Draped in a bright orange saree, veteran actor Asha Parekh brought her trademark elegance and warmth to Nagpur on Wednesday. The city, however, is not new to her. She has been visiting Nagpur since she was eight years old, as her aunts were married here. Returning after long, she spoke about her childhood connection with the city, the many changes she has witnessed in Hindi cinema and the importance of keeping classical music alive. During a meet-the-press interaction at a hotel on Wardha Road, the veteran actress looked back at the industry that has changed considerably since she started her career. From filmmaking and music to fashion, dance and work schedules, she has seen different eras come and go. Parekh reflected on how Hindi cinema has changed over the years, saying that change is inevitable and every era brings its own style. From filmmaking and storytelling to music, dance and fashion, the industry has never remained the same. Having been part of Hindi cinema for decades, she has seen these shifts from close quarters and believes one has to move with time.

 

While certain trends come and go, she believes that good storytelling and music are important to cinema. Parekh also spoke about the disparity in pay between male and female actors. “Women may play leading roles on screen, but they are not paid at par with their male counterparts,” she lamented. The yesteryear star also recalled how she was once labelled a ‘glamour girl’, with her image largely associated with dance and appearance. Her performance in Raj Khosla’s Do Badan (1966), alongside Manoj Kumar, helped her move beyond that label and gain recognition for her acting. The glamour of cinema also came with a demanding routine.

 

The versatile actress fondly recalled the demanding routine of shooting from 9 am to 6 pm, followed by ballet rehearsals until 11 pm, and spoke about how she is now enjoying a more relaxed phase of life after years of such hectic schedules. Asha Parekh was accompanied by renowned chef Vishnu Manohar and singer Niranjan Bobde during the interaction.