Renuka Shahane says husband Ashutosh Rana comes across as ‘rude, but he’s a softie’: ‘It’s his aura’
In an interview with SCREEN, actor Renuka Shahane opened up about her 1994 film Hum Aapke Hain Koun, her relationship with husband Ashutosh Rana, and her animated film, Loop Line.
Renuka Shahane’s portrayal of Pooja in Sooraj Barjatya’s Hum Aapke Hain Koun remains one of her most memorable performances. Despite being a supporting role, the actor gained widespread recognition and popularity after the film’s release. In an interview with SCREEN, Renuka, who recently directed the animated film Loop Line, spoke about her camaraderie with Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan during the film’s making. She also opened up about her relationship with her husband, actor Ashutosh Rana.
During the heartfelt conversation, Renuka was asked to draw comparisons between her real-life persona and her character Pooja in Hum Aapke Hain Koun. “There are some character traits of Pooja that are very similar to mine. Like even at home, I am not a very aggressive person. I am a softie. The relationship of Pooja with Rajesh and mine with Rana ji, the one common thing is trust and understanding. They are a unit in the film and you can see that,” she said.
The actor added, “We may be very talkative, but we’re equally comfortable in our silences. We are so in tune with each other’s ideas, values. We are in a happy space where we share things with each other. That kind of understanding and level of trust is a common point, but our relationship goes much further than what could have been shown in any film.”
Renuka Shahane then pointed out that while Ashutosh Rana might come off as a rude person, he is very sweet at home. “He is actually quite a softie. His image is such that people get scared; it’s an aura. That aura still continues when you meet him, because of the manner he talks. But, when you sit and chat with him, you get a different impression. People find it surprising, but he is actually very sweet. That just proves what a fabulous actor he is. He plays these villainous roles with such ease and nuance, but in real life, he is not like that at all,” she shared.
When asked whether she keeps up with the popular memes about Pooja’s fall from the stairs in Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Renuka replied, “I love them. I always feel that the death of Pooja has kept her alive in people’s minds. They make these entertaining videos and compare them with my fall. People even send them to me. They are so creative and funny, I have a good laugh.”
Renuka Shahane also talked about her camaraderie with Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan during the film’s making. She revealed, “It was very nice. They are very warm people to work with. They are completely professional. I was pretty new in the industry and they were huge stars at that time, but never made me feel so. Salman has a very mischievous side. And Madhuri really helped me a lot whenever I was nervous. Especially when I had to dance, I was so nervous, she kept supporting and encouraging me. She was lovely to work with. They made me feel comfortable.”
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Lastly, Renuka spoke about her animated film Loop Line, which she has also directed. “I want Loop Line to be seen across India, but it hasn’t found a platform yet. So, once the festivals get over, I will try to put it on a platform. It’s a subject that hasn’t been dealt with before. The manner of presentation and even the content is not what one has already seen. I have gotten that response from people who have seen it. It came out of a thought of trying to understand how women of this nature stay in marriages, despite disrespect and not being in a good relationship with their partner.”
Navya Kharbanda is an Entertainment Journalist and Cinematic Commentator at The Indian Express, where she specializes in bridging the gap between classic Bollywood heritage and contemporary Gen-Z perspectives. Her work is characterized by a blend of nostalgia-driven analysis and on-the-ground reporting from major film festivals and industry events.
Experience & Professional Background
Navya is a prominent voice on The Indian Express entertainment desk, known for her ability to secure candid interviews with both legendary veterans and rising stars. Her career highlights include:
The Indian Express: Covers a wide range of topics from high-stakes box office analysis to in-depth celebrity profiles. She is a regular at major events like the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
SCREEN Interviews: Navya has conducted a series of "exclusive conversations" for SCREEN, featuring industry stalwarts like Anupam Kher, Vishal Bhardwaj, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and Suhasini Maniratnam.
Archival Reporting: She is noted for her sensitive handling of archival interviews and retrospectives, recently covering the legacy of late superstar Dharmendra and the career reflections of the late Satish Shah.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Navya’s beat is uniquely defined by her "Gen-Z Revisit" series, where she re-evaluates cult classics through a modern lens. Her core areas of expertise include:
Cinematic Retrospectives: Analyzing 80s and 90s landmarks like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, and Mohabbatein to explore how themes of romance and rebellion resonate with today’s youth.
Industry Insights: Tracking the career resurgences of actors (e.g., Akshaye Khanna) and the evolving dynamics of film production and distribution in the OTT era.
On-Set Dynamics: Reporting on behind-the-scenes stories from major productions, ranging from the technical challenges of Mirzapur: The Film to the work ethics of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan.
South Indian Cinema: Expanding her coverage to include the impact of regional icons and the rise of pan-Indian fantasy epics like Magadheera.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Navya Kharbanda has established her authority by consistently providing "Journalism of Courage" in the entertainment sphere. Whether she is interrogating the sexism in patriarchal classics or reporting on the fair-pay debates at international film festivals, her work prioritizes factual accuracy and critical objectivity. Her ability to synthesize deep industry history with modern audience trends makes her a trusted source for readers seeking both entertainment news and thoughtful cultural commentary. ... Read More
