Filmmaker Tahira Kashyap Khurrana shared a health update on Instagram on Wednesday, writing that she is “Back home and recovering” after a fresh round of treatment. This update comes after her breast cancer relapsed.

The 42-year-old also thanked her fans and friends for their love and prayers, writing in the caption of the post, “I know some of you who are praying and so many whom I don’t know and yet I receive all your goodness with grace, similarly some of you know me and others might not but I send all my gratitude to all of you. And when such a connection is made which is beyond actual relationship it’s called Humanity which is the highest form of spirituality.”

Several celebrities extended support in the comments section. Mandira Bedi wrote, “I’m saying a prayer for you every day,” Rajkummar Rao commented, “The strongest girl ever. Sending lots of love to you Tahira”, and Twinkle Khanna sent her a “big hug”.

Her husband, Ayushmann Khurrana, brother-in-law Aparshakti Khurana, and colleagues Hina Khan, Guneet Monga Kapoor, and Bhumi Pednekar dropped heart emojis.

Tahira was first diagnosed in 2018, after which she underwent chemotherapy and mastectomy.

Filmmaker Tahira Kashyap Khurrana has revealed that her breast cancer has relapsed for the second time. The 42-year-old penned a note (see inset) on Instagram on Monday morning, speaking about battling cancer again after seven years.

Tahira, who is married to actor Ayushmann Khurrana, captioned the post, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. When life becomes too generous and throws them again at you, you squeeze them calmly into your favourite kala khatta drink and sip it with all the good intentions. Because for one it’s a better drink and two you know you will give it your best once again.”

Highlighting that it was World Health Day (April 7) when she got the news, Tahira credited regular mammograms for early detection this time around. Ayushmann commented, “My hero.” Actor Sonali Bendre, who was diagnosed with stage four metastatic cancer in 2018 and became cancer-free in 2021, also expressed support: “No words baby! Just sending love strength and prayers (sic).”

Tahira was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, undergoing mastectomy and chemotherapy. She was vocal about the treatment throughout its course, sharing regular updates on social media for her fans.

Actor Ayushmann Khurrana has revealed that his late father, astrologer P Khurana, was very strict and would often thrash him with ‘chappals’ and ‘belts’. Khurrana, renowned for his roles in films such as Vicky Donor (2012) and Article 15 (2019), went as far as describing his father as a “dictator”.

During an interview on the Honestly Saying Podcast, the actor opened up about embracing fatherhood, saying, “I became a father in my 20s. In fact, Vicky Donor was released when I was already a father. It was very different. Both me and Tahira (Kashyap, wife and filmmaker) evolved together because we were very young parents. The best part is that I have a daughter. You become a better person. Daughters teach you to be more empathetic.”

When asked if he was different as a father than his own, the 40-year-old shared, “I’m a completely different father. Mine was a dictator. Getting beaten with chappals, belts, etc… were par for the course. And of course, there was childhood trauma...”

He recalled, “One day, I was returning from a party, and my shirt smelled of cigarette smoke. Now, I never touched it (cigarette) because of the fear of my father. But I still got beaten up for it.”

His father, who was known for his contribution in the field of astrology, died last year.

High school sweethearts, Khurrana and Kashyap got married in 2008. The couple have two children together, Virajveer (10) and Varushka (8).

On the work front, the actor is set to join a horror-comedy universe with Thama. The film slated for release next year will also feature actors Rashmika Mandanna, Paresh Rawal and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Khurrana will be seen as a vampire in the movie.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I am a mix of both, but more on the conservative side. But I think I will let her get the tattoo.

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.

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!

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.

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.”

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.”

Nandita Das’ Zwigato is the story of an ex-factory floor manager. After losing his job in the pandemic, he is forced to work as a food delivery rider and struggles to make ends meet

From showing how relationships fared in the lockdown (Modern Love Hyderabad and Feels Like Ishq) to the financial struggle after people lost jobs (Unpaused and Zwigato) and the largescale chaos and uprooting caused by the first lockdown (Bheed and India Lockdown) – many movies and web series incorporated COVID-19 in their storylines. Three years since words like pandemic and lockdown became a permanent part of our vocabulary, we take a look at how pandemic stories were weaved into films and shows.

Most of the shows which have pandemic storylines are about the spirit of humanity rising above the tragedy. Unpaused: Naya Safar uses the second wave of the pandemic as a major plot point and narrates five inspiring stories. 

