Kareena Kapoor Cheif Editor On Mothers Day

She wore the pants for this issue. Kareena Kapoor, drop-dead gorgeous even at touching distance in black trousers and blue top, a scarf hiding her neck, strode into the BT editorial conference room at 11 am with an air of purpose.

She was here to edit today’s International Woman’s Day issue — and share in the Times Group’s plans for Women’s March... a month-long calendar of activities in Mumbai thoughtfully drawn up with the 21st century Indian woman in mind, and incorporating such bold and exciting events as riding the waves and clouds in private yachts and small airplanes, a cooking contest where men wear the aprons and toques and get behind the kitchen fires, and an all-women’s car rally from Bandra Kurla Complex to Lonavla and back. The morning ‘cuppa was ignored, so were veggie sandwiches not made in brown bread, the Bollywood reigning No 1 knows how to maintain her size zero. And she doesn’t snack in between work.

Her agenda was simple, this was a man’s world, yes, but there were quite a few women who had made a difference internationally as well — and now was the time to acknowledge them. Like who, the BT edit team asked. “Take Ash and me in Bollywood, for instance,” Kareena shot back, blue pencil poised. “Ash has gone international, she’s taken the country forward in some way... though she’s not very youth centric.” What about the other actresses? “They’re all still struggling to make the mark,” she smiled back, all dimples. And there was Meryl Streep in Hollywood who had taken acting to another level. “I’d swim the Seven Seas to get a glimpse of her,” the woman editor said wistfully. “Ditto Oprah Winfrey, who rose on the stepping stones of her former troubled life to make such a huge and positive impact on other people’s lives.” Somebody asked, what about Michelle Obama? Kareena pouted, “No, Sonia Gandhi... somebody who when she came to India, didn’t know the local language... but she changed herself and is today running the country.” And Freida Pinto? “She’s got determination and a lot of luck... Lady Luck is on her side, look where she’s come from, a one-bedroom flat in Malad, today she’s doing a Woody Allen film... even Ash hasn’t done that.”

The stories for this issue were discussed, ticked off on the editor’s list as either being approved or shot down. Kareena was asked by an over zealous lady reporter, “Why not have Woman’s Day throughout the year?” She replied without hesitation, “One day makes it more special, we excel at our jobs 24/7, but being celebrated and honoured on just one day makes a difference... it’s like our birthday or Valentine’s day, we’d look forward to it and appreciate it more.” Somebody else grumbled that women were forever taking the backseat once they got married. The woman editor pounced on that cue and tossed it back, saying, “The media does not support actresses who get married. Shaadi ho gayi, tho buddhi ho gayi. Actresses sell their talent, not beauty or souls. In Hollywood, actresses are known for their performances, not status and age... look at Kate Winslet, at Meryl Streep, here once you’re in your 30s, if you’re not sexy, you’re branded a Mata!” .

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