Warning: This article contains mention of an individual’s death.
The Sky Is Pink holds a special place in the hearts of many Bollywood fans, often described as an underrated gem that truly struck a chord with its emotional storyline and powerful performances. As the film celebrates its 5th anniversary, let’s take a trip down memory lane to an interview where director Shonali Bose shared a touching moment involving Priyanka Chopra, who portrayed the lead character.
The film is a poignant retelling of the real-life story of Aisha Chaudhary’s parents, delving into their 25-year love saga, their journey with Aisha, and the heartbreaking loss they endured when she passed away at the tender age of 18. In a pre-release interview with Mumbai Mirror, Shonali Bose opened up about a deeply emotional moment during the filming process.
During the filming of a particularly intense scene, Priyanka Chopra found herself unable to hold back her tears even after the cameras stopped rolling. Bose recounted the emotional experience, saying, “After the scene, she just couldn’t stop crying. She kept repeating, ‘I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry. I now understand the pain of losing a child. I am so sorry for Ishlu.’ And I just held her close, letting her release those emotions.”
It’s worth noting that the filmmaker herself has endured the tragic loss of her son, Ishan, at the age of 16 due to a sudden accident involving an electric razor. Ishan was affectionately known as ‘Ishlu’ to Bose, a nickname that Priyanka Chopra adopted for her on-screen son, portrayed by Rohit Saraf. Recalling the actress’ heartfelt gesture, Bose shared, “Priyanka asked if she could refer to Rohit as ‘Ishlu’ in a scene, inspired by how I fondly spoke of my Ishan. It was a touching moment of connection between us.”
The Sky Is Pink made its theatrical debut on October 11, 2019, featuring a stellar cast including Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf, and Priyanka Chopra in pivotal roles. It stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and the emotional depth that can be achieved through cinema.
