ENTERTAINMENT
As Mrs Funnybones gets translated into various languages, author and dna columnist Twinkle Khanna muses about her literary trajectory
Call her a ‘star-wife’ or mention the ‘first wives’ club’ to her and you’ll regret it. I made that mistake and was blown to smithereens. Because she’s anything but that.
With a prolific writing career and a successful decor line to her credit, ‘Mrs Funny Bones’ Twinkle Khanna can easily be India’s answer to Victoria Beckham. Reams and reams of newsprint have already been devoted to her literary coup, so we’ll spare stating the obvious.
Over to the lady who breaks the Internet, whose columns trend on Twitter for days, who speaks her mind without mincing a word, has a refreshing and quirky take on the most mundane things and always manages to tickle your funny bone...
Are we allowed to preen? Our columnist is now a novelist!
Everything I’ve achieved in the literary world, I owe it to dna. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have written a word for at least another 20 years. So you could pat yourself on the back (laughs).
You’ve made the prodigal son, the man of the house, Mummyji and Gaddu famous. What’s next?
Now that I have made my pothole called Gaddu famous, I can die a happy death.
In your columns, you’ve eavesdropped on the unsuspecting lovers on the beach. What would they find out about you if they did the same to you?
I don’t have a lover — just a husband — so our conversations are not vaguely interesting and revolve around mundane topics like investment portfolios or what our daughter ate for breakfast or if her potty was normal and sometimes — like this week — about Singhs and where’s my share of all the king’s bling?
Your book went into second print even before its release and now it is being translated in several languages. That’s quite a feat. How proud are you of yourself?
More than proud, I’m overwhelmed. The columns had a certain popularity; so I sort of knew that the book will not be a dud, but this sort of response has taken me aback. It has gone into a fourth reprint and has been pretty high on the bestseller list for more than four weeks. More than this, everywhere I go, people come up to me and tell me how much they loved the book and my heart just does this happy jig. Women in the park, other moms, who tell me that they read my book four times and passed it on and that really makes my day.
Shouldn’t your book be translated in Punjabi for obvious reasons?
Well, it’s being translated in Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi, but no one asked me for the Punjabi rights though so much in the book is about good ol’ Punjab. We Punjabis are too busy doing bhangra most of the time and are too busy to read (laughs).
Your writing always has a tongue-in-cheek edge. Do you fear that a joke in English will lose its edge in translation?
That might happen. However, I will sit with the editors and brainstorm to ensure that it doesn’t lose its essence in translation.
Has your decor business taken a backseat with you being a full-time writer now?
I am working on my new decor line for Diwali called Join The Circus. Since the focus, of late, has been on my writing, people tend to think about writing as my main job though decor and interiors is what pays my bills. My writing doesn’t pay even for a new laptop that I desperately need. This coming Karwa Chauth, I have decided to fast for both. My husband’s as well as my iMac’s long life.
Does a former actress and current star-wife dress differently from an author? From being part of the first wives’ club to being an author...
Does an entity like ‘star wife’ really exist? I don’t see how being married to someone would change the person you are and this tag is also misogynistic because it states that a woman’s identity is based not on her own individuality, but on her husband’s job!
I am a human being not a mechanical satellite orbiting around a nebula in space. I don’t think my dressing has changed. Dressing is not about my profession, but according to occasion — say a book-signing or a party. When you are young and rebellious, you may go through a goth phase, where the need to scream out your individuality is paramount. But now, it’s easier to breeze in and breeze out of situations where trying to be appropriate, no longer feels as stifling.
Now that you’re acclaimed and celebrated, do you feel the pressure to be funny and engaging? Do people expect you to be funny all the time when they meet you?
I don’t feel pressure while writing because then, it’s just my computer and me. However, when people come up to me sometimes, I do feel like I have to step up and do a Johny Lever mimicry act for them.
You have never allowed the media in your home, but now as an author, you have thrown open your doors. You even shot in your home. What changed?
I like living in my cave with my cubs, scribbling randomly on the walls. This entire bright spot in the sunlight tends to give me a heatstroke. But there are things you have to do — whether it’s shoots or going up on stage — that one needs to do as part of the whole package and I try to do it in my own way as gracefully as possible. I still guard my privacy fiercely and people only know as much about me as I let them.
You’ve probably never graced as many covers as an actress as an author. Correct?
And isn’t that wonderful? To know that age is not such a big barrier in the world of flashbulbs and glossy images, as we have always believed?
I am sure you have been asked this many times but what is your second book about?
It is pure fiction about women of different ages, finally coming of age.
Setback for Anil Ambani's company, NCLT dismisses plea to block use of...
