Kiran Rao, renowned for her role in the Bharatiya film industry, recently made her directorial debut with the film ‘Laapataa Ladies,’ which hit theaters on March 1st, 2024. The film, set in rural Bharat, portrays the journey of two young brides who become separated on a train, delving into the subsequent events involving their families and a police officer. While the film resonated well with its target audience, it received a mixed reception from both critics and viewers.
In an exclusive interview with media channel ‘The Lallantop,’ Kiran Rao shared insights into the challenges faced during the production of the film. One significant obstacle highlighted by Rao was the difficulty in finding railway stations that resembled those from the early 2000s, the period in which the film is set. Despite shooting village scenes in Madhya Pradesh, the train sequences were filmed in Nashik district, Maharashtra, specifically in Yeola and Talegaon. Rao expressed frustration over the government’s efforts to modernize railway stations, lamenting the loss of the old, underdeveloped aesthetic required for the film’s authenticity.
Imagine the speed of development under @narendramodi..
India's biggest Bollywood Directors are unable to find old, ugly Railway stations for shooting anymore..
All stations are being redeveloped and upgraded with modern families.. pic.twitter.com/4gvgHk2yT6
— Rohit (@Iam_Rohit_G) March 13, 2024
During the interview, The Lallantop’s Saurabh Dwivedi raised concerns about potential backlash on social media regarding Rao’s remarks against the modernization of railway stations. Rao acknowledged the possibility of facing criticism and even joked about editing out the contentious clip from the interview.
The discussion surrounding Bharatiya Railways’ development evokes memories of past controversies involving Kiran Rao. In 2015, her ex-husband Aamir Khan sparked controversy when he commented on the alleged “increasing intolerance” in Bharat, revealing that Rao had expressed feeling “unsafe” in the country and contemplating leaving. This statement stirred public debate and criticism. Furthermore, in 2021, after fifteen years of marriage, Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao announced their divorce, marking the end of their union.
As ‘Laapataa Ladies’ continues to screen in theaters across Bharat, Kiran Rao’s remarks on the modernization of railway stations add a new dimension to the ongoing discourse surrounding the preservation of historical aesthetics versus modern development in the country’s infrastructure.
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