Sophia’s theme

FOLLOWING on from Malala Yousafzai, it was wonderful listening to Sophia Loren (right) on Desert Island Discs last Sunday (21).

Her music choices included one of my favourites, Lara’s Theme from Dr Zhivago, which her husband, the late Carlo Ponti, had produced.

“This is the film my husband Carlo was most proud of – he fought for the music to be in the film,” said Sophia, now 86.

She was 16 and he was 37 when they met. “He had great instinct and was a great artist. I miss him every day of my life.”

She was asked why she had rejected Cary Grant’s marriage proposal.

“Why? Because I was already engaged to Carlo. And, also, when this kind of thing happens on a set, I have always been very careful about it because a set is something and the world is something else.”

One of my Cannes highlights from 2014 was attending a “masterclass” given by Sophia. She had first come to Cannes in 1955. At one point she said, “I have never been beautiful” and spoke instead of the beauty of Indian actresses.

“We see many of your films on the Italian television – and they are very beautiful. And the actresses are lovely, beautiful, great. Yes, yes, yes!”