Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 30, 2019)

When it comes to travelling, the everadored heroines Waheeda Rehman and Asha Parekh could give the new gen a run for their flying miles. The two inveterate travellers and foodies are about to take off to Tadoba Tiger Reserve, located close to Nagpur, next week for a six-day vacation. That will be followed by a fortnight-long trip to New Zealand in November.

In earlier years the two had holidayed with their bestie Helen, in Turkey and had gone on a Scandinavian ocean cruise. Waheeda and Asha had also flown to Canada and Alaska in the past. “I am alone and Waheeda has two children, but both of us, along with Helen, make sure to stay in touch. The three of us go out for meals and on holidays often,” says Asha Parekh, who recently united with Waheeda Rehman for a children’s reality show at a Mumbai studio. The trio has previously featured on The Kapil Sharma Show as well.

When asked about the secret of their friendship for decades, Asha responded, “Perhaps today’s generation is too competitive. We were not; we had our individual images and space. But if you ask me, I feel good when I hear friendships in Bollywood are not impossible. Sonam (Kapoor) and Jacqueline (Fernandez) do bond. I hope this tradition of camaraderie continues forever.”

Waheeda was last seen in Kamal Haasan’s 2018 film Vishwaroopam II, while Asha called it quits after producing several TV series which she also directed. Occasionally Waheeda, Helen and she can be seen at events and TV specials, bonding, confirming that friendships in show business can last a lifetime.