Padmini Kolhapure and Rati Agnihotri, iconic stars of the 80s, chat in a rare interview from Lehren's archives. They reveal career and personal secrets. Don't miss this unique conversation.
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00:00We were, unfortunately, when we were working together, we were made to be rivals.
00:06My husband always said, he says, Rati, you're a big fool to stop acting.
00:09He says, do we men stop acting, stop working after we get married?
00:14We don't.
00:15So why do women have this notion that they have to stop working when they get married?
00:19I'm not saying like a Prem Rowe kind of film, but I'm saying the typical what we did a part
00:24of it.
00:25Maybe you haven't done as much of those kinds of roles as I have, but running on trees and
00:29romancing with the heroes, would you be comfortable in it?
00:31I think even if I was comfortable with it, my son would come and slap me on my face.
00:35Okay.
00:36Rati, I'm very glad to welcome you, not just on Lehre, but once again in our beautiful
00:48industry.
00:49After so many years, we are meeting together in front of the camera.
00:55First let me thank you, Padmini, after 15 years, long time, long time, we said the same
01:06thing.
01:07Okay, tell me, after 15 years, what was the special thing that you said yes to?
01:17What was it?
01:18I don't know what it was.
01:23But out of the blue, Rahul came over and he just said, I'm making this film and it's a
01:32take off on Parent Trap and I would be happy if you would do it.
01:37I said, okay, fine, I'll do it.
01:40He said, that's it?
01:41I said, yes, I'll do it.
01:42That's it.
01:43That's wonderful.
01:44I think if you think too much, it doesn't work out.
01:48Yeah, exactly.
01:50So I think you have to be spontaneous about it and that's it.
01:56And tell us something about this film.
01:58What is the name of the film?
02:00The name of the film is Khatta Meetha.
02:02It's starring Kajol, Rishi Kapoor, Sunil Shetty, myself and Pooja Batra and a few other
02:09character artists.
02:11It's a take off on Parent Trap.
02:15It's not a remake.
02:16It's a take off on Parent Trap.
02:18And Kajol is playing a jorwa character, like twins.
02:22We are parents, Rishi Kapoor and me are parents to Kajol.
02:27And 22 years ago, we have a breakup and we split.
02:34So that's it.
02:35And it's all fun and frolic.
02:37Has to be.
02:38For me, it has to be.
02:39If it's Khatta Meetha, it has to be fun and frolic.
02:41And for me, working again has to be fun and frolic.
02:44Has to.
02:45And you're paired with Chintu.
02:47Chintu, Rishi Kapoor.
02:48Now after 15 years, I mean I'm sure you must have met each other in the meantime,
02:54but how did you feel working with him?
02:57After 15 years.
02:58Our last film together was Tawaif.
03:01It was my last film in the industry.
03:04It was with Rishi Kapoor.
03:06And after 15 years, my first film is with him.
03:11That's wonderful.
03:12So it's ironical.
03:13And in fact, the last day I ever shot, 15 years ago,
03:17was for a film with, I was supposed to originally do it with Ketan Desai,
03:22Allah Rakha.
03:23Chintu was in it.
03:25And suddenly I got married and this and that,
03:28so I said I won't do the film.
03:31And so Ketan said, Rati, please do a guest appearance for a day.
03:37So I said okay, fine, I'll do it.
03:40So the last day I ever shot was with, again, Rishi Kapoor.
03:44It's ironical.
03:45Like I said, it's destiny.
03:47Whatever is in destiny, that's what happens.
03:50That's true.
03:51And after 15 years, when you had to come in front of the camera,
03:54because I've heard a lot that often when heroines leave films,
03:59they forget everything.
04:02And I had also heard that when Dimple made a comeback,
04:07and when she had to face the camera,
04:09it was very difficult for her to do that.
04:11What did you think?
04:15This answers totally from what I feel.
04:18Because when I went on set on the first day,
04:22it was strange because I'm a very religious person.
04:28My first shot was with Ganeshi, I was doing the aarti.
04:31And it was just totally, like it was not planned.
04:35And I was doing the aarti,
04:37and it was a shot where Pooja Batra and me,
04:40we have a little tiff, you know.
04:42And after the shot, everything happened and it went off well.
04:47And after the shot, everybody said,
04:49so how did you feel?
04:51So for a moment, I'm saying, how did I feel?
04:54And I said, felt okay.
04:56And after that thought, I said, it makes very boring copy.
