akhtar, director of the film) assistant director. The way she has grown as a professional, the kind of cinema she is making and the voice that she has created as a director, are all fascinating. Her thought process is the kind that I am attracted to,” adds Kulkarni, who was seen in the web show Dharavi Bank, co-starring Suniel Shetty and Vivek Oberoi.
Her recent project, she says, is a special one for many reasons. The actor, who plays the chief minister of Maharashtra, explains: “The world of Dharavi is shown as a male-dominated one, with not many female characters. It is basically a story of a dedicated police officer and a powerful man who is the messiah of Dharavi. But, it is my character that gives these two larger-than-life personalities a tough time.”
Being a Mumbaikar, Kulkarni was quite well-versed with the area, but during the shoot, had her fair share of realisations. “The show is written from a very real space. It is about how the people of Dharavi risk their lives every single day to keep Mumbai alive. The spirit of the people, their resilience and the hard work they do, even though they live in suffocating conditions, and how they carry a sense of dignity that they earn through their work — everything was fascinating,” she shares.
Vikram Gokhale, who stamped authority on screen, takes his final bow
8:01 AM
Shiladitya Pandit (THE TIMES OF INDIA; November 27, 2022)
Pune: Noted theatre, film and television actor Vikram Gokhale, who delivered a towering performance as the dignified and stern Hindustani classical music guru in the Bollywood superhit ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ (1999), passed away at a hospital due to multi-organ failure on Saturday. He was 77.
Among those who expressed their condolences on social media were actors Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher and Manoj Bajpayee. “Indian cinema lost (a) gem of an actor,” posted Bajpayee, who acted with him in Aiyyary (2018).
Popular in both Marathi and Hindi films, Gokhale received the National Film Award for best actor for his portrayal of a distressed old man struggling to pay his comatose wife’s medical expenses in Gajendra Ahire’s Marathi film, ‘Anumati’ (2013). And he was first-rate as the confidant of an angst-ridden stage legend in director Mahesh Manjrekar’s ‘Natasamrat’ (2016). Gokhale also received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 2011 for his contributions to the stage.
“He gave a new dimension to the acting style prevalent on the Marathi commercial stage before the 1970s,” said long-time friend and occasional collaborator Satish Alekar.
Actor and director Amol Palekar, who collaborated with him in the musical ‘Thoda Sa Roomani Ho Jayein’ (1990) said, “I particularly remember his performance in the play ‘Barrister.’ It is a landmark performance in Marathi theatre. Future generations should learn from it. However, theatre did not provide him the roles that were worth his salt. His style of acting, or rather under-acting, was so effective and good, few can achieve with dignity. Unfortunately, the film industry did not provide him his due, particularly the Marathi film industry.”
Versatility was his calling card. The actor lent grace and added depth to the characters he performed. Gokhale’s expressive eyes and commanding voice - he was also a voice coach later - were fundamental to the creation of the socially conservative guru who’s generous at heart but also bound by tradition in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’. And yet, in ‘Thoda Sa Roomani…” he handled the role of a remote town’s district collector, who’s the object of an unfussy young woman’s (Anita Kanwar) secret attraction, with equal aplomb. He also acted in a bunch of TV serials: from ‘Katha Sagar’ and ‘Udaan’ in the DD monopoly days of the 1980s to ‘Virrudh’ and ‘Kuch Apne Kuch Paraye’ in recent decades.
Pune-born Gokhale acted in over 200 films and TV shows and was a worthy descendant of his pioneering ancestors starting with great grandmother Durga Kamat, considered the first actress in Indian cinema, and her daughter, Kamla Kamat, both of whom made their debut in Dadasaheb Phalke’s ‘Mohini Bhasmasur’ (1913).
Gokhale’s father, Chandrakant, was also a veteran of the stage and film, and was also a well-known philanthropist, a tradition carried on by his son. His family supports war veterans at the Queen Mary Technical Institute and works for welfare of orphans.
He also nailed his political colours to the mast, criticizing politicians for casting aspersions on Veer Savarkar.
