Showing posts with label Yami Gautam interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yami Gautam interview. Show all posts
The way award functions have been functioning, it’s like they are saying ‘Don’t take us seriously’-Yami Gautam
10:16 AM
Neha Sharma (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 13, 2025)
Ever since her latest film Haq hit theatres, actor Yami Gautam Dhar has been experiencing an emotional outpouring from her fans like never before.
Many women have come up to her, sharing how relatable her character felt, some even kissed her hand, teary-eyed, telling her how empowered they felt after watching her in the film based on the famous Shah Bano case in which a muslim woman fought a legal battle for maintenance from her husband.
For Yami, who has delivered power packed performances in recent years, this recognition feels long due.
“I think everyone has their own interpretation of validation. For me, true validation is when your audience accepts you. When they watch a film and write something, be it a comment or when they tell an artiste something, that purity reflects in their eyes and words. You can feel how much they mean the compliment. It’s very heartening and overwhelming for me as an artiste,” she says.
It’s double celebration in the family these days. Success of her film apart, her husband, filmmaker Aditya Dhar is winning praise for his latest production, Baramulla. “We are very happy,” she smiles. “Aditya’s had his own journey, which has been full of challenges, but staying true to yourself, ethical and honest, that’s a rarity, and I really respect him for that. Of course, I love him; he’s my husband. But with love, that respect is equally important. As a wife, as an artiste, as someone who’s part of the same industry, I respect him. He’s taken the harder way, done what he believes is right, and what gives him peaceful sleep.”
So, has she felt inspired to step behind the camera herself? “No, no, no!” she laughs. “I still feel there’s so much more to explore in acting. I need to figure out what’s next, what more I can do, how differently I can be part of something so that I don’t have to say what kind of films I like. My filmography should speak for me, that I like versatility.”
And her career trajectory spells versatility all the way. Ever since her debut with Vicky Donor in 2012, Yami has built a solid filmography, choosing scripts that stand out. Her process, she says, is entirely instinctive. “Right from Haq, Article 370 ( 2024), OMG 2 (2023) to A Thursday (2022), Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga (2023) or Bala (2019), if I felt the script was good and the choice was right, yes, I chose them. But because someone wrote it, I cannot take that credit. It has to go to the writers, and that’s what we, as an industry, need to value even more now. When I’m done reading a script, my decision is absolutely based on instinct. I don’t overthink. I read it both as an artiste and as an audience.”
As appreciation continues to pour in, Yami has already signed four new films. “It’s the producer’s prerogative to announce,” she smiles when we prod for details. But she’s more than willing to talk about being the audience’s darling and how staying away from trends and formulas has worked for her.
Your fans are betting on a National award for Haq. Are you expecting one, and how much do awards mean to you?
I’m only imagining the headlines out of this because I have no idea how to answer this question. I’m really trying to be so careful and measured. I don’t want to sound like anything that I’m not.
But I’m sure you’ve read the social media posts...
I have, and it’s my audience saying it. So, I think that in itself is a really big thing for me. I’m here because of them and, of course, the belief of certain directors in me when probably not many believed. I don’t go to any award functions, with all due respect to them.
Yes, you are not seen at parties and award functions as such, but it’s said that the film industry is all about networking at such events...
That must be true. There is no denial about it. But if I don’t connect with that, then how do I work? How do I tell someone that I want this opportunity? I’ll work really hard, identify the right scripts and wait for that opportunity from certain directors to take that chance with me, which is what happened in 2019 with Uri, with Aditya (Dhar, filmmaker and her husband). But socially or in terms of going against my personality, something that doesn’t make me happy, or I feel I’m being asked to do something or fit in a system, if that is the system, that’s not me. That was never me. The only way out was work, slowly and steadily. Then yes, awards. There’s a certain section that may believe (in them), so whatever works for you. But the way award functions have been functioning of late, it’s like they themselves are saying ‘Don’t take us seriously’. And I’m not saying it. The audience is saying it now. That means tomorrow, if someone’s there in my position, they will know that both can coexist.
Your son Vedavid is just 1.5 years old. But do you think about which films of yours you’d like to show him later?
I think we’ll come to that when he reaches that age. He’s too young right now, as you said, and I really haven’t thought about it. But my mother said something very sweet to me when I was expecting him, I was shooting for Article 370 (2024) and of course, the mind of a first-time mother or just any mother... It’s your first baby, you’re working in a film like this, and the gazillion questions! The one thing she said was, ‘If you’re fit to work, don’t worry. Your son inherently will value the importance of being a hard worker, like his mum. So you’ll be very proud. You go for it, you give your best. We’re here to take care of you.’ So I used to literally feel the two of us working in every scene. I think that is going to be really special because I’d be like, ‘You are part of that film, you know?’
Haq is not singling out people from a certain community or maligning it-Emraan Hashmi
10:34 AM
Yami Gautam Dhar and Emraan Hashmi meet the winners of HT City Stars in the City as they talk about their upcoming film and its hopeful impact
Compiled by Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 5, 2025)
Emraan Hashmi and Yami Gautam Dhar were in Delhi recently to meet the winners of the latest edition of HT City Stars In The City. The actors, who will soon be seen together in Haq, were game for any questions that came their way.
The conversation with Sonal Kalra, Chief Managing Editor-Entertainment & Lifestyle, began with a light-hearted chat about Delhi and its food, but soon ventured into serious territory. The duo’s upcoming film, revolving around the landmark Shah Bano case, deals with a sensitive theme: a divorced Muslim woman fighting for maintenance from her husband.
Sharing how he approached the role and the nuances it demanded, Emraan said, “I had to see it from the lens of a Muslim for the first time. The script wanted to humanize the man a bit, although in retrospect, it might seem like a patriarchal angle. Hero vs villain would have been typical; that’s what we generally do in Bollywood to sell our films. But this film takes a very unbiased look at the case.”
As for Yami, who has often been labelled the ‘poster girl of nationalism’ and is now taking what could be seen as a ‘risk’ with Haq, she said, “I have been in the industry since 2012. I made my debut with a film unconventional for its time, Vicky Donor (2012). I’m trying to stick to being that person I always was. The only reason I should exist here, or mean something to someone, is through my work. For that, my role, my script, and my team are very important.”
On a scale of 1-10, when you heard that Haq is inspired by the Shah Bano case, how jittery were you thinking this is controversial?
Yami: Controversy, debate, discussion — that is not the first thought as an artiste. It’s always how I feel after reading the script. Of course, it’s the powerful story of a very courageous woman back in the 1980s. Today, there are multiple conversations to express what we want, what can be done to make things better. Back in the day, there was nothing of that sort. That woman did it without the intent of making it controversial, but just to literally do what every mother does for their child. How can she provide the best for her children? I thought Haq was a wonderfully written script.
