Twinkle Khanna confronted mom Dimple Kapadia for forcing her into acting, veteran actor had the last word: ‘You would have become obsolete now'

Indian Express

15-05-2025

Actor-turned-author Twinkle Khanna may have started her public career in the world of Hindi cinema, but she has carved a far more lasting legacy with her pen. The author of bestselling books like Mrs Funnybones, The Legend of Lakshmi Prasad, Pyjamas Are Forgiving, and most recently Welcome to Paradise, Khanna has established herself as a witty and insightful commentator on modern Indian life. Though she dabbled in acting with a string of popular films in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Twinkle now appears firmly content in her role as a writer. In a recent candid conversation with Divya Jain, she opened up about how her entry into Bollywood was not entirely by choice but rather, the result of familial expectations.
'Like many people here, I'm sure, whatever their parents did… if they had a mithai shop, you became a mithaiwala. It was as simple as that. My parents were very keen, my mother was very keen. I had applied for my CA entrance exam, because that's what I wanted to do, strangely. And my mother told me, 'This is the only time that you can become an actress, and later you can do what you like.'' Twinkle's acting career, though visible, was short-lived. likely because her interests lay elsewhere. Speaking with her trademark candour, she recalled confronting her mother, veteran actress Dimple Kapadia, about it years later.
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'You know, what the hell? You forced me into something. I could have had a successful career as a writer right from then. Then she responds something like, ''Well, what would you have done now? You would have become obsolete.' So yeah, she used to have the last word even then.' In the same conversation, Twinkle made a broader point about parenting and ambition. She emphasized how important it is for parents not to impose their unfulfilled dreams or ideals onto their children. 'I think as mothers, our ambitions and ideas often get passed on to our children. And we shouldn't do that. You look at your child, you look at your child's strengths and skills, and just go by that, not what you think is best for them. Because eventually, they will shun that and shine in the way they can.'