Soha not ready for marriage yet

Soha Ali Khan insists even her mother has eased the pressure this year despite Kunal Khemu signing up for brother Saif’s home production. Here's what the actress said.

It’s official. Kunal Khemu is in Saif Ali Khan’s next production with the

HT Image

Shor In The City

director duo, Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK. But ‘good friend’ and Saif’s younger sister, Soha is not. “Raj and Krishna, who had worked with us in

99

, wrote this script with only Kunal in mind,” justifies Soha, adding, “They took it to Illuminati Films because it’s a slick and young film, just like

bhai

, who agreed to produce it. It’s only a matter of time before

bhai

and I work together. Right now, he has his hands full with Agent Vinod, Cocktail and this one, while I’m busy with Winds Of Change, Soundtrack and Chemistry.”

Does this move mean that Saif approves of Kunal? Even her mother, Sharmila Tagore, who had to be reminded that he was the guy in the pink bathrobe who she’d met on the

99

sets, has apparently accepted their relationship? “My mother knew who he was without the robe reminder. She’s seen his films. And

bhai

likes him too. He thinks he’s a good actor,” Soha laughs.

“Acceptance and approval are big, formal words. In our family, we’re trusted to make wise choices. We’re all grown up now, so our parents believe in having a limited say in our lives. If we’re happy, they’re happy for us.”

Even her dad, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, is ready to hand over his ‘baby’ to another man? That gets another laugh, “We don’t talk about such sensitive subjects, but yes, he’s proud that I’m living in Mumbai alone and standing on my own feet. And he knows I’m at a certain age, so I will one day consider marriage.”

Apparently, the wedding is not far away? “No, no, no,” she retorts. “I’m not even thinking of marriage now, just focussing on my work.” But surely there’s pressure from her mother? “There was, last year. She wanted more grandchildren, but no one was listening. This year,

amma

has given up, let’s see if it starts again next year,” she smiles.

Kareena Kapoor has gone on record to say that 2012 could be the year Saif and she tie the knot. What about Soha? “I don’t even know what I’m doing next week,” she says. “I never plan. Marriage, when it happens, will be an impulsive, last-minute decision.”

Soha’s English film,

Life Goes On

, co-starring her mother, just released with beautiful images of her mother, who was romanticised as an ideal Bengali wife and mother. “I recently saw

Apur Sansar

,

Devi

and

Nayak

, which she had done before she was 20. To work with her at 65 was an incredible experience and I’m proud it’s a part of my filmography,” Soha gushes. “She was unwell and so, in a bit of a bad mood, but work makes her happy and she enjoys my company too.”

When are they doing another film together? “Amma keeps saying she’s retiring and wants to focus on gardening. But if we get another opportunity, I’d grab it even if she tends to be a little intimidating,” she laughs.

For now, she’s focussed on her deaf-mute character in

Soundtrack

and the “welcome relief”

Chemistry

in which she plays a character who’s a mix of “Dev Anand and Charlie Chaplin”. And even the strictly-under-wraps

Winds Of Change

, Deepa Mehta’s screen adaptation of

Midnight’s Children

. She says, “It’s one of my favourite books, being a student of history, so I had to be a part of this project in any capacity.”