05:01I mean, everybody's waiting and they had a huge cake for me.
05:05And they cut it and they clapped.
05:07And they made me feel so,
05:08and the welcome was really warm.
05:10Very, very warm.
05:11And they really made me feel good.
05:12And I give them a boring, how did it feel?
05:14It felt fine, you know.
05:16I said, it felt the same.
05:18I said, am I supposed to feel different?
05:20I said, because once you get back
05:22into the movement of filmmaking,
05:24onto the rut of filmmaking,
05:26it's the same, like right now we are behind the,
05:29you know, we are in front of the camera.
05:31And we are just, we are oblivious of the camera
05:33and what's happening.
05:34So I think it's the same, aren't you?
05:36Like they say, once an actress, always an actress.
05:38That's true.
05:39So I think.
05:41And you were always the glamorous,
05:44Rathi, Agnihotri.
05:48So, I mean, are you playing a glamorous mother
05:51in this film as well?
05:53Yes, I am.
05:55I'm playing a glamorous mother who,
05:58I mean, we are estranged parents.
06:00So we separate for 20 years.
06:02We aren't together.
06:03And they have glimpses of flashbacks
06:07to establish the whole, you know,
06:09all the characters of the film.
06:11But then we are estranged for 20 years.
06:13I'm living in the States and he's living in India.
06:15He's got one daughter, I've got one daughter.
06:17And how these two girls bring us back.
06:19And so it's like basically a mom
06:21who's been living in the States for 20 years.
06:23So my get up is also very happening.
06:27Can't wait to see it.
06:29Well, it's got shades, all kinds of shades.
06:32So it's nice as a comeback for the simple reason
06:34like people say comeback.
06:36It's not the boring mother with grey
06:38and looking dowdy.
06:40Why do people say that when actresses
06:42give up, you know,
06:44when they get married, it's typical.
06:46Actress ne shaadi karli,
06:48ab unhone filme chhodi.
06:50Par aisa kyu hota hai ki,
06:52jab unko wapas aana hota hai,
06:54ya jab unhe filme karni hoti hai,
06:56toh logon ke dimaag bhi stigma sa hota hai
06:58ki bhai, ab pata nahi ye actress chalegi,
07:00why does this happen?
07:02It happens because trends change.
07:04Audiences there,
07:06wants there.
07:10The whole generation changes.
07:12And we actresses
07:14like who have given up a long time ago.
07:16We probably don't,
07:18like we have left
07:20with being glamorous
07:22heroines, this and that.
07:24So they feel panda saal baad,
07:26chahed moti hogi hogi, buddi hogi hogi,
07:28you know, they cannot relate
07:30to us
07:32in a new mold.
07:34But I feel this is a very wrong notion
07:36because I feel that actresses,
07:38you have to graduate with time.
07:40I don't think,
07:42I mean if I would ask you,
07:44would you be happy, comfortable
07:46doing, you know,
07:48films like you were doing earlier
07:50in the sense like The Young,
07:52Dancing Around,
07:54I'm not saying like a Prem Roh kind of film,
07:57what we did a part of it,
07:59maybe you haven't done as much
08:01of those kind of roles as I have
08:03but Running Around Trees and Romancing
08:05with the Heroes, would you be comfortable in it?
08:07I think even if I was comfortable with it,
08:09my son would come and slap me on my face.
08:11So exactly, I think I would
08:13not be comfortable about it. I would say
08:15I don't think this is
08:17happening for me, you know.
08:19Everything else would come later.
08:21It would be my decision first.
08:23I mean, I cannot relate
08:25to the character. Like this film I've taken up
08:27and subsequently whatever offers have come
08:29by are characters
08:31that I definitely relate to.
08:33Okay. And
08:35I mean, I'm sure you were
08:37offered, you know, in the span
08:39of 15 years, you must have received a lot of offers.
08:41And
08:43you know,
08:45considering you were
08:47a good actress as well,
08:49you were at, you know, much earlier
08:51than this, were you ever tempted?
08:53Did you ever feel like,
08:55why did I leave films?
08:57I know your husband
08:59always tells you that
09:01you shouldn't have left films.
09:03You should have. Oh, me?
09:05That was for you.
09:07And if you remember, we met once
09:09at a common friend's party.
09:11The first time you had met my husband.
09:13I'm sorry I'm going off track, but I have to
09:15because I have to correct you.