Geetanjali Kulkarni, who was in one of the episodes, spoke about filming a pandemic story, and said in an interview, “You feel heavy while shooting some scenes, as they remind you of things that either you have gone through or seen people close to you go through. But you have to keep your sanity and work.”

Nagesh Kukunoor’s episode My Unlikely Pandemic Dream Partner in Modern Love Hyderabad, starring Revathy and Nithya Menon, had an interesting story of a mother and a daughter living together during the lockdown. The show uses the background of the lockdown and pandemic to narrate the complexities of their relationship.

Revathy said in an interview, “I connected with the story immediately because mothers and daughters are very rarely portrayed in such a real way.”

In the episode Quaranteen Crush in Feels Like Ishq, director Tahira Kashyap Khurrana used the lockdown and quarantine period as a plot to narrate a love story.

Talking about filming during the pandemic, Tahira said in an interview, “The story of Quaranteen Crush is written by Gazal (Dhaliwal). When we were in Chandigarh, we developed the script and shot for three days. Prior to that, we did a lot of prep online. It was a new way of filmmaking for all of us at that time. We were a little jittery, but the process went really well.”

Commenting on the films and shows that have included COVID storylines, producer Girish Johar says, “From the last two years, filmmakers are facing this question that whether they should include COVID in the storyline or not. But now looking back at it after three years, while it is too early to relive tragedy, a good story prevails and finds its audience.”

The Family Man Season 2 ended with a scene mentioning the pandemic and the lockdown and it is being assumed that the third season will include COVID storyline. In 2020, several movie titles such as Coronavirus, One Weapon Corona and Corona – The Deadly Virus were registered, but the films are yet to be released or announced in most cases.

Madhur Bhandarkar’s India Lockdown follows four parallel stories of people stuck in the lockdown. Bhandarkar said in an interview that it was important for him as a filmmaker to document the trauma people have gone through, and he felt that after two years, people will definitely connect to the subject

In the episode My Unlikely Dream Pandemic Partner in Modern Love Hyderabad, Revathy and Nithya Menen explore the complexities of a motherdaughter relationship, as they are forced to spend time together during the lockdown

In the episode Quaranteen Crush from Feels Like Ishq, a teenage boy is seen crushing on a girl self-quarantining next door

Anubhav Sinha’s Bheed tells the story of the large-scale migration that was the result of the first country-wide lockdown. Sinha said he was primarily worried about two things – reliving the tragedy and making a black-and-white film. Reliving the tragedy through a series or a film is what most filmmakers are cautious about. So, even when a film or show includes the pandemic, it mostly is in the background and not the main story. Talking about the film’s performance, Sinha said in an interview, “People are writing pages and paragraphs (about their feelings of watching Bheed) and at the same time there is no one in the theatre. It is a bizarre feeling. I’m half happy and half intrigued.”

Much fun and merry is in store for author-filmmaker Tahira Kashyap Khurrana, who is spending her 40th birthday today with her family and friends at the Gir National Park in Gujarat.

“My family and friends from college are in Gir. Last year, we went to Ranthambore for the safari. We will be back on 23rd from Gir. On 26th, I’m off to Dubai with 15 of my girlfriends. Bada milestone birthday lag raha hai,” she quips.

“My parents used to call all my friends for my birthday party. After I got married, kuch hota hi nahin tha. That’s when reality hits you... With time, you choose who you want to celebrate with,” she says, adding, “It need not be extravagant. Like, this is a small trip to Gir which we are taking and then going out with my girls… It is the big 40, so sab kuch kar rahi hun!”

Professionally, too, it’s a big year for Khurrana. Her first feature directorial, Sharmaji Ki Beti, is lined up for release and then she will start work on her second project.

“It is with Guneet Monga (Kapoor, producer). She was the first person I showed Toffee (short film) to. At that time, I didn’t know her at all. Later, I made Pinni with her and we got to know each other on a deeper level. We feel strongly about many issues. So, I took a script to her and she is on board. I am very excited to start. I am getting back into action as soon as I am back from the trip,” she signs off.

Abreast cancer survivor, Tahira Kashyap Khurrana has always been vocal about the trials and tribulations on her road to recovery, which she says has helped hundreds of women stay hopeful and strong in their fight against cancer. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), she recalls reaching out to unknown people on social media and encouraging them to be strong in their fight against cancer.