Emraan: There were questions when I signed this film. I have done films of a certain nature. But it’s very important as an actor to do a gamut of characters. That, for me, is growth as an artiste. If you don’t risk things, that’s not art, that’s empty marketing. You do those popcorn flicks that release and are forgotten after the first week of theatrical release, which is fine, that’s part of business. But films (like Haq) are important, too. You want to do films that leave behind a message and will stay in people’s conversations... Haq is not singling out people from a certain community or maligning it. It’s about people from a community; it could be any community.
Yami, you have the image now of being the poster girl for nationalism. People think you are sticking to tradition when other women in Bollywood are more westernized. Were you told that Shah Bano’s case supports a nationalistic cause of common laws in the country, and was that a reason to do this film?
If there is any other motivation for me to choose the kind of roles that I do other than creative, the whole purpose of being an artiste fails.
Emraan, your recent role in The Ba***ds Of Bollywood went viral. How’s it been?
First of all, that line ‘Akkha Bollywood ek taraf, Emraan Hashmi ek taraf’ was a masterstroke by writers Bilal Siddiqui and Aryan Khan (also director of the series). That was not the original scene written for me! At first, (my character) was supposed to be at a film premiere, and (actor) Raghav Juyal’s character starts crying as he sees me. But one month before the show’s shoot, (the role) became an intimacy coordinator. Aryan called Bilal, and then I was asked if I was okay doing it. I was like, ‘If I can’t play an intimacy coordinator, nobody else can!’ Shah Rukh (Khan, actor) sir loved the idea, and we shot the scene. There was a lot of improv… Raghav’s crying had us in splits. We didn’t expect that he would go to that level of OTT (over the top)! You don’t know what goes viral and sticks with the audience.
How did your son Ayaan react to the show’s popularity?
Life hasn’t changed after the show; I realized it’s something fans have been missing, a vintage version of what people had seen. My son, though, is embarrassed about it. In school, they had to facilitate things, either head a certain society or something. All his friends said, ‘Why don’t you become an intimacy coach?’ He’s like, ‘You have ruined things for me at school! (laughs)’
The more you spend time, the more your baby teaches you-Yami Gautam
8:30 AM
In her first interview as a mum, actor Yami Gautam Dhar opens up about the newest member of her family, her son Vedavid aka Junior Dhar
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 14, 2024)
Actor Yami Gautam Dhar, who welcomed her son Vedavid with husband, director and screenwriter Aditya Dhar on May 10, feels “giving birth to a child can feel like giving birth to yourself”. On her first Children’s Day with Vedavid, she gushes about his role in her life, and the meaning behind his name.
‘I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE I AM A MUM’
Even though motherhood has been life-altering for her, Yami shares how she’s still getting used to this phase of her life. “I still don’t believe that I am a mum! Especially when I have to refer to Vedavid as ‘my son’ while I am talking to someone,” the 35-year-old shares.
Recounting her experience of giving birth, she adds, “When I came back home from the hospital, I just took a moment and sat next to Aditya. I remember I told him, ‘I don’t know how to explain this, but it feels like my life before this moment is nothing but a blur.’ This is no exaggeration. Everything — psychologically, emotionally, physically — changes in one moment.”
IT’S ALL IN THE NAME
Vedavid is a unique name, we point out. Ask if there’s a special meaning behind the name and Yami shares, “It is one of the names of Lord Vishnu and also Lord Shiva. It also refers to the one who knows all the Vedas. [So] there’s a lot of pressure on him! (laughs).”
She continues, “[But] every day I come up with a new nickname for him. Although, the one which has stuck with us is JD or Junior Dhar. My brother Ojas came up with it while we were watching a film during my pregnancy. I liked the name so much that we’ve kept it. At that time, everyone asked, ‘What if it’s a girl?’ and I responded that we’d still call her JD,” she chuckles.
Yami Gautam Dhar has always kept details of her life private. And now, this extends to her son, six-month-old Vedavid. “It’s a conscious decision,” she tells us about the decision to shield her son from the shutterbugs.
“Of course, we (she and husband, director Aditya Dhar) are public figures. But it’s a personal choice; the whole idea is to be protective of your child. Of course, the curiosity is understandable. But it’s like Pandora’s box. Once you open it, there’s no looking back or controlling it. Getting pictures clicked does affect a kid’s psychology,” she adds.
‘Thank God for my mum’
The 35-year-old also confesses that no amount of reading manuals or books can prepare one for motherhood. “You’re literally learning every day. The more you spend time, the more your baby teaches you. I try not to open the internet for everything there is.”
The actor also credits mum Anjali for helping her navigate this new phase. “Thank God for mothers! [My mum] is such a hands-on mother. I keep saying every day ‘I don’t know what I would do if it was not for my mummy’,” Yami shares.
‘Aditya is a hands-on dad’
Yami is also all praise for Aditya, who has been making time for daddy duties, despite a busy schedule. “Aditya is in the middle of his own shoot. But whenever he gets time, he comes to meet us; the baby feels the happiness,” she says.
Elaborating on the bond between father and son, Yami gushes, “He is a hands-on father, a burp expert, and Vedavid loves him. The moment he spots Aditya, he lights up! He feels so shy, then suddenly jumps on him even before you know it.”
We all are thrilled that next year there will be another member joining us for Holi-Yami Gautam
9:54 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; March 23, 2024)
Growing up with two siblings – sister Surilie and brother Ojas – Holi was a lot of fun for Yami Gautam Dhar. She shares, “I remember, a night before the festival, we would decide what clothes to wear and, in the morning, our mom would apply oil on our faces and bodies so that the colour could come off easily. Once we were done playing, we would excitedly go home to see our mother’s reaction. Later, we would binge on gujiyas.”
The actress, who is celebrating Holi in Mumbai this year, is excited to try Maharashtrian delicacies. “These days, I am happy to binge on any sweets and whatever is homemade,” says Yami, who is all set to welcome her first child with husband Aditya Dhar.
Talking about her current state of mind, she shares, “I am just very happy, and it is important to be happy and healthy. We all are thrilled that next year there will be another member joining us for Holi. However, it is also said that when you are expecting, your baby is also experiencing the same emotions as you are, which is exciting.”
On the work front, post-marriage, Yami and Aditya, who collaborated earlier on Uri: The Surgical Strike, are also working on their new film together called Dhoom Dhaam. In the last couple of years, Yami has been seen in movies like A Thursday, Dasvi, Lost and Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga. This year, she headlined Article 370, for which she won appreciation.
Speaking about the roles coming her way, she says, “I see a major shift in the way filmmakers are approaching me. Having said that, I believe the power of the script comes first.”
The actress is currently enjoying her pregnancy. She shares, “I am not calling it a break. Yes, in this phase, you certainly need time for yourself, but I am already reading scripts. There’s also a soft commitment for another film, and they have been kind enough to wait and have asked me to take my time. That is a welcome shift when we talk about the evolution in the industry. And the credit for that goes to many other actresses. As it took generations to reach where we are today.”
