Onkar Kulkarni (BOMBAY TIMES; July 31, 2024)

In a career spanning 50 years, Farida Jalal played leading parts long before she gracefully transitioned to the lovable maa and dadi roles in films and TV shows. The veteran actress, who was in the news sometime ago after attending the premiere of a web show in which she featured, was surprised by the way people reacted to what they called ‘a rare appearance’ by her.

She tells us, “I don’t know why people were so surprised to see me. It’s not like I have stopped working, I have been busy with various projects. It’s just that I have been away from the public glare, but that has always been the case with me.”

‘I’m waiting for a challenging role where I can showcase my versatility’
The Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge actress is happy that today, senior actors are making a comeback and hopes that filmmakers also offer her something beyond what she has been portraying all these years. 

“I’m waiting for a challenging role where I can showcase my versatility. I feel ki chalo, ek aur maa ka role laaye, aur ek dadi ka role laaye mere liye. Same wahi sab kuch. I’m disappointed that makers don’t think I can do more than that. I want to do something exciting. My male counterparts got to do so much. From the late Amrish Puri to Anupam Kher, they played villains as well as comedians so well. They were not limited to playing only fathers or dadas on screen, but unfortunately, I have been given just one slot,” she says.

‘I have played mother and dadi to all the actors and I am happy about it’
The actress is making the most of whatever comes her way. “While I hope to get meatier roles, I am enjoying my work. I am an actor and would love to showcase more of what I can do. There is a lot I can offer, but nobody is tapping my talent. ‘Jeete raho beta, khush raho beta’ karti rahungi filmon mein. Meri mamta se koi nahi bacha hai... I keep saying that (laughs). I have played mother and dadi to all the actors and I am happy about it,” she says.

‘I will never stop working’
In 2020, Jalal was seen in the Saif Ali Khan-starrer Jawaani Jaaneman and Ittu Si Baat in 2022. She was recently seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s web series, Heeramandi. Talking about her upcoming projects, she says, “I have completed a couple of projects, including Dua Qubool and a film in which late music composer Aadesh Shrivastava’s son is making his debut. I love my work and will never quit working.”