Gokhale, who had caught everyone’s eye playing Lord Krishna in the 1977 film, ‘Yehi Hai Zindagi’, was recently seen in the Hindi comedy-action flop ‘Nikamma,’ but received critical acclaim in the 2021 Marathi film Godavari (2021).
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BOMBAY TIMES (November 27, 2022)
Veteran actor Vikram Gokhale, who was undergoing treatment at a multi-speciality hospital in Pune, passed away on Saturday afternoon. He was 77. Shirish Yadgikar, the PRO of the hospital, confirmed the news and said, “It’s with a sad heart that we announce the passing of Mr Vikram Gokhale. He passed away in the afternoon. Our condolences to the family and near ones.”
Gokhale’s family friend Rajesh Damle said, “The last rites were carried out at Pune’s Vaikunth Smashan Bhumi at 6 pm yesterday.”
The senior actor’s condition had been critical for the last few days, and he had been kept on the ventilator. On Friday, the hospital authorities shared that the actor had shown some signs of improvement, but on Saturday morning, they shared that his condition had deteriorated.
As per his family, Gokhale was suffering from multiple health issues and had multi-organ failure, post which he was put on life support.
Throughout the course of his long and successful career, Gokhale appeared in both Hindi and Marathi films. The veteran actor came from a family of actors. His father, Chandrakant Gokhale, was a renowned Marathi theatre and film performer. After working in Marathi theatre at an early age, he made his film debut with the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Parwana when he was 26. Following that he acted in several Marathi and Bollywood films, including Amitabh Bachchan’s Agneepath in 1990 and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam with Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in 1999.
The powerhouse performer worked in Bollywood films like Agneepath, Khuda Gawah, Insaaf, Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Mission Mangal and Aiyaary, among others. He made his directorial debut with Aaghaat, a Marathi film that released in 2010. His body of work in the Marathi film industry includes films like Natsamrat, Lapandav, Kalat Nakalat, Vazir, Bala Gau Kashi Angar, Anumati, Mukta, Me Shivaji Park and AB Aani CD.
He was also well-known for the TV show Ya Sukhanno Ya. For his contribution to the world of theatre, he was presented the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2011. In 2013, his Marathi film Anumati won him the National Film Award in the Best Actor category. This year, he was seen in the Bollywood film Nikamma along with Shilpa Shetty and Abhimanyu Dassani. His Marathi film Godavari released earlier this month. He is survived by his wife, Vrushali Gokhale, and their two children.
At the time of going to press tributes were pouring in from the industry. Sonali Kulkarni said, “With Vikram kaka’s passing, the film industry has lost a true artiste who built his career on hishonest performances and passion. I was fortunate to know him and work with him. He was a source of encouragement for everyone and someone who built a name for himselfacross various platforms and languages. My prayers are with his family and near ones.”
Akshay Kumar posted, “Very sad to know of the demise of Vikram Gokhale ji. Worked with him in films like Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Mission Mangal, had so much to learn from him. Om Shanti (sic).”
Manoj Bajpayee said, “Indian cinema lost a gem of an actor. Had the privilege of working with him in Aiyyari and shared few great moments with him on the set! Saddened to hear about Shri Vikram Gokhale ji’s demise. My thoughts & prayers are with the family (sic).”
—Inputs by Mihir Bhanage and Shashank Sane
I am proud that I worked in Marathi and regional cinema even before it became glamorous-Sonali Kulkarni
8:26 AM
Making her web debut, Sonali Kulkarni discusses her script choices
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; January 4, 2021)
Sonali Kulkarni has always marched to her own beat — juggling theatre and regional cinema when her peers were Bollywood-bound. And her choices have held her in good stead. When it came to her web debut, the actor was certain she would take the plunge only if the content spoke to her. SonyLIV’s Whistleblower, which revolves around an admission scam, delivered on that count. Kulkarni discusses how her role of a news channel editor left her optimistic and the society’s apathy towards the growing corruption.
Edited excerpts from the interview.
What was your first reaction to the script of Whistleblower?
