From Real Roots to Reel Roles: Aditi Rao Hydari, Kareena Kapoor Khan & More Actresses Who Embraced Their Cultural Identity on Screen
There is something that feels really ‘full circle’ when actresses embrace their cultural identity on-screen. Be it Hyderabadi, Gujarati or even Punjabi, our Bollywood actresses have painted the screen with vibrant colours of cultures and dialects. Take a look:
Kareena Kapoor Khan – Jab We Met
Kareena Kapoor Khan is Geet and Geet is Kareena Kapoor Khan. The actress has strong Punjabi roots from her father’s side of the family, a factor that made Geet even more relevant and perfect to enhance the Punjabi flavour of Jab We Met!
Deepika Padukone – Chennai Express
In Chennai Express, Deepika Padukone made ‘Meenamma’ iconic not just with her acting finesse but also because of her strong South Indian roots. The actress is a Mangalorean, and this becomes one of the reasons why we continue to recollect her strong dialogue delivery in the South accent itself!
Aditi Rao Hydari – Lust Stories 3
Aditi Rao Hydari embraces her Hyderabadi roots in the recently released anthology, Lust Stories 3. The actress brings Hyderabadi flavour especially as she hails from the princely state of Hyderabad, making her portrayal even more real than manufactured. Not many know that the actress’ great-grandfather, Akbar Hydari, served as the prime minister of the historic Hyderabad state from 1869 to 1941.
Alia Bhatt – Gangubai Kathiawadi
Alia Bhatt unleashed her never-seen-before Gujarati avatar in the acclaimed spectacle, Gangubai Kathiawadi. The actress brings with her Gujarati roots from her paternal side as the patriarch of her family was Nanabhai Bhatt, a Hindu Nagar Brahmin from Porbandar in Gujarat.
Shraddha Kapoor – Eetha
Shraddha Kapoor embraces her Maharashtrian roots in what has shaped up to be one of the biggest theatrical releases, Eetha. Here, the actress steps into the shoes of the legendary Lavani folk artist, Vithabai Narayangaonkar, and her riveting look from the teaser has already raised anticipation of what’s to come.
By embracing their real cultures on the screen, these actresses made their portrayals even more believable and unforgettable.