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New Delhi
October 11, 2017
Veteran Bollywood actress and former Central Board of Film
Certification (CBFC) head Sharmila Tagore feels there are very few scripts
written keeping in mind "elderly" heroines, while the same is not true for their
male counterparts.
"So many scripts are written for elderly male actors; these things are not
happening for female actors. The girls have to be very young and the man can
carry on forever," Sharmila, 72, told IANS in telephonic interview from Mumbai.
"One has to accept that life doesn't stop there (at a young age). In my time,
life stopped at 30 or 40, but it doesn't have to because life carries on and
there are a lot of interesting phases in life which they (the audience) might
like," added the actress, who had made her acting debut at the age of 13 with
Satyajit Ray's "Apur Sansar" (World of Apu), the last in the celebrated Apu
trilogy.
She went on to receive many awards, including multiple National Awards, for her
strong portrayals in films like "Mausam" and "Abar Aranye". Her other powerful
roles include "Nirjan Saikate", "Anupama", "Kashmir Ki Kali", "An Evening In
Paris" and "Aradhana". She is also the recipient of the Padma Bhushan.
Sharmila still faces the camera once in a while, and she has observed changes in
the industry.
"When we were working, acting was not considered a very good profession.... now
that has changed. From then to now, films have become a very coveted profession
and the roles of women are getting stronger. Films like 'Piku' and 'Neerja'
being made and doing well proves that," she said.
She also feels that while the multiplex culture has helped filmmaking evolve, it
has taken away the charm of the big screen phenomenon.
"In our time, when two or three big films were ready -- for example, films of
Dilip Kumar or Raj Kapoor -- then smaller films had to wait for their release.
But now, films like 'Newton' get released, a 'Masaan' gets released and get a
good niche audience.
"The screen phenomenon that we had, that was really wonderful to see... watching
films with mixed crowds. Multiplexes don't get that because you have a very
niche, elite crowd; nevertheless it has helped filmmaking," she added.
Sharmila also noted the audience's "healthy appetite for diversity".
"In my time, heroines couldn't do a negative role, but now you can and people
accept you. So, I think, Indian films are in a very good place. Today, heroines
get to play more varied roles," she added.
The actress will be honoured with the Excellence in Cinema India Award at the
opening ceremony of the 19th edition of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival here
on October 12.
She also had a successful tenure as the head of CBFC in the past and feels there
is need for an environment where filmmakers can create content "without feeling
worried".
"The first three days of the film are very important. If there is a ban or some
kind of threat and the audience does not come to theatres, it can harm a film.
Naturally, filmmakers get very worried about the film.
"There are certain films that cannot be passed (by the censor board) and they
take precautions, but we should create an environment where people can create
films without getting worried; we should work towards freedom of speech and less
on curbing it," said Sharmila.
Focusing on certification is the best solution over censorship, she feels. "If
you feel it's very adult in content, give it an 'A' certificate. (But) allow a
film to be released without cuts," said Sharmila, adding that the current CBFC
chairperson Prasoon Joshi is "liberal" in thought.
▪ Saif's acting has improved by leaps and bounds: Sharmila Tagore