This is validation in its truest form. Those claps and hoots are music to our ears-Yami Gautam, Aditya Dhar
9:03 AM
In an exclusive chat with us, Yami and Aditya talk about being pregnant and the success of their recently released movie, Article 370
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 29, 2024)
Actor Yami Gautam Dhar and filmmaker Aditya Dhar sit down with HT City for their first-ever interview as a couple after they announced their pregnancy to the world during the promotion of the film Article 370.
TWO GOOD NEWS
“We got into films because we wished someday hamari film ki bhi tareef hogi, log seetiyaan bajayenge,” Aditya says in response to Article 370’s extraordinary reviews. He adds, “It happened first with Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019), and now with this movie. To see this kind of response in multiplexes, which usually happens on single screens, this love... We are on top of the world. A lot of people discouraged us. ‘Yeh film nahin chalegi’, it’s a technical film, and it also had a lot of English. But we always felt that people have this tendency, especially in our industry, to underestimate our audiences.”
Yami, who portrayed an intelligence officer in the movie, adds, “This is validation in its truest form. Those claps and hoots are music to our ears.”
While snacking and looking radiantly pregnant, she jokes, “I will eat and talk; no manners or etiquette; I am getting the signal that I need to eat.”
BABY ON BOARD
The pair got married in 2021 and expecting their first child in May this year. Reflecting at the moment they learnt about the pregnancy during the shooting of Article 370, Aditya recalls, “Luckily, our action portions were done by then [the pregnancy]. We were in the hotel... It was a really happy moment, something I will remember for the rest of our lives.” Yami joins, “You are never prepared for a moment like that. You only realise it once you are in it. I can’t stop smiling... It’s a personal time; we are private people. We had to be cautious.”
Aditya ensured they had a panel of doctors available 24/7 during the shoot. Yami says, “But never did I want to hold myself back. I wanted to have the same strength that my mom had when she was pregnant. I am so lucky to have a life partner like Aditya; he has been a huge support.”
It is a happy occasion when a joint collaboration hits it out of the park. In Yami Gautam Dhar and Aditya Dhar’s case, they met and began dating on the sets of their first collab, Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019). Now, with their second film together, Article 370, the duo are en route to become parents.
KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY?
The fact that Aditya’s wife is playing the lead in a film he is producing might seem ‘obvious’ to some people. However, Aditya tells us that Yami is approached, just like any other actor, whenever he is working on a new project. “We are always professional. It is our second production with Yami and it is always routed through her management. When we talk about commercials too, it is never across the table. Our company and producers decided unanimously that we should go with Yami. And she has given her heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears to this film,” he says.
POLITICAL FILMS — A RISK?
Yami has always chosen unconventional films, right from her debut, Vicky Donor (2012) to Article 370. Taking up political films can put you into a box and even lead to backlash for the actor. However, Yami isn’t apprehensive when she signs on.
“Thinking back to the Yami who did her first film on a subject which had stigmas attached. I remember after finishing the shoot, and I was still giving auditions, they’d ask if I had done any films. I remember the reaction [I’d get when I told them]. So I started saying, ‘You will know. It’s a good film’. It’s fear which will create a layer of inhibition and pull you back from exploring your potential. I like to go with my gut. I know in my heart why I signed this film. Of course, I was aware there will be debates.”
ONLY LOVE AND RESPECT
Aditya, a proud and caring husband, brushes off a stray hair from his wife’s forehead as she talks to us. Getting candid about how she preps for her films, he says, “You can ask our director, she is extraordinary. I have been telling her, for the last five years, it shouldn’t have taken her 10 years to get where she is. If it was some [star] kid with a start like Vicky Donor, their career would’ve been at a whole other level by now.”
Hearing the heavy praise from her husband, Yami fights back tears, sniffles and says, “People say it’s pregnancy hormones, I know how much control I need right now to conceal my emotions.”
No one knew what the movie Article 370 was about. It had to be kept a secret-Yami Gautam
11:25 PM
Yami discusses how her film Article 370, which traces the 2019 revocation of J&K’s special status, was shot in a hush-hush manner; recounts her prep with the NSG
Hiren Kotwani (MID-DAY; February 12, 2024)
In today’s age of social media, it’s almost impossible to keep the details of a film under wraps. But the makers of Article 370, led by Yami Gautam Dhar, ensured that they kept the project hush-hush while they shot it in Kashmir last year.
“No one knew what the movie was about. It had to be kept a secret. We are thankful to the police, the CRPF [Central Reserve Police Force] and the Armed Forces for taking care of us during the shoot,” begins the lead actor.
Director Aditya Suhas Jambhale’s political thriller looks at the events around the 2019 abrogation of Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu & Kashmir in terms of autonomy. Gautam portrays a National Investigation Agency intel officer, who played a role in maintaining peace in the Valley. Aware that retelling a real-life story on celluloid is a big responsibility, she walked into the Jio Studios and B62 Studios’ venture armed with prep.
“We’ve seen some of the best [weapons] in the world. I loved the weeks of training. [It taught me] how to hold a gun with precision, and treat it not as an object in my hand, but as a part of me. Retd Col Keshvendra Singh and Bhushan [Vartak] sir from the NSG [National Security Guard] guided us so that we could keep things as authentic as possible.”
Before the shoot, Gautam also trained at the NSG centre in Mumbai. “When we entered the NSG compound, thanks to Colonel Kirpal Singh ji, it was a different experience altogether. To practice there was very enriching as we got an exposure to the kind of precision they work with, when you can hear each and every breath, for example. To be a small part of that work and make it come alive on celluloid was the best experience.”
Article 370 will be a memorable movie for Gautam for a personal reason too - during the shoot, the actor learnt that she was pregnant. The mother-to-be looks radiant as she says, “When you are pregnant, you have so many questions, so many firsts. I’m lucky to have Aditya [Dhar, filmmaker-husband] by my side.”
Was shooting an action thriller at such a stage tricky? She says that fortunately, all action sequences were canned before she learnt of the pregnancy. Being more centred and cautious was her mantra for the rest of the filming. “You have a life growing inside you, you’re responsible for it. At the same time, [you have to] balance it with commitment to work. Precautions are important; I have to be cautious, but not conscious.”
If one female actor’s film stands out, it makes space for more-Yami Gautam
10:21 AM
Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; December 28, 2023)
It won’t be wrong to say that Yami Gautam Dhar is probably in the best phase of her career right now. Her recent spate of films has made filmmakers more aware of what lies untapped and how they can mould her for a variety of characters. She admits, “It took a lot of time for everyone to turn around and say, ‘We didn’t think of her in the same light’.” Now the arc lights are shining bright on her, the floor is all set, and Yami is here, bringing on her A-game. Excerpts from a conversation.
You have had an interesting few years, with back-to-back releases on OTT. Do you think the medium has opened doors for you and tapped your potential like never before?
