Latest news with #ZiddiGirls
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Shonali Bose shares how she channelised the pain of losing her mum in Amu
Filmmaker Shonali Bose was just 21 when she lost her mother, Junie Dass, in 1986, a tragedy that profoundly shaped her life and artistic journey. This immense personal loss became a recurring undercurrent in her storytelling. 'Losing her at 21 was devastating and painful — it changed my life,' Shonali recalls, adding, 'I explored mother-daughter relationships and the theme of death across Amu (2005), Margarita with a Straw (2014), and The Sky is Pink (2019). With Amu specifically, we intentionally wrote a story around a mother daughter to tap into my pain and write from an honest place. I believe that if you can write from the depths of your pain - that can be powerful.' Also Read: Miranda House objects to Shonali Bose's 'Ziddi Girls', makers issue 'fiction' disclaimer In her debut film Amu, Shonali cast her maternal aunt Brinda Karat in a pivotal role. One emotionally charged scene required Brinda's character, Keya, to reveal Amu's (played by Konkona Sen Sharma) origin story — a moment that required Brinda to tap into the pain of losing her sister. 'Brinda had already delivered two brilliant takes' Shonali recounts, adding, 'But hours later, at around 2 a.m., when it was her cue again, she couldn't emote, she was just numb. No matter what I said she couldn't tear up. Then I got an idea. The scene was in an ambassador car and I was crouched under the seat. After calling action I did a sense memory exercise and talked Brinda through the memory of the last moments of my mother's (her sister) life before the plug was pulled in Breach Candy ICU. And she couldn't hold back the tears. When I called cut and came out of the car I saw that my sound recordist and designer Resul Pookutty was sobbing too — he had heard every word through his headphones.' A post shared by Shonali Bose (@shonalibose_) This deeply personal emotion extended into her later work as well. In Margarita with a Straw, Shonali recreated the raw emotion she had experienced in 1986. 'When Revathy's character dies in the hospital and Kalki's (Koechlin) character rushes out in her wheelchair, wailing — that was me, just as I did when my mamma died in 1986,' she shares, adding, 'For years Mother's Day was painful for me. And then I gave birth to Ishan and became a mamma myself. And would love the cards he would hand paint for me that I still have,' she shares. Shonali lost Ishan at just 16 years old in 2010. This life-altering loss found expression in her 2019 film The Sky is Pink. 'His death took me to another place… I felt a deep peace about death. In The Sky is Pink, the character played by Priyanka (Chopra Jonas; actor) wears a vibrant pink scarf to her daughter's funeral. Just as I had worn red. To celebrate. Not mourn. It marked the end of a marathon. A journey,' Shonali ends.
Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
After Ziddi Girls controversy, Miranda House is coming up with a filming policy
Delhi University's Miranda House is in the final stages of adopting a formal policy to regulate filming on its campus, The Indian Express has learnt. The move comes in the aftermath of the controversy linked to Ziddi Girls, an Amazon Prime series accused of portraying a fictional college, 'Matilda House', bearing an 'unmistakable resemblance' to Miranda House. With the proposed regulations, DU's prestigious women's college aims to ensure that future creative projects do not distort or damage its public image, said people in the know. Directed by Miranda House alumna Shonali Bose, the series sparked protests from students and alumni who said the similarities were too stark to ignore, including the short-form reference. The college had issued a legal notice to the show's makers in February, demanding the removal of the short-form reference, 'MH', and seeking a pre-release preview of the series by the administration and the students' union. A faculty-student committee then proposed a filming policy in April. 'Teachers and students have come up with a policy, and the college is looking into it,' Principal Bijayalaxmi Nanda told The Indian Express. The draft, which is yet to be finalised by a committee, 'reviewing the use of college space by outsiders', lays out a detailed approval process requiring filmmakers to submit a written request at least 15 days in advance. The proposal must include the script, project overview, and a clear explanation of how the college will be depicted. 'The college administration will review the script and decide whether the project aligns with the values and reputation of Miranda House,' the draft states. 'Any content that misrepresents the college or negatively impacts its image will not be approved.' Once approved, the production team must sign a formal contract. 'Filming must be done in a way that does not disturb classes, students, or faculty,' reads a clause. Any damage to college property must be compensated by the production team, it said. An administrative official involved in the drafting process emphasised that commercial gain has never been the motivation behind granting access. 'It is never a matter of money coming in for this college through the shooting of films and ad films. The college has always given permission only to a few very important projects, like those driven by its alumni. The effort through this policy is to make sure film shooting takes place vigilantly, under supervision, and without disturbing the academic spaces for students.' 'Before release, the college reserves the right to view the final footage to ensure it aligns with the agreed portrayal,' the guidelines note. If any changes are needed, the team will be required to make the necessary edits. 'The college name and logo must not be used in credits, promotions, or any form of branding unless explicitly approved.' The guidelines also focus on legal accountability. 'Any violation of this policy may result in legal action or a permanent ban on future filming requests. The contract will outline legal consequences in case of policy violations,' the document states. The college also insists on a complete preview of the final product: 'After completion of the shoot and before launching, it should be seen by the administration.' Perhaps most significantly, the policy prohibits filmmakers from deviating from the agreed script under the pretext of artistic freedom. 'The overview of the script provided to the college authorities should not contrast with the actual story to be streamlined. The use of 'creative license' as an excuse for the same will not be entertained,' it reads. Once adopted, the policy is expected to set a precedent for other academic institutions too. Earlier, in a statement before the release of the series, the Miranda House Students' Union said: 'MHSU expresses its deep outrage and profound condemnation over the recent release of the 'Ziddi Girls' trailer on Amazon Prime. The circulating trailer contains content that raises serious objections, particularly regarding the dignity of our esteemed institution. It tarnishes, defames, and demeans the 77-year-old legacy of Miranda House, a college renowned for its commitment to women's education and emancipation.'
