Heroines are no longer playing glam dolls: Shabana Azmi

Actor Shabana Azmi (right) is quite impressed with the kind of roles played by heroines in films today. She says, in the past, heroines were merely adding glamour to films, and the scenario has completely changed today. “Earlier, girls were only playing glamour dolls on screen. There is a shelf life for that — at 30, her career is over. But today there are female actors who are 36-37 years [old] and are getting good parts. It’s a long way from being perfect, but a start has been made. Female actors are recognising the worth of doing good work. You need to slip into supporting parts and that can happen if you are playing substantial roles. If you only play the glamour doll and you want to cling on to the image, then it will be difficult. But if you don’t, you will prolong your career,” says Shabana.

The 66-year-old actor says the present crop of female actors is doing well. “Look at

Anushka Sharma (far right), I am impressed with her. She is producing films at the peak of her career and both the films are so unconventional. Look at Vidya Balan — the brave choices, which she has made as an actor. The kind of roles Alia Bhatt is doing, too, are wonderful,” she says.

“Acting itself is changing. This change is because of the advent of the casting director. Earlier, there would be stock characters, who would be seen in every film. Now casting directors are bringing fresh faces,” adds Shabana, who was last seen in filmmaker Aparna Sen’s Sonata.

PHOTO: YOGEN SHAH