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This is the golden era of Indian cinema: Waheeda Rehman

Dunya News

Waheeda Rehman feels the golden era of Indian cinema was not in her day but now.

It is getting global appreciation and also evolving in terms of subjects, performances and technology, she said .Waheeda, as charming as ever at 76, also feels sorry for the younger lot who she says are burning out because of multi-taskingPeople come up to me and say that when I did films, that was the golden era, but I dont agree with that. With our films getting appreciation abroad, I feel now is the golden era, Waheeda told IANS in an exclusive interview.I feel actors burn out fast these days because they do too many things. Other than movies, they take up endorsements, stage performances, promotions, and it takes up so much of their time. I feel sorry for the fact that they have to do so muchBefore entering Hindi movies with the 1956 release C.I.D, Waheeda had been a part of successful Telugu and Tamil films like Jayasimha, Rojulu Marayi and Kaalam Maari PochuThen came unforgettables like Pyaasa, 12 OClock, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Teesri Kasam and Mujhe Jeene Do - all landmarks in Hindi cinema.Waheeda, who has spent over five decades in filmdom, in what is now commonly known asBollywood, feels the industry has changed for the better since her time.There have been a lot of good changes - be it technically, or in terms of subjects and performances. There are very good movies made like The Dirty Picture, Kahaani, Black, Paan Singh Tomar and Peepli LiveBut there is too much of uncertainty too. Movies have become very expensive and fortunately for them, within a week they get back their money. But it is not a question of money; it is also about the quality of movie, she saidWaheeda also appreciates actors for playing all kinds of roles, something that was unheard of during her heydayIn our times, even for a small negative role, people used to be like, I am a leading lady (so) how can I say this dialogue, or slap someone?, she said.She never shied away from unconventional or bold roles. Guide is a case in point. The 1965 film, in which she was paired with Dev Anand, saw her playing a dancer who walks out on her husband to pursue her dreams to be a dancerI was very different. When a scene demanded an abuse or a slap, I used to do it. Actors were always conscious about their public image. They had complexes those days, but now they dont have, which is a good thing, she said.