Top header Banner
Top header Banner
Middle top Banner

Gauri Shinde: “I force Balki to read everything I write”

Gauri Shinde & Alia Bhatt
Gauri Shinde & Alia Bhatt

Gauri Shinde rose to fame with her directorial debut, ‘English Vinglish’ (2012) which witnessed the comeback of one of the biggest superstars of Bollywood, Sridevi. Despite her instant success, Shinde has taken a four-year sabbatical before releasing her next project titled, ‘Dear Zindagi’ which will bring together Bollywood’s Badshah Shah Rukh Khan and popular starlet Alia Bhatt for the first time. The filmmaker has confessed she has natural insecurities which she overcomes by asking husband and director, R Balki, for his thoughts.

Midday quote Shinde saying, “I cannot get myself to start work on a movie until my husband likes it. I force Balki to read everything I write. It is a writer’s insecurity, and his opinions matter. He may get irritated with my narrations, but he patiently sits and hears me mumble with excitement.”

When asked about the process of making ‘Dear Zindagi’, Shinde replied, “Alia caught the nerve of the film in the first narration. She is real with her portrayal, and often reminds me of Sridevi. [Shah Rukh Khan] is a sum total of wit, smarts and depth. He is charming because of the way he owns the story. I could have made the movie without him, but I wouldn’t be half as happy. Even with all his experience, he makes suggestions gently, without being overbearing.”

‘Dear Zindagi’ is scheduled for release on 25th November.