“Cancer patients, with whom I had no connection at all, approached me through my friends. There were many who messaged me on social media, and I have spoken to several of them. I have made random calls to people to talk about my journey as well as hear theirs,” she tells us. 

Sharing one such incident, she says, “A man once found my phone number somehow and asked if I could call his wife, who was battling breast cancer. When he told me she was about to leave for treatment, I video-called her. I can’t tell you how delighted she was.”

Not many know that it was actor Sonali Bendre who gave the author-turned-director the encouragement to stay strong in those difficult times. “I vividly remember before my health issue happened, I opened the newspaper and saw a picture of Sonali Bendre at the airport. She had that bald look with kohl-lined eyes (during the time she was battling cancer). And I was like, ‘Oh my God. What a woman’. That image just stayed with me. A few months down the line, I was in the same situation. Those pictures of her must have had a subliminal effect on me,” says Khurrana.

To the women fighting for another chance to live, she says, “Half the battle is won when we begin perceiving ourselves as strong individuals capable of overcoming everything. That’s why it’s necessary to stop seeing ourselves as victims and instead focus on learning and growing in life.”

He has made a career out of taking risks for the right reasons, by his own admission. He rewrote the rulebook for the mainstream Bollywood leading hero. And with one gutsy act after another, he won over the audience’s love with several light-hearted movies that carried the load of heavy-weight subjects. With Junglee Pictures, Doctor G, which hit the theatres on Friday, Ayushmann Khurrana stepped into an unfamiliar space once again and owned it. In a conversation with us, he talks about the women force in his life, stepping out of his skin for roles and more. Read on…

Life has come a full circle, isn’t it? And it’s evident how you have staunchly followed your belief in a certain kind of content-heavy cinema. I have always believed in cinema for change and it is something that I started with my first film, Vicky Donor, and since then, I have been tirelessly treading on that path. I think a film is more palatable to people when it is shown in a way that it has something to say. And yes, you are right that life has come a full circle. It was beautiful that I got a chance to play a doctor in this film, and this is the kind of content that attracts me.

It all depends on the kind of women and people you are surrounded with in your life. My grandmom was a pure artiste, she would sing at the gurudwara, and was interested in various art forms. She would appreciate cinema, too. My grandfather was very strict, so she would take her five sons to the theatre to watch movies. She was a huge Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand fan, and she would mimic actors. I have never seen a woman of that age mimic actors, she was ahead of her times. My mother, who taught me Hindi, would really motivate me to take part in debates, especially in Hindi. I was in an all-boys school and college, and then I met Tahira, and she made a gentleman out of me. I really thank these women for shaping my life.

I think my core is still the same. In my early days, I did a lot of street theatre, which was based on social issues, and I firmly believe that my cinema is an extension of that. My experience in theatre has always helped me choose subjects which are relevant, topical, close to people and mostly taboo. It comes from there. I am still a simple guy from Chandigarh. I would love to call myself a minimalist, I know there are a lot of embellishments that come with this profession, but I would love to stay away from that.

I always thought I was an unconventional actor, and I would have to make unconventional choices. I probably saw the industry closely when I was an anchor, journalist and radio presenter. I learnt a lot by watching them and the choices they made closely. I remember when I was a VJ, I had turned down six films. I believed that if I made the wrong choice, then being an outsider, I wouldn’t get a second chance. So, I thought that my first film had to be special and clutter-breaking. And I am glad that I got a movie like Vicky Donor because it couldn’t have been better. Coming from a small city and trying to make it on my own — I didn’t know how else I could have been different. It had to be with choices and films that were different from what was conventional.

I think every film should have a female gaze. I know a director is a director, but a female director brings a lot to the table. There is more sensitivity, and you just can’t say anything as the right of humour. I think the female gaze is important in any progressive cinema. I know that a typical commercial cinema could be slightly regressive in nature, and I am saying slightly as I may offend a lot of people, but I understand that it goes with the popular palate. I have worked with three female directors — Nupur Asthana (Bewakoofiyan), Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari (Bareilly Ki Barfi), and now Anubhuti Kashyap, who is fantastic. I think every film should have a female gaze, not just this. In a lot of commercial films, maa ka kaam kya hota hai? Bas khana parosna? Ya biwi ka kaam kya hota hai? The women have nothing to do in the movie. So, a film like Doctor G is for the women, of the women and by the women.

