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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Why Vikram Seth writes in English, and who is his ideal reader
On Vikram Seth's birthday (June 20), readers across the world remember the poet and novelist whose singular voice defies easy classification. Born in Calcutta in 1952, Seth's literary journey traverses continents and genres, but at the heart of his work remains a solemn commitment to the Indian experience. In a telling anecdote from the India International Centre Quarterly (Spring 1997), a French journalist once pressed Seth on his decision to write in English, suggesting it might create an 'unavoidable' distance between author and Indian reader. In response, Seth, whose magnum opus A Suitable Boy had just been translated into French, said: 'English is the language I know best… Hindi is my mother tongue; I learned Urdu; my father speaks Punjabi and Hindi; my mother… speaks Bengali… but I do not speak Bengali. English is the language I know best.' A response that lays bare the layered complexities of identity in postcolonial India. Seth further clarified that his ideal reader was not the metropolitan critic but 'a sixty-year-old Indian, living in a small town in Uttar Pradesh or Bihar… He is more important to me than any critic or foreign reader.' Whether or not that remains the case today, Seth's work endures as a bridge between languages and generations. However, Seth was clear about his desire to see A Suitable Boy, (which at around 1,500 is a rather dense tomb) is translated into Hindi. He added that it was in Hindi that the novel would 'look like its original version.' Few writers move between forms with as much alacrity as Vikram Seth. He has composed novels in verse, travelogues in prose, and rhyming retellings of animal fables. His recent work, the English translation of The Hanuman Chalisa, he returns to his forte – rhyme. In the slim 100-page volume, Seth succeeds in recreating the incantatory quality of Tulsidas's original. On this occasion, we revisit three of Seth's most enduring contributions: No list of Vikram Seth's works is complete without A Suitable Boy, his magnum opus. At over 1,300 pages, this sprawling novel is set in post-independence India and weaves together the lives of four families against a backdrop of political and social change. At its heart is Lata Mehra's journey to find 'a suitable boy,' a quest that explores love, tradition, and personal freedom. With its rich characterizations and vivid storytelling, this book remains a timeless classic. Before A Suitable Boy, Seth made a mark for himself with The Golden Gate, a novel written entirely in verse. Inspired by Pushkin's Eugene Onegin, this modern tale follows a group of young professionals in 1980s San Francisco as they navigate love, friendship, and existential dilemmas. The book proves Seth's mastery of form and language. Seth's Beastly Tales is a collection of fables in verse. Featuring animals from India, China, Greece, Ukraine, and his own imagination, these tales are satirical, and often carry moral lessons. Perfect for both children and adults, this book is a must-read.
Indian Express
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Aamir Khan defends son Junaid Khan's Maharaj and Loveyapa performances, says he refuses his help: ‘His career matters to me more than mine'
Actor Aamir Khan made his debut in the 1988 film Qayamat se Qayamat Tak, and after a multi-decade career filled with blockbusters and era-defining films, his son Junaid Khan decided to follow in his father's footsteps. Junaid has featured in two films as of yet, Maharaj (2024) and Loveyapa (2025), and much to his dismay, the actor hasn't had the best start in Bollywood. Both films received a lot of backlash for their narratives and also the lack of one, while Junaid faced a lot of heat. In a recent interview, Aamir defended his son and praised his skill as an actor, pointing out that he has the ability to completely transform himself for a particular role. While talking to News18, the actor stated that he was proud of his son's performances and said, 'I think he's a pretty good actor. I'm really proud of the fact that he's done his job really well in both films.' He shifted his attention to Junaid's debut role as Karsandas Mulji in Maharaj and stated that his son was able to completely mould himself into the character. 'That sincerity and innocence he brought to the role was really beautiful,' added Aamir. ALSO READ: How Aamir Khan was troubled by son Junaid's condition: Why dyslexia is a learning challenge and is misunderstood Aware of the nepotism debate that is prevalent in the industry, Aamir pointed out that he has never helped his son land a role and added that Junaid himself refuses to ask for any assistance regarding his career. He said, 'He's used none of my help ever. He still doesn't have a car as we speak. He wants to make his own career.' The actor added that after completing an acting course, Junaid went door to door, looking for a gig, and that he auditioned for many films, including Mira Nair's A Suitable Boy. Aamir admitted that he is protective of his son and wants to help him because 'his career matters to me more than mine,' but that Junaid refuses any kind of help. Junaid will be next seen in the film Ek Din, alongside Sai Pallavi, which Aamir deems to be a role that is completely different from anything he has done before. He said, 'He's done three totally different films. One is Maharaj, a risk in himself. Then there's the Gucci-wearing harami character, who is so far from who he is. And now this love story. He's stepping out of his comfort zone from the start, which I hadn't done in my early career.' Aamir added that even though success has not 'hit' his son yet, Junaid isn't one to quit and will keep fighting until he makes it. On the other hand, Aamir is gearing up for the release of Sitaare Zameen Par, which is a sequel to his 2007 film Taare Zameen Par, a film that gained Aamir an immense amount of love and respect.
