Sheeba is returning to films in a full-fledged role after nearly two decades. The artiste, who once shared screen with actors Rajinikanth, Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, has two films lined up — Fateh and filmmaker Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani.

Sheeba, who has films such as Suryavanshi (1992), Miss 420 (1998) and Dum (2003) to her credit, tells us, “At one point, filmmakers either wanted an 18-year-old heroine or an 80-year-old mother. I wasn’t sitting in either spectrum. Secondly, nobody offered me roles [that were] tempting enough to do.”

The actor is glad that unlike in the ’90s, when the industry was highly dominated by heroes and the heroines, things have changed now. “Earlier, there was no importance given to other characters. But now, each and every role is equally essential to the project. Now, if the hero does not want me as his heroine, there is another important part,” she says, adding that people have realized one man can no longer shoulder a project.

Another distinct change that has come about in the industry, Sheeba says, is the fact that people on sets are well prepared, with their homework done. “That’s what I saw on Karan Johar’s set as well as the Sonu Sood movie (Fateh). They have done so much background work. In terms of technicalities, they are so much more aware. The craft of acting has also changed. They (makers) want you to be subtle, natural and softer. The way they present the characters has also changed. The movies are larger than life, but the characters are more relatable [now],” she wraps up.