I shook Anand Gandhi's hands for 5 mins: Kiran Rao

Kiran Rao on life as a presenter, mother and wife. Not strictly in that order

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 22, 2013)

How has motherhood changed you- as a person and as a professional?
Motherhood changes you even before you realise it. It fulfilled me completely, it enriched my life. I must say, I have become a much more patient person after Azad was born. As far as work is concerned, earlier I could work any day, any time, and the fact that Aamir is in the same profession, helped a lot. He has always been a very understanding husband. But motherhood has not changed the way I look at films. I was always a very opinionated woman, who has a perception of the world through a personal filter. Those filters haven't changed. My aesthetics for films are still the same.

Being an indulgent mother making a comeback, how do you balance your work and career now?
I try and conduct most of my meetings with producers, directors and distributors at my Bandra residence after Azad goes to sleep in the afternoons. So far so good. By the time my work intensifies, Azad would also have grown up.

Your comeback not as a director but presenter is surprising. What made you take this decision?
It all began at Russian Cultural Center at Pedder Road when I saw the film Ship of the Theseus. I waited to meet the director of the film, Anand Gandhi. I shook his hand for nearly five minutes. I was completely bowled over by the film. It's the story of a blind photographer. I didn't know that blind men could shoot pictures. It will be a path-breaking film. During the conversation, Anand said 'Why don't you come on board and help us to get a distributor?'I convinced Ronnie Screwvala and his wife Zarina to see the film. They loved it and said they would love to present the film with me. You see, art house cinema has a niche audience. But India is no more stuck on masala films. Today, we have a diverse audience, which wants art house cinema as well. And these films need exhibition platforms.

Did the fact that you are Aamir's wife and a wellread and well-connected individual influence your decision to become a presenter?
Yes. And more people like me should come forward. The time has come to create opportunities for the younger lot that is giving its sweat for fresher, innovative filmmaking. Opportunities don't simply happen, they have to be created.

Think of it, very few women filmmakers have managed to crack the formula of courting boxoffice success while appeasing the critics.
(Interrupts) Even men have not been able to crack this formula. I wouldn't say women have been rigid, but they think differently, which may or may not translate on celluloid. Moreover, there aren't that many women filmmakers. Hence you can establish their success ratio within their fold. Most filmmakers are men, hence you can't establish their success ratio. But if you get down to numbers, their ratio of success will be the same as that of women filmmakers.

http://fenilandbollywood.com/2013/05/22/i-shook-anand-gandhis-hands-for-nearly-five-minutes-kiran-rao/