Well, maybe. People have called me a trailblazer and trendsetter, as I said earlier, I guess the confidence in my script writers came with my first film. They started thinking so out of the box that they started writing subjects that were not spoken about. From 2017 onwards, I started getting great scripts. I think they started writing keeping me in mind and believing that I would support it and take their vision forward. Also, I am saying this because most of my hit films are with first-time directors or fairly new directors. Doctor G, too, and even my next one. I’ve always been a quintessential risk taker, and I love working with fresh talent as it gives me the impetus to give my best.

The entire genre of my films is based on fearlessness. And that is important and only a first time director is fearless. The more you succeed and climb the ladder of success, you become fearful of what will happen.

Yes! Every single time I get approached by a script writer or a director, there is no parameter that I have to work with this or that director. Of course, I would like to work with filmmakers like Rohit Shetty, Zoya Akhtar and Raju Hirani. At the same time, I have always got great scripts from first-timers. I have also been doing films which are away from my skin, like Andhadhun, Article 15, and they were very different from my staple genre – slice of life, social comedy, dramedy. Then, I have Action Hero coming up, which is again completely different from my skin. So, I have to break out of my genre after every two-three films, and every time I do that, yes, I get nervous as it is away from my core, and that’s the real challenge.

Her battle against the dreaded C word has inspired many since 2018, when director-author Tahira Kashyap Khurrana revealed that she was diagnosed with DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) in her right breast. She underwent a mastectomy soon after.

On the occasion of World Cancer Day yesterday, the 39-year-old said that many cancer survivors thank her for inspiring them. “And that (their thankfulness) encourages me on multiple levels. [While battling against cancer], not every day is a good day. But, when you share your struggle with people, those days definitely become better. If I have been a source of strength for people, it’s been the other way around, too,” says Khurrana.

Rather than opting for a cosmetic treatment to do away with the scar her surgery left behind, the author embraced it wholeheartedly to inspire people. In fact, after her surgery in 2019, she also shared a photo of her bare back with a large scar on social media, and wrote, “…I truly embrace all my scars, as they are my badges of honour. There is nothing known as perfect. Happiness lies in truly accepting yourself.”

Talking about breast cancer, Khurrana stresses upon the need to be proactive and careful. “It’s important to remove the taboo around getting oneself physically examined by a doctor or getting mammography done. Even self-examination is critical. I want to spread the awareness about early breast cancer detection, which is not only treatable, but also curable,” says the Zindagi In Short director.

When Tahira Kashyap Khurrana’s debut feature film Sharmaji Ki Beti went on floors earlier in the year, leading lady Saiyami Kher saw it as a moment of triumph. It took four years for the film, also starring Divya Dutta and Sakshi Tanwar, to go from the drawing board to the set. In an earlier interview to mid-day, Kashyap had revealed how she stood her ground while prospective producers suggested that she include a romantic track to make the film more bankable, and seek more saleable stars. Her search for like-minded collaborators ended when she met producers Atul Kasbekar and Tanuj Garg.

Recounting her casting, Kher says, “A few years ago, Tahira came home for the narration of Sharmaji Ki Beti. She was convinced that I fit the part. Atul Kasbekar and Tanuj Garg were also on the same page. It all felt too good to be true. But like films, our lives also have these twists and turns. Tahira was unwell; it was scary, and heart-breaking. Obviously, the film went on hold. Then COVID [struck] and the world shut down.”

Kher says that the movie saw the light of day due to Kashyap’s resilience. “Through all the ups and downs, Tahira fought for herself and all of us. It never felt like this was her debut feature. We did rehearsals to set the tone of the characters. On set, she gave us the freedom to play around [with our characters].”

With Sharmaji Ki Beti, the director has tried to showcase the different experiences of modern Indian women. “It’s a heartwarming, slice-of-life comedy drama. All I can say is that playing this character ticked off a long-standing dream.”

Tahira Kashyap Khurrana revealed that she was recently admitted in the ICU after she threw up post consuming her daily glass of green juice — a concoction of bottle gourd, gooseberries, and turmeric. Tahira was in the ICU for two days due to bottle gourd toxicity. She said that she had the juice despite its bitter taste and ended up with “17 bouts of vomit” and her blood pressure dropped to 40.

She shared a video on Instagram, where she said that she would have the juice daily, however that day, she felt the juice had a bitter taste but she drank it anyway. Tahira shared that the juice, which is otherwise healthy, can be lethal. “Doctor said it’s almost like having cyanide,” she said in the video, and wrote, “Pls read about BOTTLE GOURD TOXICITY! I might be sounding all sorted and cool in this video that I made from my set, but I was in deep sh#%!”