I see this whole phase as a process of evolving, and fortunately, before the pandemic struck, I had two important theatrical releases, Uri – The Surgical Strike and Bala. To get a role like the one in Bala was so different. I don’t think we have enough well-written comedy parts for actresses. These films opened up the box office, and for me, they opened avenues and gave other directors ideas on what more they could explore with me as an actor. After that, I did A Thursday, Dasvi, Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga, Lost and OMG 2. For me, the whole idea of choosing films is not about filling in some dates in my calendar and doing one film after the other. I need to feel that the work I am choosing is taking me ahead, not just from the box office point of view, though I understand that is critical, too. I need to know that the work I choose has something new to offer and the potential to connect with the audience.
So, films like Uri – The Surgical Strike and Bala were the gamechangers?
Yes, Uri and Bala were turning points in my career. Those films allowed everyone to see my potential from a new lens.
You started your journey in the movies on a very different note, with an unconventional film like Vicky Donor. Was that your way of setting the tone for your career?
If I chose to be part of a film like that at the beginning of my career, what does that tell the audience? That you are here to do something with substance, and not just be a part of what is trending. What follows is not in your hand, and in my case, it took a lot of time for everyone to turn around and say, ‘We didn’t think of her in the same light’. There was a period when I was trying to find my ground. I had clarity, but that had to be expressed through my work. And there comes a point when you don’t fear saying no and let go of films that you don’t think you should be a part of, because you want to create equity for yourself and be a pivotal part of stories. For me, this realization happened around 2019. So, I, too, had to shift gears, evolve, and change my perspective.
Do you see a change in the way the industry views women in cinema – the kind of roles they can do and what they can bring to the table with their talent?
There has been a change, and I do sense an awareness among actresses and respect for them among writers, directors and producers who back good films. We want well-written roles, and we want to be pivotal to the story irrespective of the genre. The change will not happen in one day; years ago, it took one woman to muster the courage to go home and say she wanted to become an actress. Since then, we have had a series of great actresses because of whom we are here. Today, we are doing better work, expecting better roles, and making a place for ourselves, and if one female actor’s film stands out and does well, it makes space for more.
You have been married to filmmaker Aditya Dhar (director of Uri: The Surgical Strike) for over two years now. Tell us how this phase in your life has been so far.
It’s the best feeling to come back home to someone who loves you, respects you and is always on your team, no matter what. We talk about everything – from what we ate to discussing the scenes I shot. We like to keep it light and happy. Both of us like talking about films, and not just the films we are working on, but different kinds of movies. It is so refreshing for the actor in me to hear a director’s perspective on a certain scene. I love his perspective and observations on my work, too.
Today, things like the length of your role in a film and how many scenes you have doesn’t matter. It is about the bigger picture, right?
Internationally, we see some of the biggest stars coming together for a film and if we want to take our cinema ahead, we have to let go of these things (like the length of your role) and create a sense of new culture where these factors are not a hindrance. We (the industry) and the media should change their lens. For so many of my films, including Kaabil, I have been written about for the length of my role, instead of what I added to the film or what I held as an actor on my own. We all need to evolve if we wish to make the change.
On social media perceptions
I don’t believe there is anything like ‘couple goals’. I find it very interesting to read these terms, and people get excited by them because they see them (couples) in a certain way. You will never know about anyone’s life, every marriage is different and every picture you see is very different. So, you don’t need to engineer that thought in people”
Artistes would never do a film that will hurt their audience-Yami Gautam
9:23 AM
Playing a confident lawyer in OMG 2, Yami says it was crucial to weave in a female character to reflect the sentiments of women across different strata
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; August 16, 2023)
Usually, a movie release sparks joy among its actors who have dedicated months to its making. But the run-up to the release of OMG 2—starring Akshay Kumar, Pankaj Tripathi and Yami Gautam—was a tumultuous time as the Central Board of Certification (CBFC) requested modifications, while fringe groups objected to the film even before viewing it. In such a scenario, how does it affect the actors’ psyche? Gautam says while she understood the curiosity around the film, the resistance was hard to comprehend.
“There is nothing inflammatory in the film. Ten years ago, I did Vicky Donor, which was an important family film. We are in 2023 today. Sex education is an important subject. I understand the curiosity around it because it’s a sequel to a famous film. But why would any of us want to jeopardize our names? Artistes would never do a film that will hurt their audience.”
In Amit Rai’s directorial venture, Tripathi’s character sues the school after his son is expelled, and locks horns with Gautam’s character, who is the school’s legal counsel. If the film is to be broken down broadly, she plays a negative character.
“Antagonist is a stretch, but my character represents the voice of our society. [Through her], we showed what people are conditioned to believe,” she says, adding that the director wanted her to represent the woman of today.
“Amit wanted someone who is relatable, poised and sassy. He wanted gravitas on screen. I didn’t want to stand there stating facts, I had the opportunity to add depth to the character. The film could get verbose, but the emotions [prevented that.]”
The actor notes that such subjects run the risk of being viewed from the male gaze, which is why it was crucial to have a female voice in the movie.
“It’s the sort of film that women in tier-2 cities should be comfortable watching. A modern woman was important to be seen on screen, and she needed to reflect the sentiments of women across strata. In the film, my character says how she is often the only woman in the room. I have to credit Amit for bringing that in the writing sensitively.”
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Despite several hiccups before its release, Yami Gautam Dhar is glad moviegoers gave her latest film a chance
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 16, 2023)
Yami Gautam Dhar can finally heave a sigh of relief. The actor’s latest release, OMG 2, faced several obstacles — an uncertain release, a box-office clash and an A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). But the film, which talks about the importance of sex-education in school, has won the audience’s heart and crossed the Rs. 50 crore mark. Her first theatrical outing in four years, she “was very confident” about the film’s success.
The 34-year-old adds, “When I first watched it, I thought, ‘This film is definitely going to work. I will be surprised if it doesn’t’. The tone wasn’t meant to titillate or sensationalize and the audience understood the film’s intention. What happened later (the CBFC asking for changes and giving it an A certificate) wasn’t in our control.”
The actor feels that the reasons a film is given an A certificate are vast: “Ten years ago, if I told you one line on Vicky Donor (2012), eyebrows would be raised, but it got a U/A certificate. OMG 2 has even more important concepts and there was no mal intention behind making it. The audience and theatres are saying, ‘We wish we could show it to teens’. I also wish that the target audience was allowed to watch it. But I’m thankful that despite everything, the audience has embraced it.”
I decided, main mann maar ke kaam nahin karungi-Yami Gautam
8:06 AM
From feeling unwelcome, to now finding a solid foothold, Yami Gautam Dhar has come a long way in her career
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 24, 2023)
Feeling cornered in the film industry, especially when you are someone with no connections, is a reality for many. After actor Priyanka Chopra Jonas shared her experience in the industry, it led to other actors talking about the same.
