‘Aamir And I Are Still Very Close’

‘After
being
married
for
almost
18
years,
and
since
there
was
never
any
rancour
between
us,
we
are
still
very
close,
as
parents
of
Azad,
as
colleagues
in
the
film
work
that
we
do,
and
as
friends.’

In
the
midst
of
her
Oscar
campaign
in
Los
Angeles,

Kiran
Rao
took
time
out
to
celebrate
her
51st
birthday
on
November
7.

She
discusses
her
special
sophomore
film,
and
also
the
unique
relationship
she
shares
with
its
producer
and
her
former
husband
Aamir
Khan
in
this
conversation
with

Subhash
K
Jha:
“We
still
consider
each
other
family
and
will
continue
to
do
so,
I’m
sure,
in
the
long
run.”

Aamir
and
you
are
still
seen
together
everywhere,
so
I
am
a
bit
confused
about
the
divorce.
Would
you
care
to
shed
some
light
on
this?

After
being
married
for
almost
18
years,
and
since
there
was
never
any
rancour
between
us,
we
are
still
very
close,
as
parents
of
Azad,
as
colleagues
in
the
film
work
that
we
do,
and
as
friends.

We
still
consider
each
other
family
and
will
continue
to
do
so,
I’m
sure,
in
the
long
run.

He’s
my
sounding
board,
and
I
am
his.
Our
bond
is
built
on
trust
and
shared
experiences.

Marriages
are
falling
apart
around
us.
Do
you
recommend
that
couples
should
live
in
before
marrying?

Human
relationships
are
complex,
and
I
believe
people
(consenting
adults)
should
have
the
freedom
to
explore
and
define
their
relationships
however
they
choose.

We
need
to
be
understanding
of
each
other’s
needs,
and
work
towards
replacing
moral
judgement
with
love
and
empathy.

You
turned
a
year
older
on
November
7.
How
did
you
celebrate
your
special
day?

Honestly,
I
don’t
think
I
could
have
asked
for
a
better
birthday.

I’m
currently
in
Los
Angeles
with
our
film,
meeting
some
incredible
talent
and
advocates
for

Laapataa
Ladies.
It’s
been
heartwarming
to
see
their
reactions
and
the
love
they
have
for
the
film.

A
group
of
friends
even
threw
me
a
surprise
party
here
in
LA,
which
was
so
sweet.

Right
after
that,
we
jumped
straight
back
into
work.

This
birthday
was
extra
special
as
your
film
has
reached
unexpected
heights.
Are
you
in
an
extra-happy
space
right
now?

I
couldn’t
be
happier.
This
film
has
truly
been
the
gift
that
keeps
on
giving.

When
we
made
it,
our
dream
was
simply
to
share
it
with
as
many
people
as
possible
and
spark
conversations
about
gender
parity,
equality
and
womanhood.

To
see
that
happen
on
a
global
scale
is
incredibly
special.

As
a
woman,
mother,
and
film-maker,
how
do
you
view
your
journey
so
far?

I
am
filled
with
gratitude.
Motherhood
has
given
me
a
deeper
emotional
understanding
of
my
work,
helping
me
tell
more
honest
and
empathetic
stories.

Being
a
woman
and
film-maker
in
an
industry
that
often
isn’t
designed
for
us
has
pushed
me
to
carve
out
my
own
space.

I’m
fortunate
to
have
had
a
wonderful
support
system
and
incredible
collaborators
along
the
way,
and
will
always
be
grateful
for
that.

Every
chapter
—
whether
as
a
film-maker
or
a
mother
—
has
shaped
the
other,
and
I’m
thankful
for
the
challenges
and
the
joys
that
have
come
with
them.

As
a
female
film-maker,
are
you
able
to
tell
the
stories
you
want
to,
exactly
the
way
you
envision
them?
Did
you
have
to
make
any
compromises
in

Laapataa
Ladies?

I
don’t
believe
any
film-maker
should
ever
have
to
compromise
on
the
story
they
set
out
to
tell.

I
don’t
think
I
could
have
found
better
collaborators
than
Aamir
Khan
Productions
and
Jio
Studios,
who
empowered
us
throughout
the
entire
process.

Aamir
was
the
one
who
discovered
the
story,
and
that
alone
speaks
volumes
about
the
kind
of
support
we
received.

If
you
had
the
chance
to
change
anything
in
your
life,
would
you?

I’ve
never
really
thought
about
it.

I’m
incredibly
happy
with
everything
life
has
offered
me.

The
journey
I’ve
been
through
has
brought
me
to
this
point,
and
I
wouldn’t
change
a
thing.

If
anything,
I
just
wish
there
were
more
than
24
hours
in
a
day,
so
I
could
do
even
more
of
what
life
has
to
offer.