Entertainment
Kirti Kulhari: Strong PR Turned ‘Pink’ into a Taapsee Pannu Film
In an interview with Fever FM, Kirti reflected on how the hierarchy among actors impacted her during the making of ‘Pink’. She stated, “When ‘Pink’ came along, I didn’t think about who was considered ‘big’ or ‘small’ in the industry. To me, it was simply a story about three women. I believed that we were all actors working together. However, during the film’s promotions, I felt the effects of the ‘big star-small star’ dynamic. The people around you can make you feel that way.”
Kirti recalled how Taapsee was given significant star treatment, second only to Amitabh Bachchan, noting her realization came when she saw the film’s trailer, leading to a difficult moment for her. She expressed, “When I saw that the trailer primarily showcased Taapsee and Mr. Bachchan, it struck me hard because I knew the contribution I made to the film. Shoojit urged me not to worry and to wait for the film’s release. I typically shy away from PR, believing my work will speak for itself. Yet during the promotions, the focus shifted significantly to Taapsee, as she was positioned just after Mr. Bachchan in hierarchy. It became clear that the film was being framed as hers, which was disheartening for me.”
Although Kirti received nominations for Best Supporting Actress for her role, she chose not to attend those events, feeling that her contribution went beyond that of a supporting actress. When asked if this had an impact on her relationship with Taapsee, she acknowledged that it did affect their dynamic but emphasized, “I don’t think Taapsee was aware of this. She has always been kind to me, but I did take the whole PR situation a bit personally.”
Following ‘Pink,’ Kirti made a conscious effort to assert her position in future projects. “I was very clear with ‘Mission Mangal’—I told them that apart from Vidya, if I wasn’t given equal billing with the other actresses, I wouldn’t take the role.” She added, “I learned how the positioning game works through experience.”
Reflecting on the issue of hierarchy, Kirti became emotional discussing the unconscious conditioning that comes with it. “We’ve all inadvertently learned to navigate our interactions based on status and what individuals can do for us. Our behavior shifts depending on who we are dealing with.”
Reports suggest that Deepika Padukone was dropped from ‘Spirit’ due to “unprofessional demands” and disagreements over compensation. A source informed Bollywood Hungama that Sandeep Reddy Vanga was surprised when Deepika refused to commit to shooting more than 6 hours a day. Additionally, her agency reportedly sought an amendment to the contract stipulating that if shooting exceeded 100 days, she would require extra payment for each additional day.
Following these developments, the production team is now seeking a replacement, which may delay the film’s production plans.
Previously, Sandeep Reddy Vanga shared insights about ‘Spirit’ during the pre-release event of the Telugu film ‘Pottel.’ When asked to reveal an intriguing detail about the Prabhas-led project, he wrote ‘Police Story’ on a chalkboard.
Moreover, there have been reports that South Korean actor Ma Dong-Seok, known for his roles in ‘Train to Busan’ and Marvel’s ‘Eternals,’ may join the cast as an antagonist, potentially making ‘Spirit’ a Pan-Asian production. The film is also expected to feature Korean stunt choreographers, promising intense action sequences.
Produced by T-Series and directed by Sandeep Vanga, ‘Spirit’ is set for a multilingual release, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. Fans are eager for the filmmaker to reveal the full cast details soon.
The short film opens with Turner lounging under an umbrella in the South of France, where she gets distracted by a flurry of text messages on her phone, according to ‘People’ magazine.
“On my way. Can’t wait to see you,” reads one message, punctuated by a red heart. With a smile, Turner announces, “He’s on his way,” as she adjusts her sunglasses. “Don’t worry, I’m fully prepared,” she reassures the audience.
As noted by ‘People’, the video transitions to Turner in a kitchen, playfully tossing a lime in the air and catching it. However, she quickly clarifies, “Oh, you didn’t think I was going to cook, did you?” before opting to call for delivery instead, requesting “something fresh and fast.”
Next, she opens a bottle from the liquor brand and pours it into a glass. After perfectly arranging takeout on plates, she turns to the camera and requests, “Let’s keep this between us,” just before the doorbell rings. “Showtime!” she adds.
Turner, who showcases her cocktail-making skills in a how-to video, shared her excitement about partnering with the brand: “I’m thrilled to continue my collaboration with a brand that reflects my philosophy of enjoying the lighter side of life and makes me look good behind the bar.”
She added, “I’m excited to show off my bartending skills in this summer’s sequel. While I may not be a chef, I’ve discovered my signature drink!”
Last year, Turner also starred in another short film for the brand, set in the picturesque South of France.
Suniel revealed that although offers continued to come in after her last project, *Motichoor Chaknachoor*, Athiya made a definitive decision to leave acting behind. “She simply said, ‘Baba, I don’t want to,’ and walked away. I truly admire her for that,” he shared. “She expressed that she was content with her current situation and had no interest in continuing.”
Now 32, Athiya has found joy in motherhood, a role she cherishes. Suniel expressed pride, stating, “She’s playing the best role of her life right now—being a mom. It’s the greatest experience she could embark on, and she’s embracing every moment.”
For those who have followed her journey, Athiya made her film debut in 2015 with *Hero*, produced by Salman Khan. While the film garnered attention, she kept a relatively low profile. She returned to the screen in 2017 with the comedy *Mubarakan*, and concluded her film career (for now) with *Motichoor Chaknachoor* in 2019, alongside Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
Since leaving the limelight, Athiya has gained attention for her personal life rather than her career. In January 2023, she married Indian cricketer KL Rahul in a private yet celebrated ceremony. This year, they welcomed their daughter, Evaarah, on March 24. Recently, KL Rahul melted hearts on Instagram with an adorable photo of himself and Athiya enjoying time with their newborn, sharing the special meaning behind his daughter’s name: “Our baby girl, our everything. Evaarah/इवारा ~ Gift of God.”
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