Yami Gautam Dhar’s journey too hasn’t been a rosy one and it has taken years to get her due. “Being in films is not like two plus two. It is not definite. The decision to cast you is literally in someone else’s hands. However, even when you feel you are talented, there will always be a reason why it’s not working out. Sometimes, you hear ‘you are still not big enough’,” feels the Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga actor.
But she doesn’t harbour bad feelings for those who made her feel unwelcome initially in her career. “I am reserved by nature,” says Dhar, who feels she has “a good working equation with everyone”. “I never considered myself smart enough to strike up a conversation. I don’t think I was ever great with words. I have been through situations where with just that one look, you can feel that person perceiving ‘you are not there yet, you are not welcome, you have just not made it yet’,” shares the 34-year-old.
But rather than settling for mediocre roles, she was ready to give it all up. “I decided, main mann maar ke kaam nahin karungi. The film industry can consume you. Before Bala and Uri: The Surgical Strike (both 2019), I was happy to go back and pursue farming.”
All this is not verbalized in so many words, she feels, “They (people) are not saying anything, but you can feel you’re being told ‘you are not cool enough’. But there have also been good people. I get calls from certain people, who say ‘Hamesha lagta tha achha kaam kiya tumne, Vicky Donor mein, phir kaam kyun nahin mila’... theek hai, aisa hota hai. Chadte huye sooraj ko sab salaam karte hain.”
Emotional pain is beyond debates and agendas, says Yami Gautam as she bats for The Kashmir Files
8:33 AM
Yami Gautam Dhar feels that for every movie, there will always be some with a different opinion
Monika Rawal Kukreja (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 25, 2022)
A few days ago, actor Yami Gautam Dhar had tweeted about how being married to a Kashmiri Pandit (filmmaker Aditya Dhar), she was made aware of the “atrocities that this peace-loving community has gone through”. Referring to the recently released The Kashmir Files by Vivek Agnihotri whose unprecedented success has taken the fraternity and box-office by storm, Yami even urged everyone to watch and support the film.
Speaking to us, Yami says, “We are very happy with how the film has been received. And it’s not just the success or numbers but it shows what people connect with or want to see or how they feel.”
The actor goes on, “We have read or heard about it (the Kashmir exodus) briefly, but we never really knew the details of what exactly happened. When I met Aditya and his family, [they told me] all this has actually happened. And it is so painful. That’s the truth and it was long due to be told.”
However, she confesses that she is yet to watch the film: “I will watch it as soon as I can. I’m just busy shooting and working night shifts plus promoting a film. And The Kashmir Files is not a film that you can just squeeze in time for and go or watch after pack up. And I want to take my time... It’s not going to be an easy watch as you can see it from the reactions of everybody who has watched it.”
That being said, Yami reveals that Aditya did book a ticket and reached the theatre. But “he couldn’t watch the film”. She says, “It was very overwhelming for him. He said it would be too traumatic to revisit all those memories. It would be difficult to muster the courage to watch and relive the past even if it’s [via] a film.”
Asked if it bothers them that the film is being labelled as a propaganda project to divide people or incite hate, and the 33-year-old says, “This is beyond filmmaking... When you know in your heart the intention [with which] something has been made [being tagged as propaganda], it’s even more painful.”
Referring to trolls or the section of society raising questions on the intentions behind this film, Yami further adds that they should rather talk to the victims: “If someone feels the other way, why don’t they speak to people who have spent years and years in those refugee camps? I think they would be able to answer these people [asking questions] better.”
Making peace with the fact that there will always be some with a different opinion, Yami concludes, “I would love to go with what I have heard, and who I trust. And so many people cannot lie. Emotional pain is beyond all these debates and agendas.”
One child is equivalent to 10 kids on set. For A Thursday, we shot with 16-Yami Gautam
10:13 PM
As a flawed kidnapper in the thriller, Yami says A Thursday offered her a character far removed from the happy-go-lucky ones she has played
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; February 20, 2022)
As a school teacher behind the kidnapping of 16 children in A Thursday, Yami Gautam has evidently stepped into a role far removed from the ones she’s attempted so far. While the actor did not mirror any artistes who has played a similar part on screen, she did consume a fair share of international flicks. “There are some good psychological thrillers made in the past. I watched a couple of films. I am fond of the genre, but a lot had to be left to imagination. I had to make my character’s story [relatable] and that takes a lot of homework.”
Gautam says her desire to understand her flawed character’s psyche took a toll on her. “When I’d reached the set, I’d feel heavy in my body. I realised that I was aiming to understand Naina, and was not judging her. The mental conditioning can be overpowering, but that’s an important part of the process.”
Having been perceived as a vivacious actor, Gautam says she has attracted similar parts, most of which, she says, were “not a true reflection of my [calibre] as an actor”. She doesn’t discredit the work coming her way, but points to films like Uri, Kaabil and Vicky Donor as films that showcased her prowess. “I was constantly looking for scripts that could help me express myself, as an actor, I need to explore my potential. A Thursday presented that opportunity.”
In line with the role that she played for the Disney+ Hotstar series, Gautam made it a point to avoid getting familiar with the kids who she holds hostage on screen. “One child is equivalent to 10 kids on set. We shot with 16. I didn’t want to become too familiar because they would not take me seriously when the cameras rolled. They were very smart, and aware, and we understood one another’s energy. They are such an integral part of the film, and have done a terrific job. For some sensitive scenes, we had to ensure that we shot them separately with the kids to get the desired reaction.”
People would talk about how my keratosis pilaris condition should be airbrushed or concealed-Yami Gautam
8:10 AM
Gautam with Roy Chowdhury
Yami, who has promising films in Lost and A Thursday, says it was “liberating” to open up on her skin condition keratosis pilaris
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 27, 2021)
It’s hard to steal some time from Yami Gautam who has been “mad busy” shooting films back-to-back throughout 2021. The actor will soon be seen in Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s Lost. Quiz her whether there is enough room for creativity in such a tight schedule, and she says, “I don’t underestimate the importance of giving enough prep-time for my characters. When you are this busy, that is sacrosanct. The quality of work speaks louder than the volume. Every film is an exhibit to get better work. Prep is not just about physical training; it is about being emotionally on the same plane as your character. I ensure that I know my script thoroughly, nuance my part with imagination, and nail the body language.”
Chowdhury’s emotional thriller tackles the subject of media integrity, with Gautam playing a crime reporter. For the actor, it was an all-consuming project. “If we are talking about media integrity in today’s times, it must feel authentic. The characters have to feel familiar. Tony da [Chowdhury] gives the freedom to be as natural as possible. It makes me proud to be part of a film that stands for certain values. In a fast-paced world driven by competition, emotions don’t hold the same value. Lost and A Thursday are two films that have made me discover a lot about myself.”
Films aside, her unafraid attitude reflects in her social media posts too. Recently, she opened up on battling keratosis pilaris, a condition that leaves the skin patchy and with small bumps. Having been the poster girl for glowing skin for over a decade, Gautam’s post was a reminder to be real at a time when the beauty industry propagates perfection.
