Shabana attends Mona Kapoor's daughter graduation ceremony
- Shabana Azmi|
- Sanjay Kapoor|
- Friends|
- Columbia University
Boney Kapoor's estranged wife, the late Mona Kapoor - who passed away on March 25 - was missed at her daughter Anshula's graduation ceremony in America on May 14.
Her good friend Shabana Azmi travelled all the way there to attend the ceremony at Columbia University in New York. Shabana has been Mona's friend for years, being with her through thick and thin.
You went to USA especially to attend Anshula's graduation ceremony?
Yes. Anshula's dad Boney, chacha Sanjay Kapoor and I went specially for her graduation. Neena, Anshula's local guardian - who was a close friend of Mona's - was also present with us. Anshula is an amazing kid. She got an A for her thesis which is an incredible feat because she had only 15 days to prepare it as she was nursing her mother. Anshula has always been a topper in school and excelled academically - she dedicated her thesis to her mother and never lost focus of fulfilling her dream. I missed Mona terribly at the event...
You have always been Mona's friend and a well wisher. Did she speak about Anshula's graduation to you?
Mona had expressed to me that she didn't think she would be able to make it for Ansh's graduation. I had made up my mind right then that I would attend it. Mona was my daughter, sister, friend. She was 19 years old when we first met. Boney is also very dear to me and Mona never made me choose between her and him nor did she speak ill of Boney which was remarkably mature of her.
American President Obama was also present at the ceremony?
Obama was the chief guest for the graduating class of 2012. What a big high for Anshula and the students to have the President of USA at their graduation. There was much excitement but I must say I was more impressed with the speeches of the three students even more than Obama's!
What do you think about Mona's son Arjun's performance in Ishaqzaade?
Arjun and Parineeti are terrific in Ishaqzaade. Arjun has played a character far removed from who he is in real life and made an impactful debut. Mona went away secure in the knowledge that she had done all she could to give her kids a headstart in life. She has left behind a bank of such overwhelming goodwill that the children will never feel alone although nobody will ever be able to fill the void she has left behind. Their dad Boney, naani Satee and maasi Mini, are there for them unconditionally. Friends will do whatever they can to support them but ultimately their greatest gift is the strength with which their mother endowed them.
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