Remember the girl Aditi Mehra from Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani or Natasha from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara? A girl filled with thousands of colors, she is Kalki Koechlin. From being a tomboy girl in YJHD to a bitchy fiancée in ZNMD, she has answered all questions of being a notable classic actor. On this day, the 10th of January, she is celebrating her 32nd birthday. Did you know that she is more famous among critics than her fans? Her pure dedication and resolute determination toward acting have bound us to mention these six unknown sides of her:
1. Indian of French lineage
On 10th January 1984, Kalki was born in Ooty, Tamil Nadu, but her father Joel Koechlin came to India about 60 years ago and married Francoise Armandie at Sri Aurobindo Ashram Puducherry. Her parents are devotees of Sri Aurobindo. She says, “When in India people on the street are like “Hey Beauty” and she turns around and replies in Tamil, thus breaking her stereotype image.”
2. Anurag Kashyap is an ex-spouse
The well-known director of the Bollywood film industry who has directed legendary movies like Black Friday, Dev D, Gulaal, and many more is known for his off-beat but critically creative works. They both started dating in 2009 after the release of Dev D, got married in 2011, and announced their separation in 2013. In September 2015, they both got divorced with mutual consent.
3. “That Girl in Yellow Boots” is a real-life inspiration from events of her life.
This “not-so-popular” Bollywood movie was critically appreciated when released in 2011. The film was screened in the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival and 67th Venice International Film Festival. She co-wrote and starred in the movie the Role of Ruth. The character was partially based on her own experiences in India.
4. Her heart lies in Theatre
Koechlin has written, produced, and acted in many stage plays in India. ‘Color Blind,” a very recent play by Kalki, received recognition amongst theatre-lovers. She received the Metroplus Playwright Award in 2009 for “Skeleton Woman.” Other worthy mentions are “The Real Inspector Hounds,” “Hair,” “Hamlet: The Crown Prince.” In her words, “Theatre is really an actors’ playground, and there is nothing like performing for a live audience.”
5. Trekking pumps up her blood
Kalki is a sports enthusiast and loves mountain trekking ever since she visited Manali as a child. She told in an interview that besides Manali, she loves trekking in The Leh and Ladakh and enjoys long walks.
6. Her lineage has a part in Eiffel Tower
Kalki’s great grandfather, Maurice Koechlin, was a French structural engineer who played a significant role in designing and constructing the Eiffel Tower. Imagine how she feels when she stands near this Paris memento and thinks to herself, “This legend is the outwork of my Great Grandfather’s creativity.”
Besides all these, she is a fluent speaker of Hindi, English, French, and Tamil. She has a great gift for writing and acting which is still following an Excelsior. It’s her birthday, and we wish her a very successful life ahead. Happy Birthday, Kalki! 😀
