Bollywood veteran Simi Garewal shares stage with Mahira Khan in London

Present at the UK Asian Film Festival, the duo discussed family support, Mahira's career and much more

Mahira Khan is currently busy attending the UK Asian Film Festival in London. The actor was honoured with an award for 'contribution to films and activism' there as well and her recent offering Verna was screened at the women-centric event.

As part of the festival, Mahira also go to share the stage with Bollywood veteran actor, producer and famous talk show host Simi Garewal. The duo discussed Bollywood, Mahira's recent movie and much more.

Don't miss #MahiraKhan at the UK Asian Film Festival this coming week 14-16 March, #London and #Leicester https://t.co/PFlWa7tx9v #WeAreFRated #WomemInFilm @TheMahiraKhan pic.twitter.com/WvkiodTmfF

— UK Asian Film Festival (@ukasianfilmfest) March 11, 2018

First up, the Bol actor expressed how immensely proud she was of Shoaib Mansoor's directorial. "I have people from my industry here. I am so proud that this film (Verna) will be screened at the film festival," said Mahira, about the screening.

She went on to talk about Bollywood. "I am also very proud that beyond borders, politics, governments, all these rules and laws that we have to go through, as artists there are festivals like these where we can all come together, we can watch films together, we can laugh at the same jokes, we can eat the same food and enjoy it," she said.

Actress @TheMahiraKhan reveals her next dream is to make movies and "give happiness a chance". We look forward to that! #UKAFF #WeAreFRated pic.twitter.com/BWYRfXjxCH

— asianculturevulture (@asianculturevul) March 14, 2018

"And sort of rise beyond what a handful of people are trying to do. So, thank you so much for having me and having all of us," she added as she went to be seated beside one of Bollywood's oldest stars.

When asked how her acting journey started for Mahira, she said, "I was basically watching Ram Lakhan," to which Simi expressed her surprise. "It's a true story," laughed Mahira. "Is it the one with Shah Rukh and Salman?" asked a quizzed Simi.

As audience corrected her that Ram Lakhan actually stars Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff, Mahira went on to add, "Let's just pretend there was Shah Rukh in it."

"I was watching Ram Lakhan and Madhuri came on screen, and I told my mother that this is what I want to do. Obviously, she was like, 'This girl has lost it.'"

Mahira added, "Since then, I think, I was wearing my nani's saris, shutting the door and dancing. That's all I wanted to do and that's all I wanted to be. For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be onscreen."

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgVniLanQd3/?hl=en&tagged=mahirakhan

Talking about her family's support, the Verna star revealed, "My parents have been amazing. There's been this strange freedom of choice my brother and I had while we were growing up. They explained to us the consequences but we had freedom to choose what we wanted to do."

However, Mahira's nani wasn't all that for it. "She still comes over sometimes and say, 'Are you done?' and I say, 'No!', then she says, 'Okay, do it for a year more.'"

Simi then asked the Humsafar star if her nani has seen all the shows and films Mahira has starred in.

"She's very particular about the men I say 'I love you' to. She didn't mind Fawad," laughed Mahira.

"Oh! She's got good taste!" added Simi.

Talking about her own parents, Simi said her father didn't forgive her until she starred with Raj Kapoor.

Watch the whole interview here:



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