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Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘The world wants to see how India lives, moves & dances' Guneet Monga
1 2 When The Elephant Whisperers made history at the Oscars 2023, it wasn't just a proud moment for Guneet Monga — it was a milestone for Indian storytelling. Sharing the spotlight with Naatu Naatu's big win that same night, Guneet remembers being awed by the impact of Telugu cinema on the global stage. In a chat with Hyderabad Times, the producer, who was in town for the 'Golden Lens' symposium hosted by YFLO, opened up about her journey, the growing resonance of local stories, and her admiration for Tollywood. 'I'm a big fan and would love to produce a Telugu film someday, if the stars align,' she said. 'I'm always thinking about how I can add value to a project, and if there's a meaningful way to contribute, I'd be more than happy to be involved. ' 'RRR is one of the best examples of how local stories resonate globally' For Guneet, the success of Indian films on the world stage boils down to authenticity. 'RRR is one of the best examples of how a deeply local story can have global resonance. Whether it's Baahubali or RRR, our culture, language, and music captivate audiences around the world.' It's not just the big, grand spectacles that travel well. Films like The Lunchbox, Masaan, and The Elephant Whisperers also struck a chord globally because they're rooted, real, and unmistakably Indian, she reckons. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa Prices in Dubai Might Be Lower Than You Think! Villa for sale in Dubai | Search Ads Learn More Undo 'These are the stories the world wants. People may not travel here, but they're deeply curious about India, our culture, our people, and even our dances. ' 'My memories of Hyderabad are all about great food and vibrant places' Guneet finds something enchanting about Hyderabad every time she visits. 'My memories of Hyderabad are all about great food and vibrant places. And what really fascinates me is the number of lehenga stores! I always find myself looking at those big wedding wear storefronts, they're everywhere.' There's one Hyderabad staple she's looking to discover more of though. 'A really good biryani! I don't have a go-to spot yet, but I'd love to try one. ' 'Many films have left an impact on me' Whether it's the timeless charm of Bollywood or the quiet brilliance of international indies, Guneet draws inspiration from across the spectrum. 'My first memory of cinema was watching Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. I was completely obsessed with the love story and the romance,' she recalls, adding, 'And then I remember watching Boyhood on a flight, it completely blew my mind. I couldn't stop thinking about how someone could film for so many years (the film was shot across 12 years from 2002–2013) and piece it together. That kind of ambitious storytelling inspires me.' 'Portrayal of women is something I deeply care about' Known for championing strong women-centric narratives, Guneet believes the strength of a woman's portrayal lies in thoughtful writing, not just lead roles. 'One of the films I'm proud to have produced is Soorarai Pottru. Though it was Suriya sir's film, Aparna Balamurali's character sparked meaningful conversation,' she says, adding, 'In The Elephant Whisperers, Bellie stood out so beautifully, just like Huma Qureshi did in Gangs of Wasseypur.' For her, what matters most is depth. 'Even submissive characters must have redemption. The portrayal of women is something I deeply care about as a producer.' 'I fall in love with scripts that move or challenge me' Reflecting on her journey post-Oscar, Guneet said the recognition has opened doors and pushed her to dream bigger. 'It expanded what's possible for me as a filmmaker,' she said. But for her, it's never about chasing a trend. 'I fall in love with scripts that move or challenge me,' she added. Among the stories she's hoping to bring to the screen someday is a full-fledged female-led action film. 'I think we're ready for that, and I'd love to be part of making it happen. ' 'We're building a space for women in cinema to connect, be heard & create change' At the 'Golden Lens' symposium hosted by YFLO, Guneet struck a chord with an audience of over 200 with a nearly two-hour-long conversation as candidly she spoke about the highs and heartbreaks of her journey. 'Life gave me 10 'Nos' before a single 'Yes', but I chose to celebrate every 'No.' Because each one took me a step closer,' she said, drawing applause. She also spoke passionately about the Women in Film – India Chapter, part of the global WIF network. 'Less than 10% of Indian film directors are women. That reality deeply concerns me,' she said, adding, 'Through this chapter, we want to build a space where women in cinema can connect, be heard, and create lasting change.' -Shreya Varanasi
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Didn't see my brother for weeks': Soha Ali Khan recalls how Saif once rejected mother Sharmila's affection; expert on nurturing parent-child bond