09:17And Anil, my husband said,
09:19he said, Padmini,
09:22you're one girl who should
09:24never, never
09:26have stopped acting because your
09:28talent
09:30in abundance.
09:32And I second that.
09:34It's not just
09:36a compliment. That's what
09:38we owe to you. Thank you.
09:40It makes me feel good. And we truly mean it.
09:42Thank you. It really makes me feel good.
09:44And I'm sure all the viewers mean it.
09:46Thank you. Well, I'm glad.
09:48I'm very happy that people had accepted me
09:50as a good actress.
09:52You were. They had to accept you.
09:54Thanks.
09:56You were asking me so many questions.
09:58Now I have to turn it around
10:00and ask you the question.
10:02You want to know everything about me.
10:04Let me know something about you too.
10:06I heard in the last few years,
10:08in the last 8-10 years,
10:10you married 10-12 years?
10:12You have been receiving a lot of offers.
10:14So I'm asking you,
10:16why did you stop acting?
10:18Well, I think
10:20the same goes with you.
10:22I think we had a lot of workload.
10:24That's why we
10:26stopped acting.
10:28Not that I had any
10:30problems with the industry or
10:32with my work.
10:34But I had already made up my mind
10:36that once I get married, I'm going to stop working.
10:38Although after getting married,
10:40it took me 2-2.5 years
10:42to finish the old films.
10:44It took me 2.5 years
10:47to finish the old films.
10:49After that, I thought
10:51that I have to start a family.
10:53Then it just
10:55went on.
10:57When you have a small kid,
10:59you're busy with the kid.
11:01There are so many other responsibilities.
11:03So these things get sidetracked.
11:05That's exactly the reason why I
11:07probably wasn't open to it.
11:09It was for the same reason as you put forth.
11:11Exactly the same.
11:13You get married, you get overworked.
11:15You start a new life.
11:17It's all a new thing which you want to enjoy.
11:19Now when you feel everything is
11:21well settled,
11:23you can be spared
11:25for those many days.
11:27Speaking about that,
11:29did your husband ever feel
11:31that it was his decision or yours?
11:33It was my decision.
11:35Completely my decision.
11:37In fact, my husband
11:39always said, Rati, you're a big fool
11:41to stop acting.
11:43We men stop working
11:45after we get married.
11:47We don't. So why do women have this notion
11:49that they have to stop working when they get married?
11:51Actually, being an actress is like
11:53being a housewife.
11:55It's a full time job.
11:57There are no half measures.
11:59It's not like a 9 to 5 job.
12:01I said, I give myself 100%
12:03to anything I do.
12:05And I said, right now
12:07at this point, at this stage in life,
12:09there is nothing like 50% or 80%.
12:12I have to either give my 100%
12:14to my new life, my family
12:16or 100% to my profession, my work.
12:18So at that point,
12:20probably that's why I wasn't
12:22open to working.
12:24One more thing that always
12:26crosses my mind is
12:28you are known as
12:30Rati Agnihotri.
12:32I'm known as Padmini Kolhapure.
12:34And then it's again
12:36professionally.
12:38But still,
12:40somewhere deep down, do you feel
12:42why am I not called
12:44Rati Virvani?
12:46Why am I not called Rati Virvani?
12:48Do you feel like that?
12:50No, I don't feel like that because
12:52I accept that
12:54even though I had left the industry
12:56for so many years, I was still
12:58in people's minds
13:00Rati Agnihotri.
13:02Because wherever I went, in a public
13:04gathering, it was Agnihotri.
13:06People would recognize me as Agnihotri.
13:08And I would never
13:10probably correct them and say, no, I'm Rati Virvani.
13:12Because for the simple reason,
13:14professionally, that is what I am.
13:16Even though I wasn't working.
13:18In business circles, in any
13:20connection that my husband was involved,
13:22I always corrected. I said, I'm sorry,
13:24but I'm Rati Virvani.
13:26So it deepens a lot of...
13:28It does, but I think
13:30it's not so hard on...
13:32It's not hard at all on us as it's on
13:34our spouses. It's up to them to...
13:37I wanted to ask you,
13:39being married to an actress,
13:41do you think the actress has to
13:43adjust more or the husband?
13:45Husband. The spouse.
13:47If you're married to an actor or
13:49an actress or anybody who is
13:51in the performing industry,
13:53it is harder on a spouse, especially
13:55in my case.
13:57My husband is a non-
13:59film person. He's not connected
14:01in any way to the industry.
14:03Neither is his family.
