Twinkle ‘Funnybones’ Khanna is more than glitter, she’s beyond clever

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Growing up in a close-to-megalomaniac environment, where people are either larger than life or puny to the extent of being non-existent once out of stardom, can have myriad effects on minds. Humans suffer in the cacophony called Bollywood, where actors and actresses are made and unmade every weekend.

Surviving amongst people belonging to this industry, who have fragile egos and thrive on spotlight and attention-seeking behavior, can be quite a challenge.

And to have a parallel interest that comes close on heels to being an intelligent, thinking person who can take a jibe at the society, which isn’t all pink, can be quite another battle.

But when Twinkle Khanna made ‘Mrs Funnybones’ happen, she wasn’t expected to make all the news that she made. She is the person who never wanted to be deemed as dunked-in-Bollywood bimbette who was going to live under the shadow of her hugely successful parents, or her husband Akshay Kumar, who is doing quite well for himself. Mind you, he ain’t a Khan and to top that, he excels in many genres of films such as action, comedy and thrillers.

Mrs Funnybones, the hilarious and cheeky bon mots, are surely a refreshing read, especially from the stable of an actress who really didn’t get much farther in Bollywood. Twinkle has found her best form of expression.

She has compiled her blogposts and released them in a book titled, ‘Mrs Funnybones: She’s just like you and a lot like me’. Flipkart ran a pre-order contest for this most coveted book.

So, the pretty kohl-eyed lady, who is a doting mother of two, could have been a socialite for all you would care. But, she came out with a surprise. So much that her writings have spelt out some bold things that Bollywood wouldn’t have come to admit, for its sham nature.

May Twinkle was destined to write as she penned several poems throughout her childhood. Her late father Rajesh Khanna called her writing ‘morose and morbid’ but still loved her expressions.

Writing for humour genre, laced with dollops of sarcasm and wit, can come from someone who likes P G Wodehouse. Else, you would rarely notice the ‘blimey’ stuff peeking through her lines.

On the day of book launch in Mumbai, to give company to her quick wit and repartee-ready-lashing-tongue, were friends and well wishers.

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, who was present at the event said, “All of us have different abilities. Twinkle’s ability is to insult people.”

That was a quick witted compliment to a friend who gave him his biggest flop, ‘Mela’. Twinkle co-starred with Aamir in the film, which tanked and left no trace. It was somewhat a turning point for both actors, or so maintains Aamir that she married Akshay only after the film went down, and that he turned into a serious actor who got committed to acting in just one film every year.

Looks like both friends’ decision did a lot of good to the Indian audience.

During the event, while Akshay doted on her with his humourous one-liners, such as “Twinkle is like my film Baby. Deadly mission with a happy ending”, Bollywood director Karan Johar, who was Twinkle’s classmate in school and her partner in few crimes during those days, said, “She sounds like she should have been banned already!”

On a serious note, in an industry that serves fantasy and lives by the glare lights, a thinking person can be a slight aberration. Twinkle manages her writing between her decisions from choosing Tandoori chicken or butter chicken for dinner and fleet of maids and guests. It should be noted that she is also a candle connoisseur who has done pretty well for herself in the niche segment.

(Image: Twitter)