Striking a balance between work and parenting is a constant struggle for many mothers, and that challenge is no less real for women in the entertainment industry. Actor Soha Ali Khan recently spoke about her mother Sharmila Tagore's efforts to juggle a full-time acting career while raising children, and how it sometimes left an emotional impact on her elder brother, Saif Ali Khan. 'Sometimes, my mother didn't see my brother for weeks. And then, she would rush home to do bedtime with him, and he would be like, 'I don't need you. I don't want you right now' because he was also upset. So he is fine with the didi and then you are like, 'What did I rush home for?' And then you are so stressed about that time that you end up being short with your children, so it's a lot,' Soha told The Hollywood Reporter India. Reflecting on those early years, at the Mother's Day event for YFLO, Sharmila herself had once said, 'I was working two shifts a day and for the first six years of his life, I was really absent. I don't think I was a full-time mom. My husband was there, but I wasn't.' Soha, as a mother herself, spoke about how being away from her daughter, Inaya, affects her. 'Wherever I am in the world, when it's 7 o'clock, I start to get very antsy. That's my ritual with her, bedtime. So even when I was on set, I burst into tears once because we were in Rajasthan and we were shooting in Mandava and it was bedtime and I had not seen her all day, but that was one day,' she said. Counselling psychologist Athul Raj tells 'In early childhood, a child's sense of safety comes from presence, not perfection or big gestures, but the quiet comfort of knowing someone is there. When a parent is absent for a long time, even with good reason, the child doesn't understand; they just feel the void.' He adds that children protest through withdrawal when they've been longing too long. They push away not because they don't care, but because caring has started to hurt. Children seek emotional reliability. When it's missing, they may internalise the absence, making closeness feel unsafe. Still, all is not lost. 'What matters is what happens when the parent returns. If that moment is met with softness and a willingness to acknowledge the child's hurt, it becomes an opportunity for repair. You don't have to explain away your absence — just show you see its impact,' he states. The guilt working parents carry is often quiet but heavy. This doesn't mean you've failed. It means you care deeply. 'The trouble begins when guilt turns into shame. When parents start believing that, they either burn themselves out trying to make up for it or emotionally check out to avoid feeling the ache. Both create more distance, not less,' stresses Raj. He adds that what helps is naming the feeling instead of fighting it. Repair matters more than presence alone. And remember, how you relate to yourself teaches your child how to relate to themselves. If you meet your imperfections with harshness, they may grow up believing love is conditional. But if they see you making room for both ambition and tenderness, they learn love can stretch and hold both.
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Upset Saif Ali Khan refused to meet mom Sharmila Tagore, said he didn't need her and preferred nanny: Soha Ali Khan recalls
Sharmila Tagore has always been championed as the rare female actor of her generation who managed to do it all. Unlike many of her contemporaries, who quit working in the movies after they got married and had children, Sharmila appeared in some of her finest films after she had her son Saif Ali Khan in 1970. While her family members have always applauded her in public, the journey was far from easy for Sharmila, and in a recent interview, her daughter Soha Ali Khan discussed the same. In a chat with The Hollywood Reporter India, Soha was talking about work-life balance for mothers who are working in the entertainment industry, and she shared an anecdote from her mother's life. She shared that when Saif was little, and Sharmila was working full-time, she sometimes wouldn't get a chance to see him for weeks at a stretch. On other occasions, Saif would get upset. 'Sometimes, my mother didn't see my brother for weeks. And then, she would rush home to do bedtime with him and he would be like, 'I don't need you. I don't want you right now' because he was also upset. So he is fine with the didi and then you are like, 'What did I rush home for?' And then you are so stressed about that time that you end up being short with your children, so it's a lot,' she shared. ALSO READ | Pyaasa: Guru Dutt made the original 'broke man propaganda' movie, but it was also a cry for help that nobody answered Previously, Sharmila spoke at a Mother's Day event for YFLO, and said, 'I was working two shifts a day and for the first six years of his life, I was really absent.' She added, 'I don't think I was a full-time mom. My husband was there, but I wasn't.' Soha shared that she has a lot of sympathy for mothers and added, 'I am very sympathetic to mothers, new mothers, trying to find their feet, what they need. I think raising a child is an incredibly challenging, incredibly rewarding thing to do.' Talking about her own experience with motherhood, Soha shared that she once started crying on set because she hadn't seen her daughter all day. 'Wherever I am in the world, when it's 7 o'clock, I start to get very antsy. That's my ritual with her, bedtime. So even when I was on set, I burst into tears once because we were in Rajasthan and we were shooting in Mandava and it was bedtime and I had not seen her all day but that was one day,' she said. Soha's daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu is 7-years-old.