News18
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Aamir Khan Defends Son Junaid's Performance In Maharaj, Loveyapa: 'He Is A Good Actor'
Last Updated: Aamir Khan also talked about what he believes is Junaid's most special quality. Read on. Aamir Khan's son Junaid Khan made his acting debut in 2024 with the movie Maharaj. He also featured in Loveyapa earlier this year. In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Aamir spoke about his son's journey in films. The Bollywood superstar mentioned that he is 'proud" of his son's performance and appreciated Junaid's way of making a space for himself in the film industry. Talking about Junaid's performances, Aamir Khan told us, 'I think he's a pretty good actor. I'm really proud of the fact that he's done his job really well in both films." Speaking about Maharaj, Aamir added, 'When I saw Maharaj, I felt I was watching Karsan. That sincerity and innocence he brought to the role was really beautiful." 'His second film, he plays a very Harami character. That's not his personality at all, but even that he pulled off really well," the actor continued. The proud father revealed that Junaid had also tested for Laal Singh Chaddha, saying, 'It was a beautiful test. Bang on. He was Laal Singh." Aamir further talked about what he believes is Junaid's most special quality and shared, 'He has a very rare ability – he becomes the character. That goes beyond skill. He makes you believe he's that person." Despite being the son of one of India's biggest film stars, Junaid has consciously stayed away from leveraging his father's influence. Aamir shared, 'He's used none of my help ever. He still doesn't have a car as we speak. He wants to make his own career." Sharing a glimpse into Junaid's early days, Aamir revealed, 'He did an acting course and came back. Then he was visiting studios and casting directors, auditioning without anyone knowing who he was. His photo wasn't out anywhere. He auditioned for Mira Nair's A Suitable Boy and other projects. The first film he got through auditions was Maharaj." While Junaid has shown impressive acting chops, Aamir acknowledged his faults honestly, saying, 'He doesn't know how to give interviews. He's too sincere, sometimes says the wrong thing, and people misunderstand him. He's not your regular Hindi film hero. He can't dance to save his life!" Despite that, Aamir sees many similarities between himself and Junaid. 'Off-screen, he's very much like me – the way he works, the way his mind functions. On-screen, though, he's totally different." Junaid's third film, Ek Din, a love story co-starring Sai Pallavi, is already complete. Talking about the same, Aamir stated, 'He's done three totally different films. One is Maharaj, a risk in itself. Then the Gucci-wearing Harami character, which is so far from who he is. And now this love story. He's stepping out of his comfort zone from the start, which I hadn't done in my early career." Aamir admitted he feels protective as a father. 'I'm extremely protective of him, but he doesn't allow me to interfere. I would've never imagined that someone else's success or failure would matter more to me than my own. But with Junaid, it does." Praising his work ethic and integrity, Aamir added, 'He really throws himself into his work. He's someone with a very high degree of integrity. He has some great qualities." Looking ahead, Aamir remains hopeful and confident: 'Success has not reached him yet the way he deserves, but that's part of life. I have full confidence in him. He's a fighter and someone who won't give up." Meanwhile, Aamir Khan is currently busy promoting his upcoming film, Sitaare Zameen Par. First Published: June 10, 2025, 13:25 IST
Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Ishaan Khatter recalls getting fame for simply being Shahid Kapoor's brother: ‘I never tried to shine in his light'