When my director [Manoj Pillai] gave me the narration, he did not start with how important I was to the story. Instead, he told me the story first. We are a complex society, and even while leading our individual lives, we somehow contribute to this society. Wrong things are constantly happening every day. What is our take on them? As a news channel editor, my character Zainab Parker has the discretion to decide how she exercises that power. The character made me feel optimistic in these times of corruption. She is idealistic and has the courage to stay with an issue.
At a time when journalism is being criticized for its supposedly agenda-driven narration, how did it feel to play an ideal character?
Whistleblower highlights that people are wrong, not the profession. Just because a few people went astray and sold their [ideals], the entire profession is criticized. My performance is a tribute to all the wonderful people I met in my life. Kumar Ketkar was my first boss when I used to write as a guest editor for Indian Express’ Loksatta. I had some fearless bosses who never [told me that] my opinion has to follow a particular narrative. I have been a part of this industry as a writer and actor, and I am empathetic towards every one of them.
Whistleblower revolves around an admission scam. Is it based on reality?
The show is fictional, but we have taken impressions from real life. The series depicts reality throughout. For us, some subjects are pure, like education and medicine. We don’t want to think that a doctor will say, ‘Give me Rs 50,00,000 and I will ensure the patient gets a heart transplant.’ [In some ways], the education system is corrupt. I remember [years ago] when I was told that my daughter was speaking primarily in Hindi and is not fluent in English. This, when she was three! A child, who is learning to speak, cannot decide which language s/he is fluent in.
How does the show encourage people to take a stand?
The show encourages people to be aware citizens and walk that extra mile. In Marathi, we have a saying: Shivaji janmu de punn koni doosryacha ghari. We all talk about our rights, complain about the things going wrong in our neighbourhood, but we don’t do anything about it. We are not willing to extend ourselves as we are comfortable in our own cocoons. The show will shake us out of our comfort zone.
After working for so many years, do you feel that Bollywood hasn’t given you your due?
I don’t think like that. I have made my own choices. I am proud that I worked in Marathi and regional cinema even before it became glamorous [with the OTT boom]. Today, we are talking about Bengali, Malayalam and Telugu films. We now know stars and directors from [regional] film industries. So, I am supremely proud of my choices since the beginning of my career. At the same time, I am also a proud homemaker. My industry didn’t tell me to sacrifice everything and immerse myself [in work] to encash my youth. I had wonderful teachers in Satyajit Dubey, Girish Karnad, and Jabbar Patel, who added insight to my life. I am ready to take on another 25 years in the industry.
I had to stand in the queue to get vaccinated. I wasn’t treated like a VIP-Sonali Kulkarni
8:09 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 15, 2021)
Sonali Kulkarni took the first jab of the Coronavirus vaccine back in April but says that the process has been nothing short of a “struggle”. She believes that no public figure should make use of their celebrity status to avail benefits at a time of crisis when everyone is struggling to get vaccinated.
“I don’t think any celebrity should try to get vaccination through a quicker route. The whole world is sailing on the same boat. Right now, we need to cooperate. As for me, I had to stand in the queue. I wasn’t treated like a VIP and I didn’t want to be treated as one either,” she shares.
Despite doing charitable work during the on-going pandemic, the actor has no qualms in confiding that she was not given any extra benefits as she had a hard time arranging vaccines for her aged parents who live in Pune.
Kulkarni says, “I’ve stood by every charitable organisation and given them shout outs. I haven’t charged anyone for any interactive session or a fund-raiser. I haven’t even publicized about my monetary donations. I’ve also been a part of organisations that were raising money for backstage artistes and technicians. Even after all that, I struggled to get appointments for my parents’ second jab.”
In her signature candour, the Bharat (2019) actor rues the lack of financial security for actors at a time like this. “We aren’t counted as frontline workers. Entertainment isn’t considered to be an essential. Hence, my fraternity doesn’t have any security. I feel for them. I wish more and more people stood for us. Yes, we aren’t social workers and we’re paid to entertain people. We aren’t considered important enough and that’s deeply painful,” she ends.
