The most beautiful reply in a Q & A session with Mahima Chaudhry came when she was asked, “What gives you hope?” This was in London recently, after the screening of her new film, Hope and a Little Sugar at the BAFTA theatre. She smiled benignly and said, “My little daughter. She has brought back my innocence!” The audience burst into appreciative laughter, as Mahima and Tanuja Chandra, who has directed the film, soaked in the warmth of a successful screening.
“We had a packed house, much of which surprisingly, was non-Indian,” says Tanuja, thrilled by the applause her film evoked at the end of the show. “And it was great to have Meera Syal in the audience! I am a fan of her work, so it felt really good that she loved the film, and afterwards kept throwing flying kisses to Mahima for her performance!” Which reminds us of the other time Mahima had everyone giggling away as she related the kissa of a kiss! “I was in a relationship with someone when I was approached for this film, so I was uncomfortable kissing on screen.
Tanuja was in talks with other actresses as well, who incidentally did not have problems with the kiss. However, her producers changed and things didn’t work out with those actresses. And coincidentally, my relationship too broke off ! So upon finding out that Tanuja hadn’t finalised a heroine, I called her and announced, I am ready to kiss! And so, I sit in front of you today, gathering accolades — all because of a little kiss!” The audience clapped at Mahima’s candid wit, which has only become sharper with marriage and motherhood. This is the first English-language film for both these feisty ladies, and also stars Anupam Kher in a searing role. The all-India release is expected very soon.
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