Men still dominate film industry but women have done better work, says Asha Parekh in Nagpur

Veteran actress and Padma Shri recipient Asha Parekh has said that men continue to dominate the Indian film industry. She added that, despite this, women artistes have travelled a very long way on the strength of their hard work, courage and talent.

According to Parekh, today's women artistes are doing even better work than their male counterparts. She was in Nagpur to attend a programme organised by the Shivaji Maharaj Smriti Samiti, where she spoke to journalists.

In the conversation, she spoke about her film career, her different roles and the moments spent with the artistes she worked alongside. She also spoke openly about the changes that have come to the film industry, and shared several memories of the golden period of her acting career.

Speaking of her old ties with Nagpur, Parekh said she has visited the city many times before, so it is not new to her. As a child, she had stayed here for a long time on the occasion of her maternal aunt's wedding.

During this visit to Nagpur, she also offered prayers at the Jagdamba Temple in Koradi and the Sai Temple on Wardha Road.

The friendship of Waheeda Rehman, Helen and Asha Parekh has always been much discussed in the film world. Asked about it, Parekh said that during their careers all three were extremely busy with their own work, and there were few chances to sit together for long conversations.

She said things are different now that they have stepped back from films. Whenever they get the chance, the three meet and talk at length. Their deep friendship, she said, endures even today.

Having lived in Maharashtra for a long time, Parekh has developed a special fondness for Marathi plays. She said she does not watch many Marathi films, but watches Marathi plays with great relish. She has a special attraction to Marathi theatre.