Anupama Chopra wears her heart on her sleeve. One moment, she’s raving about France’s Oscar submission; the next, she’s earnestly recommending her latest find—a survival thriller about a killer chimpanzee. At The Leela Palace Bengaluru, we caught up with the beloved film critic, author, and editor of The Hollywood Reporter India, this time on the other side of the interview.
Anupama Chopra Talks To Curly Tales
How does it feel to be on the other side of the interview?
Always weird, but fun! Fun! Because this is not a formal thing, na. It’s like a nice conversation.
Take me through your book, Dining with Stars.
Dining with Stars (published by Bloomsbury) is a compilation of some of the best interviews my colleague, Sneha Menon Desai, and I conducted at Film Companion between 2014 and 2024. This book is a compilation of almost 50 interviews with varied artists.
It’s interesting to read the interviews (originally YouTube videos) placed against each other —what Fahadh (Faasil) thinks in contrast to Hrithik (Roshan); or how Alia (Bhatt) feels vs Ratna Pathak Shah. It captures a time and place in the film industry.
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Why did you decide to close the curtain on Film Companion (FC) after 10 years? How difficult was it?
It was very difficult. Genuinely! Film Companion was a piece of my heart. We were part of this journey for 10 years and loved every bit of it.
I’ve been reviewing films for over 30 years, and the only reason I continue to stay passionate and in love with my work is because I keep reinventing myself.
After a decade, I realised we maxed out what FC could do. We needed more scale, backing, and the ability to do more — which wouldn’t have been possible as Film Companion.
But it is possible, as The Hollywood Reporter India.
For the first time in my life, I’m the editor of a print magazine, which is a huge learning curve.
Which celebrities have you interviewed who’ve expanded your understanding of filmmaking?
Kamal Haasan Sir. He is an institution of knowledge, of references. He just throws them: “You remember that French film?” Absolutely fascinating to learn from!
Even directors like Anurag Kashyap. He’ll share five things from five movies you’ve not watched, because he has consumed more movies than anyone else. You’ll return learning something new.
As Curly Tales is a food and travel platform, what are your favourite food films?
The Lunchbox is my all-time favourite food film. Also, The Taste of Things, the French Oscar submission of 2024.
Ratatouille. My laptop screensaver is of Anton Ego, the food critic from Ratatouille. Because he said: “Finally, a critic’s not that much, right?”
For me, this film has been a life-changer.
I live by Anton Ego’s, “I don’t like food, I love it. If I don’t love it, I don’t swallow.”
Which films inspired you to travel?
Movies shape our desire to travel, especially in India. Starting with DDLJ (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge), we all wanted to be on that Eurail and travel to Switzerland, which I did. I went to Switzerland for my honeymoon.
Because of DDLJ?
Not really! My husband (Vidhu Vinod Chopra) is not a (DDLJ) fan, but he loves the mountains. However, my fascination for Switzerland came from Yashji’s (Yash Chopra) films. So, it was the Yash Chopra-cinema-influence that led me to love Switzerland.
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And then of course, I wanted to go (though I still haven’t gone) to Corsica after watching Tamasha; Spain, after ZNMD (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara); and Mykonos thanks to a Shah Rukh Khan-Rani Mukerji song from Chalte Chalte.
Have you noticed a gap in casting lately, especially in romcoms, where there’s often a lack of chemistry between the leads?
In my opinion, casting has got way better because of casting agents like Mukesh Chhabra, Nandini Shrikent, Shruti Mahajan, Tess Joseph and many others.
One of the things I admired about Dhurandhar was its casting. The casting was fantastic!
My personal thesis is that maybe there’s too much vanity now. When you are coming from a place of vanity, you can’t be in love with someone else.
So, I feel that actors need to give a little more of themselves in romantic situations on-screen.
It can’t just be about, “How am I looking? Am I catching the light? Is my face more interesting than the other person’s?”
It has to be “I love you,” and that’s where you’ll get those crackling chemistries, like Kajol–Shah Rukh or Ranbir–Deepika.
At least you have to believe they are in love!
Do you feel the aesthetics in films recently are too perfect, that they could be impairing storytelling?
That’s the Instagram aesthetic! Of course, we’re here to look at pretty people and want pretty costumes. But I feel a little jhalapan (messiness) is needed. It’s attractive! Like Kajol in DDLJ.