A playwright like Vijay Tendulkar should not be misunderstood or targeted-Sonali Kulkarni
8:39 AM
Few contemporary faces of Indian films and theatre have been as familiar with Marathi playwright Vijay Tendulkar, as both person and dramatist, as Sonali Kulkarni. Not only was the Dil Chahta Hai actor a friend of Tendulkar’s, who faces a fresh posthumous storm after his play in Madhya Pradesh was cancelled following objections raised by Bajrang Dal, she acted in two of his plays, one of them the iconic ‘Sakharam Binder.’ She speaks to Vaibhav Purandare about one of India’s great modern playwrights who wrote ‘Ghashiram Kotwal’ in Marathi and the Hindi screenplays for landmark movies like Ardh Satya, Nishant and Manthan
Vaibhav Purandare (THE TIMES OF INDIA; March 14, 2021)
The Bajrang Dal objected to Vijay Tendulkar’s play ‘Jaat hi pucho sadhu ki’ at the IPTA (Indian People’s Theatre Association) fest, calling it ‘anti-Hindu’ as it had the word ‘sadhu’ in its title, though the play isn’t about faith but about casteism and India’s education system.
There are times when I want to give the benefit to doubt to the objectors. There’s clearly a misconception about the title, and I hope things will be clarified soon.
But why is Tendulkar still at the centre of controversy after all these years? In the 1970s and 80s, the Shiv Sena tormented him over his plays such as ‘Ghashiram’ and ‘Binder’ and even tried to scuttle the ‘Ghashiram’ team’s US tour, and now this, more than a decade after his passing.
People have targeted Tendulkar because we need someone to target. To prove ourselves right, we feel the need to say someone’s wrong. But he wasn’t wrong in his writings, he was simply courageous. If he saw a wrong, he didn’t fear being a witness. He was the kind of person who, if he saw a woman being harassed, would say straight away she was harassed. So many of his plays are about women. I did two of them – ‘Binder’ and ‘Kovali Unhe’ — and was slated to do a third, the famous ‘Shantata, Court chalu aahe (Silence, the court is in session)’ when he died in 2008 and the plan was called off.
When did you first become familiar with his body of work?
When studying at Pune’s Fergusson College. Tendulkar came to speak to us one day, and something he said got stuck in my head. He said writers create pauses and put punctuation marks, but actors and directors often don’t pay attention to these. They should. There’s a reason they’re there. I did theatre guru Satyadev Dubey’s workshops thereafter, and he’d always talk about Tendulkar. Much later, Govind Nihalani reminded me of Tendulkar’s words.
You got to know the playwright as a person, too. What were your impressions of him?
I got to know him well after I did the lead role of a speech-impaired girl in ‘Kovali Unhe,’ directed by my brother Sandesh Kulkarni. The play gives voice to a literally speechless girl. After the death of Tendulkar’s daughter (actor and writer) Priya, I became a friend of his and, among other things (on a light note), introduced him to my favourite veg burger. He was open-minded, a genuine listener and observer, and he let people be, with all their ego issues, sorrows, griefs, success, fame, everything. He’d comment on things but there never was a hard expression. That’s why I’ve preserved an old and outdated mobile phone of mine just because it has messages from him and Satyadev Dubey. He compelled people to be true to themselves. I told him about the ups and downs in my life and he’d be deeply empathetic — a quality all his plays have. I was apprehensive about playing the character of the god-fearing, scared, helpless, dependent and, at times, apparently silly ‘Lakshmi’ in ‘Binder’ when I started reading the play, but when I got to the third act, I was shaken by what she does… But Tendulkar was like that, he could read and understand human beings.
With censorship on the rise in India, what’s the way out for artistes like you, writers and others in the creative arts?
Just as it is true that Shakespeare has been mined across the world for stories and themes, it is true that India is one of the richest places when it comes to original playwrights, be it Tendulkar, Badal Sircar, Mahesh Elkunchwar, Girish Karnad or Satish Alekar. That’s a powerhouse of talent that we can go to not only for plays but for films and screenplays. Tendulkar enriched Indian culture and cast a powerful torchlight on society, and I know of people who have travelled to India, or travelled long distances at any rate, just to see ‘Ghashiram Kotwal’. He brought a sense of pride to our country and pride to the Indian flag, so people like him and the other stalwarts I’ve mentioned shouldn’t be misunderstood. Reading and performing Tendulkar’s plays would be the best thing; it would be a major victory.
