Mumbai:
Kiran Rao went to school in Kolkata, studied Mass Communication in Delhi's Jamila Millia Islamia and then adopted Mumbai as her home and place of work. She says her first film as a director, Dhobi Ghat, is her personal tribute to the city of her dreams.
"Actually, I wanted to make something on Mumbai. It's about the city and how it makes its way into people's lives. It's a personal tribute to my city," Kiran, wife of actor Aamir Khan, said in an interview.
"It's a story of Mumbai that might have remained untold to you. It's as real and authentic as I could make it. Films on Mumbai have always dealt with any one aspect of it at a time. I have tried to show all the facets of the city," she added.
On her debut away from the mainstream of Bollywood, she said: "When I started to write the film, I didn't think of the genre or what type of film it will be. I had an idea of story of four people from very different classes and worlds. I didn't plan to write particularly this story. The idea in due course developed into this film. But the city of Mumbai has always been the constant inspiration behind this film."
Dhobi Ghat is the story of four individuals from varying backgrounds who's lives coincide and intersect in the vast melting pot that is Mumbai. It stars Aamir, who also serves as producer, as a reclusive artist. Prateik Babbar, in his first major role, plays washer boy Munna while the female leads are relatively unknown - singer Monica Dogra plays Indian-American banker Shai, and MTV Roadies alumnus Kriti Malhotra plays the married Yasmin.
First time director Kiran resisted the idea of casting her husband in her film but she couldn't think of anyone better once he'd auditioned for the role.
"I wanted all my characters to be non-actors to make the film more authentic. I was planning not to cast Aamir because he is such a big star and I had to shoot in some of the busiest streets of Mumbai. But when he was auditioned, I couldn't think of anyone beyond him for the character," said Kiran.
When asked who she identifies with most of the four characters in the film, Kiran said, "I have shared my experience with all the characters, but if you ask me whom I identify the most, it's the character of Yasmin. She is the one who comes to Mumbai and experiences the city from a small town perspective."
Aamir pulled some producing clout to get Argentine composer Gustavo Santaolalla on board the project. Santaolalla scored music for Brokeback Mountain, Babel and The Motorcycle Diaries and has won Oscars, Golden Globes, BAFTAS and Grammies.
Kiran, a fan of Santaolalla's work, said: "Aamir asked me whose name firist came to my mind for giving the music to the film. I promptly said Gustavo. He said he would try getting him to give music in the film. He arranged Gustavo's number. We spoke to him. He said he wanted to see the film and if he liked it, he will surely associate with the film. He was shown the film. He came down to India, met Indian classical musicians and composed the music for the film".
Dhobi Ghat comes to a theatre near you on January 21.
"Actually, I wanted to make something on Mumbai. It's about the city and how it makes its way into people's lives. It's a personal tribute to my city," Kiran, wife of actor Aamir Khan, said in an interview.
"It's a story of Mumbai that might have remained untold to you. It's as real and authentic as I could make it. Films on Mumbai have always dealt with any one aspect of it at a time. I have tried to show all the facets of the city," she added.
On her debut away from the mainstream of Bollywood, she said: "When I started to write the film, I didn't think of the genre or what type of film it will be. I had an idea of story of four people from very different classes and worlds. I didn't plan to write particularly this story. The idea in due course developed into this film. But the city of Mumbai has always been the constant inspiration behind this film."
Dhobi Ghat is the story of four individuals from varying backgrounds who's lives coincide and intersect in the vast melting pot that is Mumbai. It stars Aamir, who also serves as producer, as a reclusive artist. Prateik Babbar, in his first major role, plays washer boy Munna while the female leads are relatively unknown - singer Monica Dogra plays Indian-American banker Shai, and MTV Roadies alumnus Kriti Malhotra plays the married Yasmin.
First time director Kiran resisted the idea of casting her husband in her film but she couldn't think of anyone better once he'd auditioned for the role.
"I wanted all my characters to be non-actors to make the film more authentic. I was planning not to cast Aamir because he is such a big star and I had to shoot in some of the busiest streets of Mumbai. But when he was auditioned, I couldn't think of anyone beyond him for the character," said Kiran.
When asked who she identifies with most of the four characters in the film, Kiran said, "I have shared my experience with all the characters, but if you ask me whom I identify the most, it's the character of Yasmin. She is the one who comes to Mumbai and experiences the city from a small town perspective."
Aamir pulled some producing clout to get Argentine composer Gustavo Santaolalla on board the project. Santaolalla scored music for Brokeback Mountain, Babel and The Motorcycle Diaries and has won Oscars, Golden Globes, BAFTAS and Grammies.
Kiran, a fan of Santaolalla's work, said: "Aamir asked me whose name firist came to my mind for giving the music to the film. I promptly said Gustavo. He said he would try getting him to give music in the film. He arranged Gustavo's number. We spoke to him. He said he wanted to see the film and if he liked it, he will surely associate with the film. He was shown the film. He came down to India, met Indian classical musicians and composed the music for the film".
Dhobi Ghat comes to a theatre near you on January 21.
