Kiran Rao talks about balancing roles as a filmmaker, a star wife and a mum.
Why only on Women’s Day, being a woman is a celebration every day, says Kiran Rao, as the filmmaker talks about celebrating it today. Though Kiran feels that it’s more symbolic than anything else, she does admit to its importance. “I don’t think it’s a real tribute to women, but I do agree that through the day, women do tend to take a stock of issues. And if that helps bring about even one change, then I support it.
There’s definitely a value to the day then,” she says. Revealing that she herself has never had to face discrimination at any stage of her life, Kiran credits it largely to her parents and her family. “I was fortunate in that, because for me being respected as an individual without my gender being the focus was the only way I knew to be.
But it was, I believe, only because my parents brought me up that way, which is what makes all the difference. The discrimination, if any, should first end on the home front. When parents bring up their children — sons or daughters — as equal, the thought that it could be any other way just doesn’t occur,” shares Kiran. It was no different for her as a professional either, as she reveals that the industry is in fact a far safer place for women than it is given credit for.
“I have been in the film industry for the past 14-15 years now and I have never felt excluded on any opportunity on the basis of my sex.
I will not deny though that the perception has also changed over the years, and the acceptance of women is far greater today than it was say 20 years ago. But I don’t think that any woman here can say that her journey would have been any different had she been a man.
From the outside it may seem daunting for a woman to step into a male-dominated system, but once in you realise that they don’t care who’s calling the shots as long as one is capable of doing that,” she adds. Being a filmmaker, a star wife and a mum, is no mean task either, agrees Kiran. “I am no superwoman and everyday is a challenge for sure. But like every woman, I am learning to juggle it all.
And with each day I have more respect for women who do this, because they are traditionally expected to be home-makers, but here we are balancing it all out, and it’s about time that society give women their due.” The filmmaker adds that she feels fortunate to be blessed with a family that’s supportive on all fronts, and insists that the support from them is vital.
“Today I know, there are no limitations to my creativity, sure it’s been a struggle for me to wean myself off Azad to get my head back to work, but it’s thanks to my family that’s made it easier for me to do it. I don’t believe that you have to compromise on any of your roles to live out your dreams, and I hope women realise their strengths and do that. Today would be a good day to start,” she smiles.
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