This one has hit me hard. A VOID that can NEVER be filled because there was simply no one like Irrfan Khan. His grace and dignity along with his monumental talent as an artist, actor – a portrayer of humanity in all it’s shapes and forms made me not only have deep admiration for him but I instinctively wanted to emulate that grace in my career as well. .
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There is a picture from the SAG awards( Irrfan, Dev, me and Anil) that sits on my book shelf in Mumbai and everytime I look at it, I am taken down a memory lane of all things so beautiful and joyous about Slumdog Millionaire and the awards celebrations. And in all of it I have this one beautiful and powerful memory of Irrfan – Unfazed by the glitzy glamour, no matter which Hollywood icon walked past us. Quiet but not silent- his responses to every interviewer were so meaningful and never lacking humour. He was representing India with achingly high levels of grace and dignity. He stood grounded in reality on every world stage, every red carpet- Grateful and so collected! How lucky was I, a complete little mess of a newbie, to have him as a role model! .
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For those who know of his talent, you know it cannot be replaced. For those who have not yet been introduced to his talent…Oh, do not deprive yourselves please! His repertoire has something for everyone. Warrior, Namesake, Piku, Maqbool, Life of Pi, The Lunchbox, Paan Singh Tomar and ofcourse Slumdog Millionaire. Start somewhere, anywhere! I promise you…Irrfan Khan will be FOREVER carved in your memories too!
It all makes sense now. Life makes sense, the world makes sense, the past tears and trials make sense, what wise old lovers said about love makes sense, where I am makes sense and where I want to go completely makes sense.
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You my love are just the most beautiful creation to have ever walked into my life. And you are here to stay. Well, I am making you stay. Ha! 😂
All my love with all my heart♥️.
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Oh and Happiest Birthday sweet Fiancé !
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📷 : @samanthamarq
Another year… another fabulous @vanityfair party #vfoscars –
Styling: @highheelprncess
Dress: @galialahav
Jewelry: @tacoriofficial
Shoes: @loribluofficial
Hair: @josephchase
Makeup: by Me
Nails: @nailsbyemikudo
Representation Matters!
In 2008 when Slumdog Millionaire was released I knew how important that film would be in the way the South Asian narrative would be viewed for the better. I felt so lucky to be part of it. It would mean more opportunities and more acceptance. But that alone was not going to be enough. Because “normalizing” can only achieve scale when we start young.
Being part of Mira, Royal Detective is one of my proudest achievements to date. I get to play Queen Shanti who appoints a kind, empathetic, intelligent and confident little girl named Mira to be the Royal detective to her kingdom. This show is groundbreaking on many levels- first of it’s kind ever in the animation world, an all South Asian voiceover cast and the best part NO APU accents. Thank you very much.
I couldn’t help but tear up at the premiere watching the littlest of little kids of all races and ethnicities, to their teenage siblings and their parents completely enthralled while watching Mira Royal Detective.
Thank you Disney Junior for putting your time, resources and sincere efforts in making this adorable little animation series that I predict is gonna be monumental in shaping culture. #MiraRoyalDetective @disneyjunior
Marfa Dreams! Marfa, Texas
Sister of the Bride part 2. #indianweddings
Sister of the bride. #sharonwedsbiplab Assam
The world’s first ever dress casual shoe, the inspiration for Nathan Clark’s seminal creation came from a seemingly unlikely source – the rough suede boots worn by off-duty army officers. After creating a newspaper prototype while stationed in Burma, on his return home Clark constructed a sample that would go on to become the iconic boot we all know today almost 70 years later! @clarksshoes #clarksdesertboot
Me and my shadow-self = ONE!
For 25 years, The Lower Eastside Girls Club has fought for racial, gender and socio-economic justice. At this critical moment of ongoing public health and racial equity crises, the Girls Club is here for the community. I hope you can join me in supporting this wonderful organization on Thursday, June 25, with host @RosarioDawson for @GirlsClubNY’s Virtual gala! Check out the link in my bio to purchase tickets or donate.
Hey friends, how do you feel about attending a wedding while still being in quarantine? Join us April 10th on Netflix as our rom(e)-com adventure #loveweddingrepeat premiers! #stayhome
And on another note, so much love and gratitude for our amazing Italian crew and wishing them the best in these hard times.
Don’t forget to attend the wedding today! @netflix #loveweddingrepeat
So here is Womb Stories celebrating its might and greatness along with it’s not so great, the very painful and the confusing. This is for the wonderful womb.
A special shout out to @nisha.ganatra for this glorious piece of work.
