‘Don’t shortchange your talent’

Preity Zinta, Actress

I think we as actresses are that much to blame, as men, if good, substantial roles don’t come our way. I, for one, knew my USP was never my body, so I never showed that off, but I still had a great career. I had the spunk to say no if I felt a script was derogatory to women, was frivolous, or it required me to expose. Even in Chori Chori Chupke Chupke where I played a hooker, I was covered. I did not mind wearing a swimsuit, but only if I were playing a swimmer or a diver, or if there was a logical reason for me to wear one. I am sure if actresses explain that to a film-maker, they will not push them.
Today everybody is ready to wear 100 gms of clothes! In doing that they are depreciating their own value and shortchanging themselves. I really wish they wouldn’t. If an actress tells a director that she is ready to wear a bikini, it may seem fine for a short time, but it kills her life as an actor and limits her to those kind of roles.
I think in some ways we are getting a little like the ‘80s where women really didn’t have to do much. I don’t understand movies now as there’s no tehzeeb nor decency. Thank god, I am not doing films in this time and era because I would have been lost.
Having said that, a performance which really stood out and touched me was Alia Bhatt’s in Highway. She was fully covered and not doing anything derogatory. Everyone says Imtiaz Ali makes very good films. Basically he makes decent films. Similarly, the late Yash Chopra is a legend because his movies are timeless because of their decency.
So there’s no set rule which says if you drop your clothes, you get a higher performance or a hit. And if all actresses put their foot down and say no to exposure, unless the role really demands it, film-makers will stop demanding them to do it. Earlier the hero in a Hindi film would fight for the honour of the heroine. Today the heroine is wearing nothing and the hero is singing a song with some terrible lyrics like Gandi baat, and doing terrible things. It makes you think where is the decency or the dignity towards woman and families? I am not passing judgements because I am outside the industry, it’s just an observation I have made.
Another film which I think will do well is Queen. Kangana Ranaut is covered from head to toe, looks endearing and her character talks about the return of innocence. My prediction is that the film will rock and Kangana is going to come back with the performance of the year.
In fact I feel sad for the younger lot as they just have to dance around trees, focus on hair, make-up, clothes and go to the gym. I really hope Alia Bhatt keeps her clothes on for another 10 years and I am sure film-makers will spend more time on the script and come up with good content for her!
FranklyI feel mature actresses like Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit Nene and Juhi Chawla are more fortunate because there are more creative opportunities for them. Different films with wonderful stories, Gulaab Gang being an example.
I remember going to see Sridevi’s English Vinglish and saw many women in the theatre crying. It made me go up to my mother and give her a hug and say that I loved her! Similarly there are so many beautiful stories to tell and ones we can we proud of.
Actresses should do films for themselves and their craft, and not to please anyone.

As told to Geety Sahgal