SONI RAZDAN DISCUSSES HER NEW FILM, THEATRE AND LATEST STAGE ROLE
by ASJAD NAZIR
THE theatre play everyone has been talking about in recent weeks is When The Crows Visit and at the heart of it is acclaimed actress Soni Razdan.
She has been delighting audiences with another powerful performance in the family drama that has received wide critical acclaim and once again shown off her impressive versatility with a challenging role.
The play continues a close UK connection for the actress, who was born in England, raised in India and studied her craft at the Guildhall School Of Music And Drama.
Soni has done a lot of work in England and was clearly delighted to be on the London stage when Eastern Eye caught up with her to discuss acting, When The Crows Visit, her film No Fathers In Kashmir, superstar daughter Alia Bhatt and more.
You are very versatile, but how does theatre compare to the other acting mediums?
Each medium has its advantages and brings its own excitement to one’s life. It is so wonderful to be on stage because you are doing the performance every night in front of a live audience and need discipline. There are a lot of things I enjoy about filming as well, so can’t say which I prefer. I like to do everything and that keeps me on my toes.
You must be thrilled with the reviews that When The Crows Visit has got?
It is always lovely to get a good review, but it means a lot to me to get the audience’s appreciation directly, which you get on stage. Also, when you leave the theatre at night, someone may be waiting to greet you and tell you they enjoyed the show. Then you see it online. All these things add up.
Your character in When The Crows Visit is emotionally demanding…
The whole play is demanding on all of us. When I first got the script, I didn’t even know she is in a wheelchair and thought she is just in bed for the whole show, and that I will have a lovely time. But even when you are in bed or a wheelchair, the amount of energy you expend is the same as running around on stage. I’m really enjoying the part because it is beautifully written. It is giving me a lot of opportunities to play around and do different things. I haven’t actually done a role like this ever or played someone in this age group. She is so amazing.
Do you feel a change in your performance during the run of a theatre play like this?
It seems to change and that is the whole beauty of theatre. One of the things I love about theatre is that every time you do a show it is slightly different and you find something new. That is the magic of it for an actor.
Is there any one moment in the play that is your favourite?
I love the first scene because there are lots of funny bits in that. It’s just whacko and she is just having fun, taking the mickey out of her nurse and just enjoying herself. I loved that. It was fun to do.
What is the secret of a good performance on stage?
Being truthful to your character.
What makes for good theatre?
Theatre is so vast that it could be anything really, so I don’t know if there is any one thing that makes for good theatre, but obviously, the first thing that is required is a good script. Without that, I don’t think you can do much.
What’s your dream role?
I don’t think there is any such thing as a dream role. Honestly, not at this age.
How much does it help having good actors opposite you?
I think it just elevates whatever you are trying to do. When you have a good actor opposite you, you will always be better... because acting is not acting, it is reacting. So if you react to a bad performance, it will show in your performance.
You must be happy No Fathers In Kashmir is finally getting a UK release in January 2020. What was the experience of working on that film like?
That was a hard film to shoot because we were stuck in the back of beyond somewhere outside Kashmir where we didn’t have many facilities, heating or a hotel; it was not a comfortable shoot. But the whole experience, including seeing it through to release was great. When you believe in something and think it is good, it makes the whole journey worthwhile. It was lovely working with (director) Ashvin Kumar. I loved the script and think it’s a wonderful film.
Would you agree it is also an important film?
It is! What was astounding to us was when it ran in India and there were full houses at 9.30am in Bangalore because sometimes we didn’t get evening shows, but people wanted to see the film, so they came to watch it. Many were crying and thanked us for making this movie because there is so much misconception about Kashmir and what the issues there are. It was enlightening for many people and that was the idea.
You must be proud of your superstar daughter Alia Bhatt’s achievements. Does she come to you for advice?
Not really. She is pretty sorted in the advice department now, but of course, when she was younger it was different. She has always been pretty sorted because she has a great management team. My husband and I play a peripheral role in that sense. Possibly, my husband (Mahesh Bhatt) plays a bigger role. He is very good at giving emotional guidance.
What inspires you today?
A lot of things inspire me. Looking forward to working with interesting people is something that really inspires me. Looking forward to something good happening in terms of work is inspiring because there is a lot of good work happening. Today in India, actors of my age are getting good work after a long time, so now opportunities have come our way and they are very inspirational.
Why do you love being an actor?
I have no idea. I have always loved it. Every time I do something I find a challenge within it and that is what is exciting. It keeps me alive and going.
No Fathers In Kashmir releases in UK cinemas in January 2020.
When The Crows Visit is on at Kiln Theatre in London until November 30.
Visit www.kilntheatre.com
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.