National Award winner Rohini Hattangadi, among others, on lack of work for actresses of a certain age
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 8, 2017)

Fifty eight-year-old National Award-winning actress Neena Gupta, last seen in the Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover horror-drama Alone in 2015, recently posted on Instagram, “I live in Mumbai and working am a good actor looking for good parts to play.” While social media users lauded the actress for her candour and courage and rightfully so, Mirror reached out to her seniors, contemporaries and predecessors to learn some ground realities:

Rohini Hattangadi (66)
Last seen in: Sarkar 3 (2017)
I’m not getting good roles in Hindi films. Even earlier, when I was playing the mother, only one out of 10 characters was interesting. I’ve never accepted roles just to fill my day, but in a commercial space, you can’t get too choosy. Out of sight is out of work. Ramu (Ram Gopal Varma) with whom I’d done Raat, and one scene in Shiva, suddenly called me out of the blue to offer Sarkar 3. Film roles are few and far between.

Recently, in the guise of a look test, they wanted me to do an audition for a TV show. I walked out. Earlier, we had secretaries to shop for good roles. Now, you have casting agents. When they call, I insist that the producer get in touch. We’re not the only ones losing out on work, they are also losing out on talent. Thank God I have my Marathi and Gujarati plays, along with Tamil and Telugu films.


Himani Shivpuri (56)
Last seen in: Wedding Pullav (2015)
They are giving good roles to Sridevi because she was a heroine but character artistes like Neena Gupta and I, who are from National School of Drama and have been around the film industry for years, are hungry for good roles. Television is no longer interesting after the advent of the daily soaps but I’m forced to take up such offers as I’m a workaholic.

I entered Bollywood in the ’90s and had no illusions about playing the lead. While filming Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge I lost my husband and had to bring up my son alone. Fortunately, I’d made a niche for myself with films like Hero No 1 and Biwi No 1 so we survived. But suddenly, the roles started to dry up but I haven’t lost hope. Meryl Streep is still working and Jessica Tandy bagged an Oscar at 80, so why should Himani Shivpuri despair? Maybe the digital platform will offer me work now.


Sulbha Arya (70+)
Last seen in: Ventilator (2016)
I’ve never been competitive. Today I’m over 70 and with so many young actors willing to play old characters, it’s got tougher. I pick up roles that don’t require too many days of work. I joke with youngsters that while they sit at home, I get to play the dadi or the nani even if the footage is short.


Archana Puran Singh (54)
Last seen in: Dolly Ki Doli (2015)
It takes b***s of steel to do what Neena did and shows that when it comes to work, an artiste is always greedy and bold. There aren’t too many roles for middle-aged and elderly actresses. During the Dolly Ki Doli promotions, I was told that I am going be flooded with roles after the release but I had told the person interviewing me that not a single role will come my way. I’ve recently finished a film and am also doing another comedy show… The hunger for good work remains is still to be sated though.


Renuka Shahane (50)
Last seen in: Highway Ek Selfie Aarpar (2015)
After you’ve done excellent work, you look forward to satisfying projects but that’s not happening on TV. I haven’t done many Hindi films anyway but I am open to something different. I’m getting offers but I have young children and have to keep their requirements in mind. It was okay to have a personal life before. Today, profession overshadows everything. When my kids grow up and start college, I will be free. Then, maybe in my quest for good work I too will put up an Instagram post like Neenaji who once had ruled TV.


Aruna Irani (70)
Last seen in: TV soap SauBhagyalaxmi (2016)
Yes, there is a dearth of good roles in films and that’s because they are not being written. I’m selective about the work I do. Fortunately, I’m getting good roles in television and I am happy with them.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 19, 2017)

Their new movie may not spark off social change in the country’s education system, but Shabana Azmi and Juhi Chawla hope it will at least make you spare a thought for your teacher
Aastha Atray Banan (MID-DAY; January 10, 2016)

Actresses Shabana Azmi and Juhi Chawla laugh and exchange notes about what’s been happening as they pose for photos at a suburban five- star, a week before the release of their film, Chalk n Duster. The two play teachers, considered outdated and old fashioned, and thrown out by an evil headmistress (played by Divya Dutta), hired to modernise the school. “It’s not really an issue-based film, but one about two teachers trying to regain their dignity and status. It’s a human story,” says Azmi, who plays the older and wiser Vidya, while Juhi plays Jyoti, the younger, impulsive one.

The film is directed by debutant director Jayant Gilatar, and written by husband and wife duo Ranjeev Verma and Neetu Verma. “I read the script at one go. It was surprising and moving, and, above all, uplifting.
That’s why I said yes,” says Chawla flashing her brilliant smile, “This story speaks of an issue, like education, in an entertaining way. It was speaking of what happens behind the scenes at schools, and how it’s becoming more businesslike. It gripped my attention completely.”

For Azmi, apprehension turned into a yes when she met Juhi. “I saw her enthusiasm and involvement. She was willing to take ownership of the movie, and that attracted my attention,” says Azmi, sipping on a glass of hot water.

They both did realise that the job of a teacher wasn’t easy. And preparing for their roles took some consideration. “I had never seen the teacher other than as a person who tells you what to do and gives you homework, but she has her own world, her own problems,” says Juhi, “I had no clue how to prepare.
I thought I’d meet the writer, who is also a teacher, but that didn’t happen. Eventually, I just went to drop my kids at school and would sit in the car and watch their teachers and read their body language.”

For Azmi it was easier, as she based the character on her sister-in-law Sulbha Arya, also a theatre and film actress who has appeared in movies like Kal Ho Na Ho, and who was once a teacher. “I have watched her marking papers and carrying books, and working. So, for me, I had a ready made example.” It’s a small movie with a small budget, but that made no difference to the two acclaimed actresses.

All they want is that everyone comes to the halls. “It’s made simply, and the takeaway is the reaffirmation of the human, in an elevating, feel good way. It will kindle that warmth in you towards the teacher who made you the person you are today, but you were too young to give credit to then. At no point am I even thinking of competing with the big films, we are just hoping that we get some word-of-mouth traction,” says Azmi.

It’s a relevant film as well, and could shed light on what a good teacher “ should” be like. “I come from a family which feels that art should serve a social purpose, but not every movie is binding to it. I believe art has the possibility of creating a climate of sensitivity where change can occur,” says Azmi.

“Seeing a movie about Gandhi doesn’t mean you behave like Gandhi. But aapki mitti thodi geeli hoti hai. And there is sensitivity, and that is the maximum a work of art can do.” Juhi agrees, “If you leave someone with an idea, it definitely grows in them. You can’t force a thought on someone, but gently suggest it to them. but That’s what this film will do."