Perfection is not fun. And it’s not relatable. Such kinds of aesthetics might be aspirational, and certain movies need it like K3G (Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham), where you’re aspiring to be a Raichand.
What’s missing is those girl-next-door vibes.
I feel Rashmika Mandanna is one of those actors who feels like she’s one of us. I really liked her in The Girlfriend.
We’ve all been ruined by Instagram; it’s all about projecting perfection.
What’s your take on the theatrical scene lately, where event films dominate, and mid-budget releases struggle to pull audiences?
I understand, you have to watch what you like. It takes a lot of effort to watch a film in the theatre: money and time, which is irreplaceable.
Today, it’s “Go big or go home!”
There’s no middle ground!
Films of ₹30-₹40 crore budgets have vanished from theatres. Filmmakers and producers aren’t making them anymore because they are scared.
Theatrical films have to be massive, which is a shame!
I urge the audience to give smaller films the initial support in theatres. For every four spectacle films, watch one alag (different) film in the theatre.
It’s important to expand your aesthetic palate. Even the audience has to evolve for the industry to evolve. Thanks to streaming, we’ve all evolved, but we need to be a little more intentional, especially in theatres.
You’re a self-proclaimed Shah Rukh Khan fan, so do share a memorable SRK anecdote.
A couple of years ago, Jeff Bezos came to India for an Amazon event. This was pre-Jawan and pre-Pathaan.
Jeff was on the stage with Shah Rukh and Zoya (Akhtar).
And at one point of this interaction, Shah Rukh poured water for Jeff, who said, “My God! You’re a superstar, and you’re pouring water for me. You are so humble!”
Pat came the reply from Shah Rukh Khan, “It’s only cause my last few films have flopped.”
No other actor would say that. I just love it!
It was so funny and fabulous!
Also Read: CT Exclusive: Sivamani On Meeting Nelson Mandela, A.R. Rahman’s Studio Rules, Chaiyya Chaiyya
Rapid Fire With Anupama Chopra
1. A recent film you watched, and highly recommend.
Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra
Eko
2. A Bollywood song you can’t stop listening to.
Tum Kya Mile from Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
My playlist is all Karan Johar! This is a song I keep going back to.
3. A film that inspired you to travel.
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
ZNMD, because it didn’t just show pretty locations. That film showed how a road journey changes who you are—what travel, meeting people, and opening up your mind does to you. It changes you from the inside.
4. A meal to celebrate a win.
Oh God! You’re going to laugh at me!
My meals are so… narrow in terms of spectrum.
Every Sunday, I make a homemade pizza with a rice base—lots of veggies, lathered with goat cheese, mushrooms, and truffle oil.
I’m trying to cut down on Diet Coke, so I probably shouldn’t say this —but accompanied by a Diet Coke, that’s my celebration meal!
5. What’s your comfort food?
I am the biggest Kathal fan on the planet!
Biryani, sabzi, anything with jackfruit.
Also, potatoes in any form.
My chef makes a version of Kashmiri Dum Aloo, without yoghurt, as I can’t have dairy.
6. What’s your favourite movie snack?
Trail mix of puffed quinoa, kishmish (raisins) and makhana (foxnuts).
7. A celebrity you admire for their offscreen presence.
Shah Rukh Khan
Because he is so witty, smart and doesn’t take his own fame too seriously. He can crack jokes at himself, which not everyone can.
8. An actor you admire for their onscreen presence.
Ranbir Kapoor
Ranbir is the gold standard of acting because you can’t see him act. You never see the effort, only the performance. And for me, he is superb!
9. A music composer whose music feels inseparable from a film.
A.R. Rahman
I fell in love with A.R. Rahman with Roja in 1992.
Vinveli Nayaga from Thug Life… What a song!
He is a great, great, great artist. Look at the beat, variety and the longevity! To do it for 30 years is not a joke. I think he is tremendous!
10. Your advice for aspiring film journalists.
Please commit to doing the homework. Don’t become a journalist because you want to interact with famous people. That’s not what this job is about.
This job is about loving the movies, loving storytelling, loving artists. Come prepared.
That would be my only advice.
Cover Image Courtesy: Facebook/ Film Companion Studios and Anupama Chopra
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