Coronavirus outbreak calls for a dramatic pause
8:29 AM
Sanskrita Bharadwaj, Titas Chowdhury and Naina Arora (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 25, 2020)
With no new theatrical shows, open-mics or gigs due to the outbreak of Covid-19, life has been drastically different for people across the country. The performing arts have always suffered challenges, financially. And now, the Coronavirus scare has come as a severe blow to the entire industry, including artistes and technicians. Manav Kaul who was all set to stage Giving Up On Godot, a play directed by him at Mumbai’s Prithvi Theatre, says, “It was a little heartbreaking that it didn’t happen. We had finished the final rehearsals, and just two days before we were about to go on stage, we came to know that the show has been postponed.”
Ask him about the loss of money and he explains, “A play won’t go waste and it’s here to stay. I’ve got a script, we’ve got actors and we’ll open it in November. The money put in is all mine and so it doesn’t matter. The staff involved in plays are being taken care of.”
Shikha Talsania, who has co-directed the play, wants to concentrate on the silver lining and hopes that the audience turnout will be more post the crisis. “Maybe, once this ends, we will get more audience, who will be bored of watching television and would look forward to watching a live performance,” she says.
Gujarati actor-director Pratik Gandhi, who is popular for his plays Mohan No Masalo and Hu Chandrakant Bakshi, believes that the coronavirus crisis is a “big blow” to the already struggling theatre industry but some “path breaking innovation” might come out of it. “With shows being cancelled, a lot of theatre people who are completely dependent on it are suffering a huge loss, too. But being an optimist, I want to believe that we’re all getting time to introspect,” he says.
Comedy gigs which are a regular in Mumbai and Delhi, have suffered a big blow as well. “All my shows were cancelled, including public, corporate, and private,” says stand-up comedian Rahul Dua (right), adding, “Quarantine can be boring. Even if all of this is over, it’ll take some time for people to be comfortable sharing an auditorium room with 300 people.”Musicians, too, are bearing the brunt. Delhi-based singer Sonam Kalra, says, “This has been hard on the global economy. A lot of musicians including myself had shows that have got cancelled but I do believe it is necessary for now as it is better for us to be safe and responsible.”
Actor Sonali Kulkarni (below), who was supposed to travel to the US for a play, early this month, cancelled her travel plans. She says, “This is going to hit the industry for long term. All the technicians are going to face problems because we are shut.”
Stage actor and producer Denzil Smith (below) echoes similar thoughts. “Let’s assume that we are able to get out of this, even then people will not want to invest in the arts because many people would think about resurrecting their financial situations,” he explains, adding, “Perhaps, the art will see a resurgence and some mind blowing stuff will happen when we start over.”
Director Atul Satya Koushik whose shows were cancelled, says, “Even if normal services start opening by mid April, entertainment would be the last priority of the government as it’s not an essential commodity. I am telling my team that art is practised in isolation, and executed in public. So, the practise must continue, writers must write new scenes, and directors must revisit their shows and redesign them.”
However, theatre organisers are hopeful. Anasuya Vaidya, from Akshara Theatre, Delhi, says, “We’ve had to cancel and postpone a whole lot of shows. Classes and workshops are suspended as well. We are waiting to get back on stage.”
While Asmita Theatre Group is keeping the action alive on Facebook with a 10-day online theatre festival called the Quarantine Theatre Festival. Founder Arvind Gaur says, “Our live shows were affected so we thought of doing an online festival till March 31,” he says.
Divya Dutta to host the National Awards ceremony in Delhi
8:00 AM
HINDUSTAN TIMES (December 17, 2019)
Divya Dutta, who won the National Award for the Best Supporting Actress in her film Irada (2018), is now looking forward to hosting the National Awards ceremony this year.
The actor who has earlier hosted the award ceremony twice is thrilled to be part of the prestigious program once again. While she hosted the awards for two consecutive years with actors Ashutosh Rana and Jaaved Jaaferi, this year, actor Sonali Kulkarni will be her co-host.