“Writing the post wasn’t difficult; it was liberating. The journey from the time when I learnt of my condition to the day I put the post out, was challenging. When people saw me at shoot, they would talk about how it should be airbrushed or concealed. That would affect me a lot. It took years to accept it and wear my confidence. I was overwhelmed to see the response to the post.”
Aditya Dhar can cook Kashmiri and Italian cuisine really well. He also makes great chai-Yami Gautam
8:13 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; November 2, 2021)
Given their erratic work schedules, newly married couple, filmmaker Aditya Dhar and actress Yami Gautam Dhar have hardly had any time for themselves. While the director has been busy working on scripts, the actress has been shooting for her projects. However, with the festive season kicking off, the couple is making the most of their time with each other. In a conversation with BT, Yami reveals her plans this Diwali and talks about life post marriage. Excerpts:
Soon after your marriage this year, you started shooting. Has the festive season brought some respite from work? How are you planning to celebrate your first Diwali after marriage this year?
For me, festivities have always been about spending time with family in Chandigarh. Luckily, through Navratri and Dusshera, I was in my hometown with Aditya. Right after marriage, as per our customs and traditions, we were supposed to visit my husband’s ancestral temple, which we couldn’t due to the pandemic. So, we recently went there to seek blessings. We are celebrating Diwali at our new home in Mumbai with both our parents coming over. They are very excited as this is our first Diwali after marriage. We’ll be decorating the house with diyas and doing a puja at home. I love this feeling of being at home with my loved ones. After all, home is where your heart belongs. It makes you feel safe and secure. Aditya’s parents are really nice, warm and very loving.
Did you go shopping for your festive wardrobe?
For me, Diwali means new clothes. I am going to wear this beautiful traditional outfit that my mom and sister Surilie picked up for me. Actually, during my shaadi, both of them got new outfits for me, so that I could wear those for the events post marriage. However, we couldn’t be a part of these events due to the pandemic and work commitments, so I have plenty of clothes for such occasions. I am too lazy to shop, and I am happy that my mom and my sister did it for me. Also, Diwali and family gatherings call for good food, which I don’t have to worry about because Aditya and his folks are such excellent cooks. Aditya’s mom never lets me cook. They are Kashmiri, and they make such delicious traditional delicacies, so how could I deprive myself of it? Which is why I never complain and let them cook (laughs!). Aditya can cook Kashmiri and Italian cuisine really well. He also makes great chai. I am good at making desserts, and yes, I did cook a delicious Himachali dish for them one day and they all loved it.
You grew up in Chandigarh. What are your memories of celebrating Diwali in your hometown?
It’s a festival meant for inviting over your loved ones and visiting your near and dear ones. I have many sweet memories of celebrating Diwali in my neighbourhood with family and friends. We used to go to a local funfair and enjoy the rides there. The lanes of Chandigarh would look so pretty when all the streets would be lit up. There’s something in the air during Diwali... it looks so vibrant and you feel so positive. There would be amazing food stalls in the market and shops would be loaded with mithais and namkeens. At home, mom would make us help her clean the house before the festivities began. I enjoyed watching mom do the rangoli while I held the katori of colours for her. In the evening, my friends and I would light up the phuljhadis, while my neighbour would scare me by bursting loud crackers (laughs!).
Both Aditya and you have hectic schedules. How have you managed to take out time for each other?
That’s a struggle only we know about. Right after the wedding, we were back to work. While I started shooting for A Thursday, Aditya began working on multiple scripts, which will be going on floor soon. But let me tell you, Aditya is very good at managing schedules and chalking out things brilliantly. I have never seen Aditya in that zone where after work he gets back home saying, ‘Oh, I have had such a long day, I need to be by myself.’ Also, whenever I have come back home after a long working day, I have always seen him smile and go out of his way to welcome me. It makes my day. What else do you want after a long tiring day? Marriage is about love, friendship, companionship and doing things together to make each other happy. You learn to utilise and enjoy every bit of time that you have. We have chosen a profession that keeps us busy. So, whatever time and space we have, we just go along and enjoy the journey. Yes, you have work commitments where you are separated by distance, too, but you need to learn to nurture your relationship between all this. The best way to do it is by being flexible. If you have preconceived notions and set other couples’ relationships as examples, then it won’t work. You have to understand and respect each other’s work.
It feels like an achievement when journalists say that they were taken by surprise with my wedding-Yami Gautam
8:00 AM
A month after tying the knot with Uri director Aditya Dhar, Yami Gautam opens up on her private wedding ceremony, revealing how their romance unfolded and why the couple decided to keep it under wraps
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; July 21, 2021)
Celebs wanting to keep their high-profile wedding under wraps isn’t unheard of. However, in most cases, news of the couples’ exotic European high-end designer wedding travels faster than light back home. Actress Yami Gautam and director Aditya Dhar’s Himachali wedding last month, thus came as a pleasant surprise to one and all. No paps, no orchestrated candids, no event management professionals, fancy trousseau, the works. The minimalism was a remarkable exception to modern-day celeb weddings. Back in the city from Himachal, we asked the newly-wed bride all about her heartwarmingly intimate and private three-day wedding ceremony in the hills. Excerpts...
Aditya and you tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Mandi, Himachal on June 4. How did both of you manage to ensure that no one gets a whiff of it?
It feels like an achievement when journalists say that they were taken by surprise (smiles!). I feel a lot of things in our life are a reflection of who we are as people. Aditya and I are extremely private and reserved. Family means the world to us. I always knew that whenever this moment happens in my life, it will be a beautiful, small and a homely ceremony, pandemic or no pandemic. We didn’t plan this wedding, we just went along with it. We barely had a month to prepare. Even if there was no pandemic, this is exactly what we wanted — a wedding amidst nature and where our heart belongs — Himachal.
Very few knew that you two were seeing each other. When did the romance begin?
We started interacting when we worked on Uri: The Surgical Strike together. We got talking and developed a friendship during the promotion of the film. That’s when the relationship started. Even before we started seeing each other, I had a lot of respect for Aditya as a person and as a professional. He values people, no matter what. He is polite and courteous even in stressful situations as a director. I had heard stories about how he is genuinely nice to everyone and it’s true. He creates an atmosphere where you look forward to working everyday. There’s a lot of mutual respect between us. Love has a different meaning for different people. For me, it’s about having a nice heart. Above all, you need to be a good person and he’s just like that.
He is Kashmiri, you are from Himachal and the two of you met in Mumbai. What drew you to each other the most?
Aditya is a self-made guy and I adore that about him. I know of his journey. You don’t have to share interests with someone to be together, but a common value system. You can like/dislike totally different things and still find a common ground if the ethics are the same. Our core values are similar. We both belong to middle-class families and family means the world to us. Everyone said the wedding was so real, but that’s how we are as people — unpretentious. We do work in an industry and live in a city which is competitive, but should that change your value system? No. He is the rarest of rare people who is as simple as I am. We are dedicated to our work, but we can’t wait to get back home, share a meal with family and laugh together.
