‘Heroines have a better chance today’

Sharmila Tagore feels that times have changed for leading ladies

Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore says that actors, especially the leading ladies, have a better chance, unlike earlier times, in the film industry.

“During our times, it was nothing better than a good cry. We had to all look helpless... So, I think these people (heroines today) are having much more fun,” Sharmila says when asked if she sees any difference between the actors back then and now.

Sharmila, 72, adds that the life of a heroine during her time was not exciting. “Heroines (then) couldn’t be bad, so Helen had all the fun... heroine’s life wasn’t all that exciting... today’s heroines have a much better chance,” she says.

The Amar Prem (1972) actor says that maintaining a continuity then was difficult. “We were working in three or four films at a time. So, maintaining continuity was difficult, because today, Aamir Khan can put on and lose weight. But we couldn’t do all that,” she says.

In her illustrious career spanning over five decades, Sharmila has starred in films like Aradhana (1969), Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973) and An Evening In Paris (1967).

Sharmila, who debuted in Hindi films with Kashmir Ki Kali, has received two National Film Awards. She led the Central Board of Film Certification between 2004 and 2011.

Talking about the films that she’s fond of, Sharmila says, “I like Safar (1970) and Mausam (1975). People really like Amar Prem and Aradhana (1969). The shelf life of these films is still there. But my favourites are Safar and Mausam.”

About her favourite co-star, she adds, “I liked Shashi (Kapoor) very much. He’s a friend. Of course, with Rajesh Khannaji, I gave several hits, and [I like] Dharmendra too.”

HT PHOTO Sharmila Tagore won the National Film Award for Best Actor for Gulzar’s 1975 film, Mausam