The gorgeous Hema Malini and the starcast of Tell Me O Kkhuda were late by over two hours for the press conference at PVR Director’s Cut, but a curt good afternoon by Ms Malini and Dharmendra’s presence broke the ice. Looking resplendent in a crimson sari with velvet appliqué work, Hema managed to salvage the situation and got straight to the point — film promotion.
Undaunted by Shah Rukh Khan’s `140 crore Ra.One, Hema clarified Tell Me O Kkhuda is not competing with King Khan’s magnum opus.
Donning a director’s cap after nearly two decades, Hema showed no signs of fatigue. Geared up for a volley of questions, she said, “I am not nervous, but excited about the release.”
Taking pride in the fact that earlier heroines’ faces were lit up by the art directors so well that it made them appear truly beautiful, she lamented that technology makes new-age stars look harsh. “Look at Madhubala, Waheeda Rahman’s face in the black and white era. Today, one cannot look at an actress for long on the screen. They look harsh. As for technology, everything is taken care of in the post-production. I was told by a few technicians that glitches are easily taken care of later, but it turns out to be quite expensive,” she said.
Directing Esha was a great experience for Hema, who revealed that it was she who advised Esha to take a break. “I never wanted Esha to pursue acting, she played football at the national level, is a very good interior designer and a wonderful classical dancer. But when she made up her mind about acting, I supported her decision. But she wasn’t getting good offers and I was planning to direct a film around the same time. I asked her to take a break and I decided to make the film with her. Who else could I have chosen except my daughter?” said the proud mother.
All praise for her daughter, Hema said Esha is a very good actor who hasn’t got her due. Commenting on the trend of item numbers in films, Hema said her film doesn’t have any. “No Munni or Sheila for me. Aajkal kaun kisi ladki ko chammak chhalo bulata hai? My film is a family entertainer,” said Hema.
Even though she produced TV series Maati Ki Banno, she says production houses are not open to a reality show based on classical dance. “I want to make a reality show on classical dance, but channel producers say nobody will watch it. Promise me an audience and I will make a film on dance,” she concluded.