When did you know he’s the one?
You just know it. These things can’t be planned. We never decided that we will get married on June 4. It was like, shall we do it? Okay, let’s go ahead. You just know. It’s your gut feeling, an instinct can never fail you. Our families were equally happy. We didn’t need to convince anyone.
Growing up what were your fantasies about your wedding and was this any different?
The more I attended big weddings, I knew I didn’t want that. Of course, we don’t know the meaning of marriage early on, but going by my understanding and experience of attending weddings, I was sure about what I didn’t want. I am fortunate that both Aditya and I shared this thought. We both are averse to the wastage that happens in weddings — food, flower decorations and so many other things. Also, it’s so difficult to make everyone happy, so why not get married among those who actually care about you. The focus was solely on the ceremony and not us trying to please anyone. We were just two families enjoying the moment. Yes, we missed a lot of friends and relatives who couldn’t be there, but they all understood the importance of adhering to COVID restrictions. Only 20 people were allowed and this included the pandit who performed the wedding. We didn’t want to flout a single rule.
There was no ‘professional’ feel to your wedding. It took us back to the pre-Instagram times, when moments mattered more than the money spent on making them look memorable.
To each his own. I don’t believe in comparing weddings. Every bride is beautiful. Everyone thought it was right for me to go ahead with what I believed in and I was happy to do that. I was never fond of this whole DJ music playing at weddings. I liked my traditional folk songs. My mother-in-law played some beautiful Kashmiri songs. The maroon wedding sari I wore belongs to my mother. My nani had bought it for her. When I showed it to my stylist Allia Al Rufai, she said that it was beautiful and we don’t have these fabrics and patterns anymore. Personally, I wanted to wear something that is close to my heart and carries my tradition. You don’t need big money or expensive clothes to look beautiful on your wedding day. Girls can dig into their mother’s wardrobe and find gorgeous vintage saris. That’s your heritage. You don’t need to burn a hole in your pocket to be happy. The first mandap picture that we posted was clicked by my brother. I did my own make-up. My sister did my hair and coordinated everything. We had one person to click pictures, but he has known us for years.
Aditya has directed you before. Do you see the equation changing on set post marriage?
I can’t say that till he directs me again. So far, he isn’t directing me anytime soon, but you should ask him this (smiles!).
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Sugandha Rawal (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 21, 2021)
It was not love at first sight for actor Yami Gautam Dhar, instead it was friendship with filmmaker Aditya Dhar that bloomed into a bond which she will cherish for her entire life. Staying true to their private selves, the couple managed to escape the spotlight and surprised people in June with the announcement of their wedding.
Ask her when did this love story start, and she reveals, “It all started It during the promotion of our film Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019). That’s when we started talking. I wouldn’t call it dating, but yeah, that was a time when we started interacting with each other and became friends.”
She feels lucky that they managed to keep the affair a secret, adding, “I received so many messages that ‘We just don’t believe that’. We are very private individuals.” She admits that they couldn’t keep it a secret alone, and had some friends guarding this news. “I have a lot of respect for the few common friends (who knew) and respected our privacy. It meant a lot to us,” says the 32-year-old.
A month after their wedding, she hasn’t got much time to spend with husband due to work. “I wish we could spend more time together, but we have an entire lifetime to share it,” she muses.
Now, she’s enjoying her happy bubble with Dhar, doing simple things. “When we’re back home, we know this is our time. We use it to be with our family, have meals together or watch something nice. We’ve found happiness in this routine,” she says.
When it comes to her secret wedding infused with the essence of Himachali traditions, Gautam maintains that she wouldn’t have had it in any other way. “The wedding was exactly how we both wanted. It wasn’t planned. As they say, things happen when they are meant to happen. And they were just meant to happen while the pandemic goes on,” she tells us.
From wearing her mother’s sari, her nani’s dupatta to the traditional ‘pahadi nath’ and having her sister Surilie as her one-man army, her wedding was infused with a personal touch which she will cherish for life. “I wanted to feel the warmth of our traditions. Surilie was with me. If it was not for her, it would’ve been so difficult. In the evening, we used to review in the living room me trying mom’s dupatta and jewellery. My brother and father have captured all these moments,” she concludes.
Jacqueline Fernandez surprised me with gifts from local markets on my birthday-Yami Gautam
8:21 AM
Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; April 1, 2021)
Now, talking about the Kick actress, Yami says, “I am very fond of Jacqueline. She is such a positive person to be around with. Shooting in Himachal was so much fun, where I treated all of them to the pahadi dhaam, which is festive food.”
She further adds, “I have had some deep conversations with Jacqueline. We would talk about our standing as female actors in the industry, how things are evolving in Bollywood for actresses and how we all must respect the work we do. I had a great time working with her. I remember we were shooting on my birthday and Jacqueline managed to surprise me with presents that she scouted from local markets. I don’t know how she managed to do this amidst the hectic shooting schedule.”
The actress mentions that it is this positive energy on the sets that helps shape a project beautifully. “When the vibe on the set is good, work automatically becomes better for everyone. Everybody starts putting in more effort when the energy around you is good,” she signs off.
I have waited for these chances, says Yami Gautam as as she signs eight films
8:03 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; February 5, 2021)
With eight films in her kitty, actor Yami Gautam is on a roll. This year started for her with a bang as she recently wrapped up the shoot of her upcoming film, Bhoot Police. Next, she starts prep for Dasvi, a social drama, which will be shot in Agra (Uttar Pradesh) in mid-February, alongside Abhishek Bachchan.
“I am looking forward to playing a cop in this film, it will be fun to learn Haryanvi. Another film that I am excited about is, A Thursday, which is a sequel of A Wednesday (2008). It is one of the best scripts I have read in a long time. Apart from headlining this film, I am also the lead in director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury’s next, which is a take on crime journalism. I didn’t want to headline a movie just because it is female led. These are really good scripts and roles with some amazing directors,” says Gautam, adding that the other four films will be announced soon.
The actor admits that in nine years of her career, she has had phases where she would have just one film in hand. “People would say, why are you so choosy? One can be choosy only when you have many options. If you don’t, then you do one film at a time, like I did. But things changed after I did films like Kaabil (2017), Uri: The Surgical Strike and Bala (both 2019). These films changed people’s perspective about me, and things started rolling,” she says.
Gautam adds that she waited for these opportunities as she wanted to focus on strong subjects. “The idea was to select films and be a part of scripts which also help me portray and become a versatile actor. I want to be who I am as a person but on screen, I want to surprise myself and the audience and see what more can I explore. That’s what makes it fun,” she says.
