My films sold on my name: Asha Parekh
Says yesteryear beauty Asha Parekh; adds that she wouldn't mind judging a dance reality show
Veteran Bollywood star Asha Parekh, who charmed viewers in films like Dil Deke Dekho (1959), Teesri Manzil (1966) and Kati Patang (1970) among others, is immensely happy with her journey in the industry.
Ask her what stood out the most for her and the 71-year-old actor, who was known for her dancing skills, says, “Things were very different back in the day. For me, the highlight was that my movies sold on my name. That was something quite rare back then.”
Asha Parekh has enthralled Indian audiences as one of Bollywood’s prime leading ladies for over a period of five decades. The actor will be honoured for her contribution to Indian cinema, with her hand imprint on a tile, being installed at the Walk of The Stars, Bandstand Promenade, Bandra (W). In this interview she talks about her current favourites in the industry and why she does not want to make a comeback.
Would we ever see you make a comeback?
I have worked a lot from 1959 to 2004. I really don’t want to do it anymore.
You had a successful stint on television as a producer too…
But I don’t wish to do TV anymore either. It has become very difficult. Now there are daily shows and I feel creativity gets killed in that. But I wouldn’t mind producing and even judging a dancebased reality show.
What is the one change that you have noticed in film-making over the years?
Now, everything is so technologically advanced. Even the movies have good stories and excellent directors. Well, there were fabulous directors even in our times as well. Also, I feel the corporates have come up, something that wasn’t there back then.
But do you feel actors now have a lot more pressure?
Yes, while there are more opportunities now, the stress is also much more. There’s so much pressure from the media as well. Stories and rumours are cooked up, but we faced that too. The good thing is that, there’s a whole new crop of promising actors.
Which is that one heroine you’re particularly fond of?
I like Vidya Balan. She’s very good and has that
old-school charm.
And hero?
Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan are all very good and doing well. Even the new boys are nice.