“Sharing deets as doctors also asked me to spread the awareness around too. I have picked my phone on all those who I know have the #greenjuice. Bottle gourd toxicity has dire consequences, and dire is an understatement... It’s lethal. In the name of health just don’t keep popping juices (sic),” she wrote.

---------------

The fact that a vegetable as healthy as a bottle gourd can sometimes be poisonous is not known by many. Daljit Kaur, Chief Dietician, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, New Delhi, shares, “Consumption of the vegetables belonging to the Cucurbits, also known as Cucurbitaceae, family, including bottle gourd and cucumber is not unsafe at all. However, if it’s bitter in taste, it could indicate that the same is poisonous and can result in nausea, vomiting, vomiting blood. Therefore, ensure you are buying good quality vegetables from hygienic places and be aware of the bitter taste.”

There is no set formula to crack Bollywood, and no one knows this better than Sharib Hashmi, who was led to believe that offers would flood in after the critical acclaim of his 2014 film, Filmistaan. But he says “the experience prepared him” for the entertainment industry. “While I can’t believe all the good that has been happening [in my career], I will be fine if it all goes away the next day. After the lull post Filmistaan, I’m prepared for anything,” says the actor, who now has about six projects in his kitty.

The Family Man franchise, followed by Asur and Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story, opened doors for Hashmi, whose next big release is the Kangana Ranaut-starrer Dhaakad. “I am excited to see all my movies, but I want Sharmaji Ki Beti to release first,” he says, adding that he is playing a role he has never explored before.

Hashmi recently wrapped up the schedule of the Tahira Kashyap Khurrana film, which is a heart-warming, slice-of-life comedy-drama about the experiences of three daughters from different age groups, lifestyles, and experiences. “I play the balancing factor between my on-screen daughter [Vanshika Taparia] and wife,” says Hashmi about his character Sudhir.

Crediting his co-star Sakshi Tanwar, who plays his wife in the film, for making the work atmosphere “fun”, he says, “She is a thorough professional. We spent a lot of time on set chatting, she is simple, and straightforward, unlike any superstar. Despite being a superstar on television, she has no airs.”

Post the success of its recent slate of premium drama series, Applause Entertainment is now all set to partner with Ellipsis Entertainment for Tahira Kashyap Khurrana’s feature directorial debut, Sharmaji Ki Beti. The film offers a glimpse into the lives of urban girls and women, all bearing the common surname — Sharma. A slice-of-life film, it showcases a rollercoaster of aspirations, fantasies, inadequacies, coming of age and heartbreak. This relatable, multi-generational, ensemble comedy-drama about the modern, middle-class female experience will be headlined by talents like Sakshi Tanwar, Divya Dutta, and Saiyami Kher.

A successful author, who has directed several shorts, Tahira’s feature debut is creating a lot of buzz. Talking about the film, Sameer Nair, CEO of Applause Entertainment, says, “Sharmaji Ki Beti is a charming, spirited tale that’s been written with an effusive affection for its characters and the worlds they inhabit. Tahira Kashyap Khurrana has emerged as a unique, prominent literary voice and her stories have always resonated with their sharp wit and striking attention to detail. We’re excited to present her feature directorial debut to the world.”

Managing partners Tanuj Garg and Atul Kasbekar from Ellipsis Entertainment say, “As magnets for promising new talent, we are delighted to now launch the incredibly accomplished Tahira Kashyap Khurrana as a feature director. We’re proud of what this special script has turned out to be.”

Writer-director Tahira says, “Sharmaji Ki Beti is like an extension of my personality as it is inspired by various incidents and characters I have met, experienced and observed in real life. It will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s the first feature script I ever wrote. It is an amalgamation of emotions striking the perfect balance, with a happy, relatable, emotional and inspiring narrative.” The shoot of Sharmaji Ki Beti commenced this month in Mumbai and Chandigarh.

Taking a break from his duties before the camera, Ayushmann Khurrana returned to his place behind the mic for wife Tahira Kashyap. The actor lent his voice to a track from Kashyap’s directorial offering, Feels Like Ishq, the latest anthology series of Netflix that features six love sagas.

Kinni soni has been composed and written by the actor and his college friends, Sameer Kaushal and Gurpreet Saini. “It is a sweet, romantic song that found the right place to be featured in. Quaranteen Crush [Kashyap’s film] is set in Chandigarh amid the pandemic. I had the initial tune in mind, which I elaborated on with my friend Sameer, while Gurpreet contributed to the lyrics,” says the actor. 

