Actors like Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone and Sonakshi Sinha entered Bollywood riding on the shoulders of much older and popular stars. Veteran actor Hema Malini believes it helps in getting an instant boost in the career.
“Actors normally work with older actors because they are so popular. Working with older actors boosts your career. If you work with young and new actors, then it takes a lot of time to climb up the ladder. So it’s very fast growth for the heroine,” the 64-year-old said.
Deepika and Anushka made their Bollywood debut opposite Shahrukh Khan with Om Shanti Om and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, respectively, while Sonakshi forayed into filmdom in a role opposite Salman Khan.
Citing her own example, Hema said, “Even when I entered the industry with Sapno Ka Saudagar (1968), it was with Raj [Kapoor] sahib. Raj Kapoor was a very big actor and age wise, he was much older than me.”
Meanwhile, Hema is confident that the Deols upcoming production Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, will be a success; it stars Hema’s husband-actor Dharmedra and their sons Sunny and Bobby Deol.
“I loved the promo of Yamla Pagla Deewana 2. They had showed it to me first and I am confident that the film will work,” Hema said.
A sequel to the 2011-hit Yamla Pagla Deewana, the film is scheduled to release June 7. It also features young actor Neha Sharma and newcomer Kristina Akheeva.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 10th, 2013.
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