India, China reach agreement on patrolling arrangements along LAC ahead of BRICS Summit
Will MS Dhoni play in IPL 2025? CSK CEO gives major update, says...
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal sets up new company with an eye to expand in...
'Want to put culprits on no-fly list': Aviation Minister on amending safety rules amid hoax calls
When is Ahoi Ashtami in 2024? Check date, subh muhurat, significance of this sacred fast
Bullet train update: India's fastest train to launch soon, top speed to be...
Good news for Anil Ambani as shareholders approve Rs 6000 crore fundraising plan for…
Uber cab driver in Mysuru harasses customer’s grandparents, demands extra fee, company responds
Noel Tata takes BIG decision after Ratan Tata's death, Tata Group board members will now...
BIG UPDATE on Ratan Tata's will: These people entrusted with managing Rs 7900 crore assets
AP Dhillion spotted bowling in IND vs NZ 1st Test, but there's the twist...
Punjab farmers urge government for permanent solution to stubble burning amid strict penalties
Pro-Khalistan group linked to Delhi CRPF school blast? Here's what we know so far
This company CEO denies 2-day marriage leave to an employee, says 'with our policy, don’t…'
Delhi-NCR air quality worsens to 'very poor', likely to rise more
Delhi Metro vs Meerut Metro: Which is more popular and better? Check speed, features and more
Mukesh Ambani's superhit new Jio plan with unlimited 5G data, 30-day validity at just Rs...
Afghanistan denies permission to Vistara's Frankfurt-bound plane to use airspace after bomb threat
Meet Indian genius, IIT graduate, new CTO of Rs 16734000 crore company, he is Sundar Pichai's...
Mukesh Ambani donated THIS amount following his spiritual visit to...
Not Shah Rukh Khan, but this Khan was first choice for Raees; he rejected it because…
SSC CGL Result 2024: SSC to announce Tier 1 results soon at ssc.gov.in, latest updates here
Meet woman, BTech graduate who was college topper, cracked UPSC CSE in 1st attempt with AIR...
Watch: Mohammed Shami bowls at full tilt in nets after India's 8-wicket defeat in Bengaluru Test
iPhone 15 effectively available for under Rs 50,000 during Flipkart Big Diwali Sale, here’s how…
'I can’t believe': Video of snake swallowing large egg in one go leaves internet stunned, watch
Watch: AbRam wins internet with cutesy reaction to paps’ ‘Shah Rukh Khan sir ko salaam bolna’
J-K terror: Doctor, 5 labourers killed as terrorists open fire at construction site in Ganderbal
Bigg Boss 18: Viral Bhabhi Hema Sharma becomes first evicted contestant of Salman Khan-hosted show
New ITR e-filing portal 3.0 to be launched soon: Check features and other important details
Indian Railway Rules: You won't be able to carry these items during train journey due to...
New Zealand's Suzie Bates surpasses Mithali Raj for massive feat in women’s international cricket
Diwali 2024: Is Deepawali on October 31 or November 1? Know date, rituals, significance and more
Baba Siddique's son Zeeshan dares killers, says, 'they silenced my father, but they forget...'
Flipkart Big Diwali Sale: Massive discount on Moto G85, iPhone 15 Plus and more
CNG prices likely to surge by Rs 4-6, here's everything you need to know
This is world's most expensive condom that is 200 years old, it is made of...
PM Narendra Modi to virtually inaugurate Bagdogra airport terminal worth Rs 1550 crore
Meta AI on WhatsApp to soon serve as your personal assistant, know how it will work
Shocking: People in THIS country love eating crocodile meat, price of reptile's meat per kg is Rs...
Russia shoots down over 100 Ukrainian drones as missile strike on Ukraine injures 17
Delhi pollution hits ‘severe’ levels, AAP govt lists THIS reason as major factor
Elon Musk promises to award $1 million each day to anyone who signs his...
Loud blast in Delhi: Explosion reported outside CRPF school in Rohini, probe underway
‘No clean shave, no love’: Indore women's dating demands sparks discussion, watch viral video
Isha Ambani turns heads in stunning black and white outfit at Mumbai event, it costs...
Big move by Mukesh Ambani as Reliance Industries to revive Campa Cola, plans to disrupt...
'Mom, thank you...': Isha Ambani credits Nita Ambani for her success in touching speech
8th Pay Commission: Minimum salary to be doubled? Big announcement expected on...
Kichcha Sudeep’s mother Saroja Sanjeev passes away at 86 due to…
'The answer lies in the...': Gautam Adani gets candid on why he didn't complete his education