The 'Ghar Se Nikalte Hi' beauty, who now heads a division in Google India, says she has to prove herself in every meeting as 'people have a notion that actors are not intelligent'
Mayoori Kango, the light-eyed beauty from the film 'Papa Kahte Hain?' that featured the popular song 'Ghar Se Nikalte Hi', was recently appointed as the Head of Industry - Agency parternships in Google India. Kango was the Managing Director at French advertising company Performics for two years before she moved to Google. She has also worked with Digitas as associate director, media and Zenith as Chief Digital Officer.
The former actress entered the corporate world after completing her MBA from New York Business school. She worked in the US from 2004 to 2012.
Mayoori Kango chosen movies over a seat in IIT Kanpur for her Bollywood career. She acted in 15 films - 'Papa Kehte Hain', 'Betaabi', 'Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet', 'Badal', 'Papa the Great' - to name a few and numerous television soaps before she bid good bye to the glamour world. In her acting career that spanned over a decade and a half, Mayoori worked with big names like Mahesh Bhatt, Anupam Kher, Shakti Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rani Mukerji, Chandrachur Singh, Jugal Hansraj, Ajay Devgn and Arshad Warsi. The last time she appeared on the big screen was the box office dud 'Kurbaan'.
In a 2017 interview with Times of India, Mayoori had talked at length about her career choices and also revealed why the '90s weren't a great time for actresses.
Talking about 'Papa Kahte Hain', she had said, 'I was supposed to act in that telefilm in the summer vacations and go back to college. I find it amazing that even after two decades, people remember me for that one film,' she says.
Here are excerpts from her interview:
1. 'The 1990s weren't a great time for actresses'
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"I did about 16 films, and half of them never released. The 1990s weren't a great time for actresses. All they had to do was dance around trees. So, I took up other jobs like writing scripts and making documentaries. In 2000, I entered the TV industry. In a few years, I got married and shifted to the US," Mayoori told TOI.
Here's one of her dance numbers:
2. Mayoori never craved for the celebrity life
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When asked if she wishes to go back to the film industry, she said, "I never wanted a celeb-like life and that's why I never miss that part. The movie was incredible, but what happened next in my life was equally amazing. Today, I adore my job. I can only be part of films if it requires me to act only on weekends."
3. 'I have worked hard to make people take me seriously'
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"Every time a new client sees me, they have the same question ' 'How come you are here?' I have the answered it so many times that some colleagues suggested that I record the answer. But, I have to prove myself in every new meeting as people have a notion that actors are not intelligent. I have worked hard to make people take me seriously."
4. Mayoori is glad that she completed her education
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"People should complete their education before they come looking for that big break in Bollywood. Especially the actress their career in the industry lasts only around ten years. Have a backup option."
5. In 2011, Mayoori was blessed with a son
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"I moved to Gurgaon because my in-laws are based here and my son could be with them. Managing a successful career and a child can be taxing. You need a good support system, which was missing in the US," she told TOI.
On being asked whether she is in touch with anybody from the film fraternity, Mayoori said, 'I am close to Gauri Pradhan as we used to be roommates. I am also in touch with Mukul Dev, Arshad Warsi and Shweta Salve, among a few others.'