A voice kept telling me, ‘you have come to Mumbai when you could have become an IAS officer in Chandigarh’-Yami Gautam
8:33 AM
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 14, 2020)
Right from the start, she has had her own style of functioning. And even now, when Yami Gautam has completed over eight years in Bollywood (she debuted with Vicky Donor; 2012), the actor doesn’t feel the need to alter the way she works, or the method with which she chooses her films.
“It’s simple: I don’t want to get restricted by any shackles wherein, I am like, ‘oh, from now on, I will do only certain kind of parts’. No. I haven’t changed one bit. I wouldn’t want to take any decision out of any kind of fear or over-thinking that I will do only a certain kind of work now,” she says, adding what’s of “paramount importance” for her is to “continue doing as much substantial work as possible, with good directors, and just keep working.”
In terms of genre, Gautam is open to a variety. “I would love to do everything — comedy, social drama, horror comedy or any intense part. I would also love to do a costume drama one day,” she says, adding: “Comedy is something I really enjoy but not many such roles are written for female actors. I would like to explore that, and be as versatile as possible.” The actor, who has just wrapped up a schedule of Bhoot Police in Himachal Pradesh, will also be seen in Ram Madhvani’s Dhamaka, along side Kartik Aaryan.
Now, Gautam readily admits that she has reached a point wherein she is “getting the kind of work I want to do”. But things weren’t all rosy throughout. “I remember, in between, when I couldn’t get some parts that I felt should have come my way for different reasons. It led me to question a lot of things. There are times when you feel disheartened and you’re like, ‘am I doing things correctly? Am I in the right field? What’s missing?’ There were times when there was no work,” says the Chandigarh girl.
She continues: “So, finally, you take up work that you know your heart doesn’t lie in. But you have to be seen also. Thankfully, I crossed that phase with my family’s support. And a voice kept telling me, ‘you have come to Mumbai when you could have become an IAS officer in Chandigarh (smiles)’. So, there must be a reason for that.”
I had landed in Mumbai for the first time, a night before Ganesh Chaturthi-Yami Gautam
8:39 AM
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 22, 2020)
What are your first memories of Ganeshotsav in Mumbai?
Not many know that in 2009, I’d landed in Mumbai for the first time, a night before Ganesh Chaturthi. I didn’t know that it’s an 11-day long festival in here. In north India, it’s for just one day. But my aunt explained things. And then she was like, ‘let’s all of us go to Lalbaugcha Raja’. Of course, I had no clue what it is. But when I went there, I remember experiencing so much positivity, and never-ending queues. It was an extremely mystical as well as overwhelming experience for me.
Has your connection with the festival become stronger over the last 11 years?
I’ve always had a religious/spiritual bent of mind. In fact, since my school days, I have had the habit of praying daily. Still, I’ve never had Ganpati at my [Mumbai] home, and it’s because I always wanted to do it with my entire family. But somehow, we all have never been together in the city on Ganpati. But if any of my friends has ever invited me to their house for Ganpati darshan, I’ve always paid a visit.
This year, the festive vibe will be marred due to Coronavirus…
Of course, it’s sad that everything is low-key. But I have a spiritual way of looking at things that it is God’s will. Maybe, Mother Nature is cleansing and healing herself. I look at the positives. For instance, as family, all of us [in my family] could never be together on Ganesh Chaturthi, but this year, we are. Yes, we won’t be able to go out but the great thing is that we’re with one another.
What’s the plan this year?
For starters, I’ll cook prasad in the morning. I told mum that we should make modaks this year, which is a totally Maharashtrian influence because for north Indians, besan laddoos were always associated with Ganesh Chaturthi. Then, there will be a simple pooja as we’ve never believed in doing elaborate rituals. It’s all really personal to us. More than anything else, your internal connection with God is the most important thing.
I am not flying home to Chandigarh for my family's safety-Yami Gautam
8:17 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; June 6, 2020)
Before the lockdown, Yami Gautam was looking forward to moving into a new home in Chandigarh with her family. She was also on the verge of announcing three new films. In a conversation with BT, she spoke about being alone in Mumbai during the lockdown and why she isn’t in a hurry to fly back home, though we are now in the Unlock 1.0 phase. Excerpts:
You were busy completing your films and all set to announce new projects, when the lockdown was implemented. Was it a setback for you?
I like to see everything positively. I would have loved to tell the world about the three films that I had signed. I was busy with last-minute meetings on these projects. Since I couldn’t wrap up my work in time, I wasn’t able to go home. In times like these, you have to be patient. The financial and creative structures will go through a change, and I hope for the better. There will be apprehension in the air for a while and the industry will take some time to get over this.
Was it challenging to adapt to a new lifestyle, where you had to stay indoors for a long time?
I’ve inherently been an introvert and liked being indoors. Yes, I loved taking long walks in the open, which has not happened in a while. I miss that and also having my family around me. Other than that, life did not change so much. During the lockdown, I cooked, painted, read books, watched a movie or a show, did yoga and meditation. Though I am alone in Mumbai, I don’t feel lonely. I have my house help here at home with me. She’s from Jharkhand and she, like me, could not travel back home. So, we’ve been keeping each other company.
During such tough times, has it been difficult to live without your family?
It’s important to acknowledge that being alone in a city can get to anyone. It’s natural to complain about the situation, but we must also look around us and see what’s happening. We saw so many people walking long distances to reach home, not knowing where their next meal would come from. A lot of us don’t have to go through this and should be grateful for it. Acceptance is the only way to get through this positively.
Now that flight operations have resumed, do you plan to fly to Chandigarh to be with your family?
Though I cannot wait to be back in Chandigarh, I have two reasons to stay back in Mumbai. Primarily, it’s for my family’s safety. Right now, you have to be excessively cautious while travelling. Also, I have to finish the dubbing for my film, Ginny Weds Sunny. Once, I finish that I could think of going back. As for my house help, she prefers to be here because there have been Coronavirus cases in her village and travelling home is not advisable at the moment.
We were to move into our new home just before the lockdown, now it’s on hold-Yami Gautam
8:05 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; May 6, 2020)
Yami Gautam is looking forward to the nationwide Coronavirus lockdown ending soon. The actress had made a painting of Goddess Durga, which would have adorned a wall of her new home in Chandigarh, had the lockdown not been implemented. Shortly before it was announced, Yami’s family was in the process of moving to their new address in the city.Yami says, “My parents were extremely worried, because I was here in Mumbai and the rest of the family was in Chandigarh. I kept promising my mother that I will get there as soon as I get done with work. However, by the time I wrapped up my work here, the lockdown had been implemented. Now, I will go home when the authorities declare that it’s safe to travel, so that I can be with my family when we move into our new house.”
Talking about the painting that she has created, Yami shares, “I am not an artist, and I don’t paint or sketch with a specific thought in mind. I use the canvas and colours as an outlet for my thoughts and imagination. I remember it was Navratri when I made this painting of Maa Durga, which is my version and imagination of her. My mother loved it and decided that she wanted to place it in our new house.”
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