Veteran actor Asha Parekh is not on social media, unlike a few of her contemporaries. Ask her why, and she says, “I don’t like it! Neither do I want to experiment.” 

The Padma Shri recipient believes there is an overdose of social media but admits that informing fans about almost everything about one’s life is detrimental to stars’ popularity these days: “Because of all of this, there is far too much exposure. If you are not seen much in public, people are inquisitive about you.”

When it comes to the difference between yesteryear’s stars and today’s, Parekh, who has several classics to her credit — Teesri Manzil (1966), Kati Patang (1971) and Caravan (1971), among others — says that today’s leading ladies are often criticized for lacking charm and grace, but she believes, “It’s not grace that these girls lack. I just don’t think they innovate enough. For example, if they even dress up differently from others, they would not all look the same.”

The veteran shares that she is “still passionate about films” and wants to “work more”. She also enjoys it when people still praise her and her peers on their work. “It’s very encouraging. I feel very happy about it. I hope people remember me and continue to like me till I live,” concludes the 79-year-old.