Kirron Kher on films, stereotypes and more

Just as she’s played an over-the top yet doting Punjabi mom in Dostana, she’s won hearts as the steely Afghani Muslim conspirator in Kurbaan. And actress Kirron Kher is glad with the variety of roles she’s got to play in a career spanning over 16 years. “When I’m shooting, it’s one film at a time but when I look back, I wonder at the variety. But my heart still belongs to films like Bariwali, Khamosh Paani and Sardari Begum,” the actor states.

Her last release, Mummy Punjabi, saw her play a robust, whole-hearted mother. “She’s in sync with the times and likes addressing herself ‘Superman ki ma’. She’s got little knowledge of English but insists on using all the wrong words,” Kirron informs, adding, “Her ideology is pretty weird — while sons should be controlled, daughters should be granted all the freedom.” Ask her how close she is to this on screen character and she says, “She loves chatting and making friends on the Internet, goes pubbing, insists she has a say in everything her son does — I’m none of these. But yes, her human moments are universal.”

Most often, Kirron has been seen playing the quintessential Punjabi mom and she’s not happy with the stereotype. “There’s so much more I can offer than just a khate peete Punjabi mom. I’m tired of being tagged so but then, Punjabi families are the most common backgrounds for most Hindi films. Also, the NRI market can’t be overlooked when it comes to economics and that’s what they enjoy the most,” she explains.

Kirron is looking forward to working in a black comedy some day and says her role in any film is mainly the deciding factor. “Of course, who’s making the film can’t be overlooked, just as the co-artists need to be good actors — after all, off screen comfort reflects on screen,” she says. While she continues her stint as a reality show judge on television for the third season, she does rue the fact that with the family in the same profession, there’s little time together. “Whenever the three of us are at home at the same time, which rarely happens, we hardly talk films,” she signs off.