In a notable instance of admiration across the Bollywood fraternity, superstar Salman Khan took to social media to compliment Kiran Rao’s film ‘Laapataa Ladies.’ Despite the message’s intent, an error slipped through when Khan called the film Rao’s directorial debut, disregarding her actual debut with the critically acclaimed ‘Dhobi Ghat’ in 2010.
Salman Khan, known for his string of blockbuster films and extensive social media following, vocally supported Rao’s latest cinematic satire via Twitter. Sharing his enthusiastic views, Khan tweeted, “Just saw Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies. Wah wah (wow) Kiran. I really enjoyed it and so did my father. Congrats on your debut as a director, superb job. Kab kaam karogi mere saath (When will you work with me)?”
Taking an upbeat approach towards Rao’s fresh narrative, Khan’s encouragement extended beyond the boundaries of the social platform. His tweet included a personal touch, reflecting on his family’s shared enjoyment of the movie, and playfully inquired about a potential collaboration with Rao, which has generated curiosity among fans about an upcoming project involving the two.
‘Laapataa Ladies,’ a light-hearted film with a deeper social commentary, depicts an intriguing tale of two brides from rural India whose paths cross unexpectedly during a train journey leading to an accidental swap. Kiran Rao’s portrayal of the protagonists, enriched with satire, aims at presenting a relatable and endearing experience to the audience.
Fourteen years since her debut, Rao has perceived cinema as a medium to showcase the inherent goodness within the society we live in. In an interview with PTI, Rao expressed her desire to illuminate positivity and hope, aspects she believes are overshadowed and underrepresented on the silver screen. “I feel there’s a lot of goodness in the world. When we look at our lives, we realize there are so many people around us who give us hope and love. We’re surrounded by people we admire, and we don’t see enough of them on screen,” Rao elucidated, passionately sharing her vision for the film and her direction philosophy.
Rao navigated through the creation of ‘Laapataa Ladies’ with the meticulous objective of balancing realism with a feeling of lightness, striving to portray characters that are both flawed and relatable at the same time, yet lovable and real. This delicate dichotomy is what defines the charm of the movie, as suggested by its reception since its premiere on March 1st, 2024.
Under the joint production effort of Aamir Khan and Jyoti Deshpande, and presented by Jio Studios, ‘Laapataa Ladies’ is constructed from an award-winning story by Biplab Goswami. Such backing has catered to the film resonating well with the audience, potentially due to the commitment seen by the cast and crew to provide an engaging narrative that conveys entertainment laced with pertinent social insights.
Salman Khan’s commendation serves as a noteworthy endorsement, propelling ‘Laapataa Ladies’ further into the public eye. Though his misinformed remark on Rao’s directorial experience was quickly rectified by fans and media, it did little to dampen the warmth with which his accolade was received. Hence, the incident accentuates the highly anticipative response from Khan and fellow viewers, signifying the influence of heartfelt storytelling in Indian cinema. As for the query Khan posed to Rao in spirited playfulness — “Kab kaam karogi mere saath?” — the industry and its spectators eagerly await whether a creative union of these distinct Bollywood personalities will materialize in the future.