@bodyformuk
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🔊 The pleasure, the pain, the love, the hate. It’s never simple. Our #wombstories need to be shared and heard. 🔊
⚠️ Trigger warning: images of needles and portrayal of baby loss. ⚠️
🎥 Directed by: @nisha.ganatra
🎨 Artist contributors: @laurajaneyh, @carinekhalife, @sallalehmus, @kateisobelscott, @oook_bai, @stopmotionroos, @headexplodie, @nellaphnt, @mollygracelawton, @aylinohri, @__mephoto, @georgiewileman, @_mephoto
Summer Story Time!
@clarksshoes and I want to help get your little ones excited about reading this summer with some great stories and a contest!
Head over to @clarksshoes to check out my must-read books for children aged 5-8 yrs and the contest details. You could win my reading list and a pair of Clarks Desert Boots for you & your kid. #ClarksKids #ClarksBackToSchool
This morning has been a morning of a very deep feeling of Solidarity. A feeling of pride to have been born and brought up in a secular country like India. Despite everything that has gone down and continues to rear it’s ugly head – the hatred, bigotry, the violence, the intolerance and complete dismissal of human and democratic rights; it is the YOUTH of India that stir a renewed sense of hope in each and everyone of us.
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MUMBAI Oh Glorious MUMBAI- you set an example yesterday on what a peaceful and democratic protest looks like. I am so proud to have been born in this city and having had that upbringing here celebrating every religion and partaking in every religious festival- Eid, Christmas, Holi, Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi etc. There was a solid feeling of inclusivity without force and coercion which was so unique to being Indian and it is based on that feeling and that truth that makes me absolutely PROTEST AGAINST #CAB AND #NRC. I never grew up intolerant. I never felt unequal or like I didn’t belong to this country. And I am not about to let that happen now or ever. And certainly not to the minority communities most threatened under this regime.
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A special shout out to the Mumbai police for keeping all the peaceful protesters safe and for maintaining such a poised and dignifed presence during this protest.
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Another special shoutout to my alma mater St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. Thank you for your online petitions and organistaton. I feel so proud to say that I was a ‘Xavierite’.♥️
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May Tolerance, Non- Violence, Secularism and Good Sense prevail and May we find strength in numbers to never be silent against oppression. This is Democracy.
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Spirit of Mumbai captured by @lavanyaullas
3 years ago I signed onto voice a project that was near and dear to my heart… and I am finally able to share it with you! On March 20th in the U.S. and India, Disney Junior will debut “Mira, Royal Detective,” a mystery-adventure series inspired by the cultures and customs of India! Set in the fictional land of Jalpur, the series follows Mira, an intelligent and kind young girl with a real knack for solving problems. She is appointed to the role of royal detective by the queen (voiced by me!). This show literally has my entire South Asian community of actors who I so love and admire. I cannot wait for the world to meet our Mira.
A super proud moment!
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Anuradha’s story has resonated with me since I first read her memoir. I am especially drawn to the pivotal moment in her life when she so confidently walked into a Marine recruiting office and signed those papers. I’m eager to tell the story of her childhood, that life-changing decision and the aftermath. Her story provides a unique canvas in which we can illustrate the complex and easily misunderstood life of a first generation American woman born to South Asian immigrant parents. While I am drawn to Anuradha’s story in part because it is uncommon, I am also attracted to it because of the wildly relatable humanity in her fight for justice, empathy and truth.
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I am elated to partner with eOne to tell this story – we share a deep commitment to finding and telling unexpected stories that resonate long after the credits roll. This is the first of many and I couldn’t have done this without my brilliant partner @emilyverellen. FREEBIRD FILMS is our little company with a mighty slate that is run entirely by women and we slowly but surely will reveal all of our stunning babies one by one. Stay tuned and thanks for all the love.♥️
I have been feeling so excited and charged up by this small little victory from an insidious issue that has plagued India and many other countries. Beauty ideals of Light and Fair skin being promoted as more desirable have been nothing but dangerous and destructive and meanwhile, companies selling these products have made bank on them. So yes… first small victory. First, we take away the labels (and acknowledge you for recognising your mistake) and then we take away the product. Your bleach serves no purpose other than destroying mental wellness and making humans more susceptible to skin diseases. 🌻🌺🌸 Poorna says it best… read below.
Today was a small victory. A movement as powerful as #blm takes different forms in different communities. For many South Asians, one of the mandates it inspired was to end colorism. And today, @unilever said it would take out the “Fair” from Fair & lovely, or any reference to Skin Whitening.