14:05He has a small family
14:07from his side which has to
14:09adjust, accept and
14:11encourage.
14:13Which that would...
14:15has been the case with me.
14:17That's wonderful. I think we're quite lucky to have
14:19good husbands, good families.
14:21That's true.
14:23Padmini, I heard that
14:25you are conducting acting classes.
14:27So it's very nice.
14:29So I need to know more about it.
14:31Well, my acting
14:33school. My first
14:35acting school started in London.
14:37After that,
14:39I started another school
14:41in Delhi. It's been two and a half years.
14:43And now I'm conducting
14:45a workshop for children
14:47in Mumbai.
14:49It's for children from
14:517 to 14 age group.
14:53And of course, if your son is interested,
14:55you're most welcome to send your son.
14:57That's why I asked because a friend
14:59told me that Padmini is
15:01planning to conduct
15:03classes for kids,
15:05workshops. So that's why I asked you.
15:07So I got to know.
15:09I have a whole lot of
15:11boys and girls,
15:13teenagers who are in my Delhi and London
15:15school. That's lovely.
15:17And for them,
15:19I'm trying to help them in this industry.
15:21And for them,
15:23I'm creating a website
15:25called startalash.com
15:28Through that,
15:30they get access
15:32all over. So great. So your talent
15:34is not wasted.
15:36It's being tapped right through.
15:38I'm trying my best
15:40because I think
15:42an artist's art
15:44never dies
15:46or ends.
15:48Once an actress, always an actress.
15:50You keep the fire within.
15:52And it's always there.
15:54It's like a volcano
15:56erupting. That's how it is.
15:58And I'm just trying to use it
16:00to the best of my
16:02way or knowledge or whatever
16:04in whatever way I can.
16:06That's nice. And I heard
16:08that also
16:10you were approached by
16:12Mr. Mahesh Manjrekar
16:14to do a film.
16:16Yes, I was approached by him.
16:18Let me just be straight on. Why did you turn it down?
16:20No, I was approached
16:22by him and I was very happy because
16:24he made a brilliant film called Vastav
16:26and Sanju has done a brilliant
16:28job and
16:30definitely Sanju has
16:32put in a lot of effort
16:34and I would like to say that
16:36the way the film was made
16:38and the hard work that was put in
16:40I give total credit
16:42to Mahesh because
16:44it is an out-and-out director's film
16:46and I was really happy when I was offered a film
16:48by him.
16:50I wonder where you got this news from
16:53I have my sources.
16:55But unfortunately,
16:57like I said, with my acting schools
16:59and various other activities going on
17:01at that point of time, he wanted to
17:03obviously make this film
17:05at one stretch
17:07and you couldn't possibly take the time out.
17:09I couldn't devote that much time.
17:11The same goes with you. Like you said, you have to
17:13put in your best with whatever you do
17:15whether it's my acting school
17:17It has to be 100%.
17:19That is the main reason
17:21why I turned it down.
17:23So now I am going to be eagerly awaiting
17:25to give you a very warm welcome
17:27whenever you do decide.
17:29Thank you. It was wonderful
17:31talking to you.
17:33It was and more than
17:35wonderful talking to each other.
17:37I think it's so nice that
17:39we can share
17:41and go back those
17:43many years and share the warmth
17:45Yes.
17:47And we were unfortunately
17:49We were made
17:51to be rivals
17:53by the media hype or whatever.
17:55No, that is always part of the industry
17:57because I think
17:59we are so busy working
18:01so one doesn't have time to clarify.
18:03You just go through the whole thing.
18:05We were not rivals
18:07because we all had our own slots.
18:09No, we weren't.
18:11But we were made out to be. It's natural.
18:13That is the way any drama industry
18:15you have to pay the price
18:18But it's so nice
18:20that going back those many years
18:22we can still start afresh
18:24and still start with that much feeling
18:26and regards for
18:28colleagues around us.
18:30One last question I want to know.
18:32Is this film just a one off?
18:34No, I am going full steam ahead.
18:36That's wonderful.
18:38I wish you all the very best.
18:40It's not going to be a one film.
18:42I am going to be taking on many more offers.
18:44Right now they are on the
18:46discussion stage so I can't
18:48reveal.
18:50But in a week's time
18:52I think I would be
18:54wrapping up a few things.
18:56I am sure all your fans
18:58and your viewers are awaiting this film
19:00and they are looking forward to seeing you
19:02in many more films.