Tracing the emotions encountered during love at first sight, the track, he says, sheds light on teenage romance “It depicts the innocence of love. Quaranteen Crush shows a world where everything seems beautiful.”

With Khurrana and Kashyap having found love in each other at a young age, creating this offering today was evidently “magical”. “I love exploring new things, and with Tahira by my side, it becomes beautiful. We share a great companionship at work, and I feel privileged to contribute to her film. We’re able to connect and communicate with each other well, and that enriched the entire process. The most memorable part of this journey was working with her. I used to have similar jamming sessions with my friends and Tahira, 15 years ago. The process made me nostalgic.”

Despite the success he has achieved as an actor, Khurrana finds himself returning to composition and writing so often that he refuses to categorise himself as an actor alone. “I like to think of myself as an artiste, one who belongs everywhere — be it in front of the camera, or behind it. It isn’t something I have done for the first time because I’ve made music many times in the past. Also, working with your loved ones is always preferred.”

On Wednesday, our wait for the golden statuette for Best International Feature Film was extended by a year as Malayalam film Jallikattu, India’s official entry to the 93rd Academy Awards, failed to make the cut. However, there was much to cheer about as Karishma Dev Dube’s Bittu earned a spot in the shortlist of the Short Film in Live Action category. The Student Oscar-winning film competed against 174 shorts across the globe, including Vidya Balan’s Natkhat and Sayani Gupta’s Shameless, to emerge among the top 10 chosen stories.  

Dube, who based her story on the 2013 food poisoning tragedy in Bihar, is “overwhelmed” by the recognition. “It’s every filmmaker’s dream to be recognised by the Academy. I remember there was a lot of media attention on the 2013 incident, and too many images available [online]. I [decided to] re-imagine the incident without going into how or why it happened. Ultimately, the film became about my boarding school experiences, my relationship with authority, and my friendships,” says the director, a recipient of the Dean’s Fellowship in New York University.

The short film is the maiden venture of Indian Women Rising (IWR), the collective founded by Ekta Kapoor, Guneet Monga, Tahira Kashyap Khurrana and Ruchikaa Kapoor. When mid-day reached out to them, the presenters said, “Firsts are always special, and Bittu holds a unique place in our endeavour. We are proud to represent India at the awards with a film that is so deeply rooted in our homeland.”

Elated as they are, the presenters are aware that they have crossed only the first hurdle. The second round of voting, which will determine the final five nominations, will begin on March 5. Knowing that lobbying plays a big role in a film’s graduation to the final shortlist, they are in the process of charting out an aggressive marketing plan. “We had a robust strategy to compete with 174 movies across the globe. The film’s festival runs were an added advantage, along with the support from NYU. Going forward, we will continue to focus on dedicated outreach towards the Academy voters.”

In the past few years, there has been a much-needed discussion about on-screen representation of women in Indian cinema. Unfortunately, there has been little focus on those behind the camera. Now, two years after Malayalam cinema witnessed the formation of Women in Cinema Collective, it is time for Bollywood to effect change. 

Producers Ekta Kapoor, Guneet Monga and filmmaker Tahira Kashyap Khurrana have joined forces to form Indian Women Rising (IWR), a collective that will discover, nurture and put the spotlight on female storytellers across the country.

Tracing its origin, Monga says, “Less than five per cent of directors in India are female. It’s time we change these statistics. We intend to use our combined resources to amplify independent women creators.”

While making a movie is the first step of the journey, IWR will step in during the second phase — when the project requires marketing and distribution support. It will provide resources to determine the film’s positioning, market it aggressively to catch the attention of mainstream media around the world, and eventually find the right buyers. While any filmmaker in or outside of India is eligible to apply, the association presently is seeking only finished films — be it a short, documentary or feature film. 

Kashyap, in charge of zeroing in on the movies that they will back, says the move will translate into more nuanced depiction of female characters on screen. “We are often stereotyped — we are either revolutionaries, or tragedy-stricken damsels. Our various shades will surface if we have more women working not only in front of the camera, but also behind it. This [venture] intends to disrupt the boxed notions about [our tribe].” Kapoor adds, “When Guneet and Tahira shared the idea of launching the collective, I instantly said yes. Women can create wonders when given the right opportunity and support. We hope IWR will encourage more female directors to come forward with their work.”