“I Am An Avid Art Collector, Too Excited To Be Here”: Raveena Tandon Inaugurates Kiran Chopra’s Solo Exhibition!

The Nehru Centre AC Art Gallery in Worli hosted a memorable evening as veteran artist Kiran Chopra unveiled her 48th solo exhibition, Beyond the Visible. Inaugurated by acclaimed actor Raveena Tandon as the Chief Guest, alongside IAS officer and artist Nidhi Choudhari as Guest of Honour, the opening gathered prominent creative personalities—including Raell Padamsee and noted artists Prakash Bal Joshi, Safdar Shamee, Gautam Patole, and Paramesh Paul—to honor Kiran Chopra’s remarkable 35-year legacy.

The evening was particularly special for Kiran Chopra, who is celebrating 35 years in the field of art and has dedicated this exhibition to her late husband, Arun Chopra. Bringing together around 20 mixed-media works spanning her spiritual, mythological and semi-abstract explorations, the exhibition also features Kiran Chopra’s signature black-and-white paintings, which have become synonymous with her artistic identity.

“I knew of Kiran ji’s works, and when I looked her up further, I realised that she is one of the staunch pillars of the art foundations that we have in our country,” Raveena shared. The actor looked elegant in a cropped black-and-gold brocade jacket paired with high-waisted wide-leg trousers. Gold strappy heels, a sleek pulled-back bun and minimal jewellery completed her look. “Kiran ji’s works are exquisite. Other artists have their own ways of painting, drawing and interpreting what they feel, but to achieve this kind of depth in black and white, like Kiran ji does, is very difficult! And then, of course, the vibrancy that comes through with the spurts of colour against the black is beautiful. I am an avid art collector, and I am too excited to be here!” she added.

Raveena, who had come familiar with Kiran Chopra’s work, discovered that the artist had once been a neighbour of her parents at their family home in Gwalior. Their parents knew each other, making their meeting in Mumbai after all these years feel less like a first meeting and more like an unexpected reunion. This sentiment found a beautiful expression in one of the evening’s most heartwarming moments. Raveena, who now owns one of Kiran Chopra’s paintings, asked the artist to write “With love from Gwalior” on the back of the canvas and autograph it for her.

Interestingly, Raveena’s own spiritual side also drew her towards the works at the exhibition. “There are some stunning paintings of Mahadev and Parvati, Krishna and Meera, Balaji and others. This is the spiritual side of me that makes me love these works even more. They are so beautifully done. And, of course, Kiran ji’s black-and-white works stand out beautifully as well,” she said.

Nidhi Choudhari, an artist herself and Director of the prestigious National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, expressed her admiration for the works, saying, “I am absolutely stunned looking at these works, especially the black-and-white works. As a painter myself, when I started painting, there were a lot of senior artists who used to advise me not to use black too much. So, as an artist, to witness so many of her works done purely in black was an experience in itself. I absolutely love these works, and I am happy to be here at this beautiful show.”

Over the past 35 years of her career, Kiran Chopra has exhibited extensively across India and internationally, with her work taking her to Russia, the UK, USA, Egypt and Dubai. Her artistic journey has also been marked by several honours, including the National Award for Best Painting by the All-India Fine Arts & Crafts Society (AIFACS), New Delhi; the Best Painting Award from Birla Art Academy, Calcutta; and Best Entry Awards from SNDT College, Mumbai, and the All-India Exhibition of Art, Shimla. Her artistic world, meanwhile, has never been confined to the canvas. Kiran Chopra is also known for her Hindi poetry, another form through which she explores emotion, relationships, women, nature and the many shades of life.

Kiran Chopra’s art exhibition Beyond the Visible will be on view at the Nehru Centre AC Art Gallery in Worli till 31st August, 2026.

By Keerti Kadam