Dutta says, “Last year, the excitement was different as I went to the stage to pick up my award. This year, I would be cheering for all the winners and be part of their celebration. ”
Talk about how the National Awards ceremony is different from other awards functions, Dutta states, “The National Awards ceremony is known for its cultural performances and one has to maintain dignity and decorum. Since the winners are announced in advance, it will be about the proud moment of seeing yourself with that medal on stage. I was very excited to get mine.”
Naseeruddin Shah fights over a faulty photocopy machine in Hope Aur Hum
7:53 AM
Naseeruddin Shah plays a patriarch whose refusal to part with a faulty piece of equipment leads to conflict and hilarity in his next
Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 11, 2018)
Debutant director Sudip Bandhopadhyay admits that his film, Hope Aur Hum, is autobiographical in that it takes after the idiosyncrasies of his own family members. The family-drama, which he has written and directed, features Naseeruddin Shah as the 70-year-old patriarch Nagesh Srivastava, who is unwilling to get rid of his malfunctioning photocopy machine for emotional reasons. Aamir Bashir and Naveen Kasturia play his sons.
Sudip points out that the slice-of-life film follows each character as they adapt to change in their own way. “While circumstances are the film’s main villain, I managed to cast fantastic sons for Naseer with Aamir, who plays a bank employee waiting for a promotion, and Naveen, who plays the younger brother who is an architect. They not only look like real brothers, but are also spitting images of Naseer from his younger days.”
The filmmaker adds that Sonali Kulkarni plays Naseer’s daughter-in-law and a mother-of-two. “Sonali’s character Aditi comes from a royal family and even though her in-laws are well-off, she is frustrated with the space constraints that come with sharing a Mumbai house with a joint family. She is keen to get rid of the copy machine so that she can convert the space into a room for her kids. It leads to funny arguments within the family,” Sudip reveals.
The ad filmmaker-turned-director had auditioned child actor Kabir Sajid Shaikh for several commercials in the past, but had never managed to cast him in a role. “I finally found a role for him in Anu, Aditi’s son, who loves playing cricket,” Sudip says.
Since the family is Mumbai based, the unit shot in Bandra and Madh island, with some portions canned at a palace near Palgarh. “I was keen to request veteran, award winning cinematographer Ravi K Chandran, who resides in the same building as me, to spare one of his assistants to shoot my film. He’s constantly shuffling between Chennai and Mumbai and I caught him once asking him it was possible. He asked me about my film and then questioned me in return as to why I wasn’t asking him to shoot my film. I told him it was a small, independent feature but he insisted. I was thrilled. He came on board with a plethora of experience and the cast was so excited to have him on board,” Sudip says.
Sonali Kulkarni to play Sunny Deol's better half in Shreyas Talpade’s directorial debut Poshter Boyz
7:51 AM
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 26, 2016)
Mirror had earlier reported (November 7) about brothers Sunny and Bobby
Deol coming together for Shreyas Talpade’s directorial debut, a Hindi
remake of his hit Marathi production, Poshter Boyz, in Bhor. We have now
learnt that actress Sonali Kulkarni has been roped in to play Sunny’s
wife in the film.A source from the sets reveals, “The team has just wrapped up the first schedule and the film is being shot all over Bhor with a brief shoot in Mumbai planned for later. After scouting for Sunny’s leading lady for over the last couple of months, Shreyas has roped in Sonali Kulkarni. Their scenes are light-hearted and had the unit in splits while they were being filmed. Sonali’s look is Indian while the character is sweet and humorous. A new actress has been cast opposite Bobby’s character but the team is keeping her identity under wraps for the moment. While the essence of the film remains the same, Shreyas is making a few changes in terms of setting to ensure the film appeals to the audience all over India, unlike the original that targeted the Marathi viewers.”
Both Sonali and Shreyas remained unavailable for comment.
The Marathi Poshter Boyz released in 2014 and was inspired by a real life incident where three men inadvertently found themselves on a poster promoting vasectomy. They are ridiculed in their village as locals believe that the trio has actually undergone the operation and subsequently ‘lost their masculinity’, which launches the protagonists on a mission to prove everyone wrong.
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