Bollywood actor Shahid Kapoor began his journey as a background dancer and later rose to fame with his film Ishq Vishk. The actor had established himself as a star by the time his brother Ishaan Khatter entered the industry. Now, in an interview with Zoom, Ishaan opened up about being recognised as Shahid's brother. (Also Read: Ishaan Khatter calls Tabu 'naughty', says intimate scenes with her happened seamlessly in A Suitable Boy) He recalled being photographed for the first time during Shahid's wedding to Mira Rajput and said, "When my brother got married was the first time that there was media and paparazzi. That whole thing had started to blow up, along with social media. I was photographed, and after that, I was spotted and recognised at a few places. At least in my case, it wasn't by design. But obviously, you're known as someone's brother." He further explained that although Shahid's parents, Pankaj Kapur and Neelima Azeem, were working professionals and actors, neither of them were stars. However, he had an elder brother who was a star. He added that he is proud of Shahid and said, "I had an elder brother whose act to follow would be… like he's a movie star! But I never tried to shine in his light because everyone wants to be known for their own personality, right? If people photograph me and know me because I'm his brother, that's obvious, because I haven't done anything they know me for. So my focus was just to work. I have to tread my own path and make my own life. I'm totally fine with it being slow and steady. I'm in no rush to show people, 'This is who I am.' I'd much rather show it with my work." For the uninitiated, Ishaan and Shahid are half-brothers. Neelima Azeem married actor Pankaj Kapur in 1979 and welcomed their son, Shahid Kapoor, in 1981. However, their marriage did not last long, and they parted ways. In 1988, Pankaj married Supriya Pathak, and in 1990, Neelima married Rajesh Khattar. She welcomed her son, Ishaan, in 1995. Shahid was last seen in the film Deva, which failed to perform well at the box office. He will next be seen in Vishal Bhardwaj's action thriller Arjun Ustara, which also stars Triptii Dimri, Nana Patekar and Randeep Hooda in key roles. The release date of the film is yet to be announced. Ishaan, on the other hand, has the premiere of his film Homebound at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Helmed by Neeraj Ghaywan and backed by Karan Johar, the film also stars Janhvi Kapoor and Vishal Jethwa. It received a nine-minute standing ovation at the festival.
Pink Villa
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Bollywood Newswrap, May 26: Alia Bhatt facing challenges at Cannes closing ceremony to Bipasha Basu on doing Jism despite warnings
Missed today's top entertainment buzz? Don't worry, we've got you covered! From Kajol's striking new look in Maa to Alia Bhatt revealing how her creative team tackled last-minute challenges at Cannes 2025, here's a quick roundup of the biggest Bollywood headlines making waves today Here are the top 5 Bollywood news stories of May 26, 2025: 1. Subhash Ghai drops BIG update on Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit's Khal Nayak sequel Over 30 years after Khal Nayak hit theaters, filmmaker Subhash Ghai has finally confirmed a sequel is on the way. Fans have long awaited Khal Nayak 2, and Ghai revealed that the script is now complete, with casting and crew selection set to begin soon. 2. Maa: Kajol's dark and divine look in mythological horror from Shaitaan world has fans saying 'OMG very excited' Kajol is ready to make a powerful return to the big screen with her upcoming mythological horror thriller Maa, directed by Vishal Furia. Building anticipation ahead of its release, she unveiled the film's first poster, instantly sparking buzz among fans, many of whom reacted with comments like, 'OMG, very excited! 3. Why did Bipasha Basu do Jism despite being advised not to take up 'adult content' film? Actress makes BIG REVELATION Bipasha Basu, once a leading star in Bollywood, recently reflected on her bold film choices, including the 2003 romantic thriller Jism. Looking back, she revealed that she was advised to turn down the role due to its 'adult content,' but she chose to follow her instincts instead. 4. No power, no problem: Alia Bhatt reveals how her team creatively overcame challenges as she prepared for Cannes closing ceremony Alia Bhatt recently marked her debut at the Cannes Film Festival with two dazzling red carpet appearances. On the final day, during the event's closing ceremony, Alia and her team encountered a power outage while preparing. Despite the hiccup, they managed to pull off a flawless look using sheer creativity and teamwork. 5. Why Ishaan Khatter wasn't 'freaked out' doing intimate scenes with Tabu in A Suitable Boy? Actor explains In a recent interview, Ishaan Khatter spoke about his experience working with Tabu in A Suitable Boy. Reflecting on filming intimate scenes, he shared that he remained completely at ease, saying, "With an actress like Tabu, honestly, it's like, you don't have to talk about it."