I’d like @unilever and every other brand of skin whitening shit to get their fuck all bleach products off the shelves completely. They are filled with toxic ingredients. Renaming the brand is not enough. A Scorpion, called Fluffy, still stings.
Huge congrats to @ninadavuluri @ban.fair.and.lovely @deepica and all the people who signed the petition and have been fighting for this for years.
And let’s hold our Bollywood celebs accountable and demand they stop endorsing these products. What the hell is that about? And stop referring to darker actors as dusky. It’s stupid as shit.
Badass&lovely art work by @manal_mirza_ #fairandlovely #colorism
This beautiful project finally gets her announcement. @soulistaphd Thank you for writing such a soulful and unique memoir that is undoubtedly poised to bring up so much nostalgia and pride for so many women of colour. We were determined to bring it to this place and thank you for believing in our vision.
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I am just so crazy excited to be partnering with @gabunion . You Gab, have such an incredible attitude when it comes to collaboration and that coupled with your powerful vision for what we are trying to achieve makes you a leader to reckon with. I am honoured!
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Holly Shakoor Fleischer and Sony- your support, belief and knowledge is undeniable. Holly you are such a go getter! The kind of producer that makes sh*t happen.
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And last but not the least…my incredibly talented producing partner @emilyverellen . We all know that this just wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for you. Your keen and creative eye first spotted this book and I will never forget you fiercely dreaming up this project a whole year ago. You worked so so hard on this and this coming together of great minds we owe to your brilliance!
Let’s do this!
Let’s keep going! #blacklivesmatter • “What a sad era when it is easier to smash an atom than a prejudice.” Albert Einstein. Hang in there everybody— the struggle will be worth it. 🖤
The world is on an uncertain and eerie pause at the moment. And while the uncertainty feels daunting, there is also a need to keep our minds and our bodies in as positive a state as we can afford to keep it in.
This post is for all those parents trying to find a little uplifting content for their kids to fill in their schedules now that schools have been shut down. MIRA, ROYAL DETECTIVE debuts on #DisneyChannel TODAY at 11:00 a.m. ET/PT and #DisneyJunior at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT.
I had so much fun voicing Queen Shanti for this groundbreaking animation that shines a light on what true leadership looks like. Our children, our future leaders, inspire me. And in order to make sure we come out of this to witness what that future leadership will look like we simply have to Stay at Home, Wash our hands, Maintain Social Distancing, Be Kind and Empathic, Avoid Over Hoarding of Essentials, Keep in touch with elderly neighbors and check in on them.
Stay safe and enjoy Mira, Royal Detective.
We have something gorgeous in store for you all. Mr. Malcolm’s List directed by my awesome friend @emmahollyjones is coming together beautifully and I am so happy to be exec producing this with the fabulous @constancewu . This is another example of incredible things coming together when tenacious, collaborative women come together.
See you all back in time!
@emmahollyjones @doublelandgus @larister1 @constancewu @ojacksoncohen @samheughan @sopedirisu
My heart! No words..Just listen and read his post. Bless your heart @doctor.elvis.francois Thank you, thank you to you and the entire army of healthcare workers, doctors, nurses, janitors, technicians, therapists, pharmacists absolutely everyone who are our lifeline in these times. May we never forget what you have done for us.
Also, while you listen to the entire song on his IGTV, scroll down to Lean on Me #ripBillWithers
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Imagine all the people…
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In life, there are so many things that divide us. Religion, race, politics, social status and many more….But today a global pandemic brings us all together as one.
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Over the next few months our health care system will be tested. Many lives will be lost. Health care providers will be under an incredible amount of stress to save thousands of people. But when times are as dark as they are today, nothing shines brighter than the human spirit. —-
There is something beautiful about a collective struggle. And the beauty in what we are facing today is that the only way to overcome this pandemic is for us to all come together as one….
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Nurses, doctors, students, research scientists, politicians, Uber eats drivers, cashiers, factory workers etc…..Getting through this will be hard but one thing is certain…the only way we will get through it is together, as one
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“You might say that I’m a dreamer. But I’m not the only one. I hope some day that you will join us…and the world will live as one….”
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Full song on IGTV
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Thankful for my brother @w_a_robinson on the piano
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📸 @kpace1914
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Much love to all 7.53 billion people out there,
Doctor Elvis
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#covid_19 #healthcareworkers #imagine
Summer storytime is around the corner!
On July 16th at 12 pm PST/ 7 pm GMT, @clarksshoes and I invite you to join us for storytime! I’ll be reading the wonderful story ‘A Little Bit Brave’ by Nicola Kinnear on the @clarksshoes account. See you there! #ClarksKids #ClarksBackToSchool
