The success of “Laapataa Ladies” has given filmmaker Kiran Rao a fresh sense of momentum. After returning to direction with the critically acclaimed film, Rao says she is now keen to work more consistently and take on projects at a faster pace.
Speaking recently about her filmmaking journey, Rao admitted that she sometimes wishes she had the confidence and speed of director Rohit Shetty. Known for juggling multiple projects at once, Shetty has built a reputation for seamlessly balancing filmmaking and promotions. Referring to his work style, Rao remarked that he is often “editing one film, directing the next and promoting a third,” something she finds both impressive and inspiring.
For Rao, the comment was also a reflection on her own career. After making her directorial debut with “Dhobi Ghat” in 2011, she took more than a decade to return with “Laapataa Ladies”. Looking back, she acknowledged that she may have spent too much time worrying about whether a project would work instead of simply making films. Now, she hopes to direct more frequently and explore a wider range of stories.
The comparison with Shetty is particularly interesting given the filmmaker’s packed slate. One of Bollywood’s most commercially successful directors, Shetty is currently busy with multiple ventures across films and streaming. While continuing work on his popular cop universe, he is also developing future installments of successful franchises and overseeing several large-scale productions, making him one of the industry’s busiest filmmakers.
Meanwhile, Rao is already working on new ideas. She has revealed that she is developing projects across genres, including a supernatural horror film, a dark noir story and a light hearted comedy drama. The filmmaker believes the positive response to “Laapataa Ladies” has encouraged her to take more creative risks and spend less time second guessing herself.
With audiences embracing her return to filmmaking, Rao seems determined not to wait another decade before stepping behind the camera again. And if she can channel even a fraction of Rohit Shetty’s relentless pace, moviegoers may be seeing a lot more of her work in the years ahead.
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