Sulbha Arya reflects on her iconic Kantaben role

Sulbha Arya became well-known for her character Kantaben in the 2003 film "Kal Ho Naa Ho." The movie starred Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Saif Ali Khan. Arya says she does not know what made Kantaben such a memorable character. In an interview, the 74-year-old actress recalled how she got the role. She was busy teaching at the time but agreed to do it when the director, Nikkhil Advani, approached her. She had a short shooting schedule, but she felt comfortable since she already knew some cast members from the industry. Arya explained that she relies on her theater background rather than formal training. Currently, Arya stars in the short film "2050 Care with Love," available on YouTube. The film explores the deep bond between an elder and her caregiver. Arya mentioned that playing this role was easier because it reflected her own age. She believes that writers are creating better roles for women now, allowing them to express their real-life challenges. Arya also spoke about working with Jamie Lever, daughter of the famous comedian Johny Lever. She shared that their friendship made the experience more enjoyable. The short film was produced by Santosh Kumar Acharjya and features Avinash Dwivedi in a key role.