I’ve been publishing this series of interviews I conducted with experts to capture the best 2000s nostalgia trends. The article has been published in Hindustan Times Brunch and has received so much appreciation – do give it a read! Since I could only use a single quote from all my interviewees for the article, I’m repurposing their interesting and insightful interviews on my blog. Previously, I covered film and music trends. Today, I share my chat with Ramona Arena, TV presenter, event host, actor and content creator, who played the role of Poo’s (Kareena Kapoor Khan’s iconic character) bestie in the film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (K3G). Here’s what she had to say about that generation-defining character and film:
Q: How long have you been part of this industry?
My first job was in the year 2000 – while I was still in college. From hosting on stage to a radio show that I also scripted and did programming for.
Q: Please share your best memories of working on K3G and being part of this iconic film.
Working on K3G was a dream. Such a fun, respectful and professional bunch of people. If you think about it, I was a nothing from nowhere in a film filled with the biggest stars. The first person that comes to mind is Yash uncle. He was the kindest man and so generous. He cared about everyone from the stars to the runners.
There are many moments I remember, especially the London schedule. The way I froze in the cold while shooting the scene with Hrithik and Kareena, where Abhishek makes a surprise guest appearance. They kindly came and checked on me, gave me their jackets and helped with the hairdryers that were warming me. Also the time I kept making grammatical mistakes and Karan kept making me say my lines. Each time I made a mistake, he lightly bonked my head with a rolled up sheet of paper. That was hilarious. So was the moment my skirt in Deewana Hai Dekho started at below knee level and ended up thigh high. Manish Malhotra would keep running to me during the take and chopping little by little on set.
I also remember my scene with Shah Rukh Khan, shot in Mumbai. I was shy and being distant and he sweetly reassured me he won’t do anything to me, and that I should just think about the scene and acting.
Q: What do you think made Poo and her besties such beloved characters?
I don’t think you saw those kinds of characters before. There was a relatability – a typical college going teen’s rebellions and obsessions, while also being well-dressed and styled. Also, women were becoming more independent, more assertive, but at the end of the day, they were also sweet and loving, not just bitchy and mean. The balance of both Indian and western cultures and thoughts was something women could identify with or aspire towards.
Q: Why do you think the ideal of a young woman was so snobby and snotty back then? Have things changed over the years? If yes, how?
I don’t think the ideal of a woman was snobby and snotty. I think her independence was interpreted that way because her independence is a threat, especially to men and to women that expect other women to pander to every need a man has and be a slave, and a yes-person to them. Things have definitely changed. Women have understood they don’t need to be allowed to do anything – they have an equal right to everything including opinions, likes, wants and finances. Snobby may also have been a self defence mechanism previously, or something used to feel confident superficially. It’s nice to see women centric films and movies where women play a bigger role than the stupid/ voiceless sidekick meant to titillate and then submit to the hero. These days she too is the hero.
Q: How do you think these characters would be interpreted now by filmmakers?
I think the characters will always be considered iconic in Indian cinema. They were a kind of breakthrough for the time. A modern version I imagine may be more inclusive, with sharp wit for lines, that brings out the woman power edge of today’s world. But then again, they were characters that fit the story perfectly. How someone interprets something is on them. I believe a movie is a director’s story and he brings you his vision. I think Karan and his characters were true to his vision, and the fact that people still love it two decades later says everything.
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This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Ratna Prabha.
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*This is not a sponsored post.
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