I always wanted to play Umrao Jaan, says actor Deepti Naval

On being asked about the role she always wanted play, Deepti said the iconic character of Umrao Jaan was something she was always interested in.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Third International Shimla Film Festival, veteran actor Deepti Naval, on Saturday, said she always wanted to play the role of Umrao Jaan.

Veteran actor Deepti Naval at the inauguration ceremony of the third International Film Festival in Shimla on Saturday. (Deepak Sansta/HT)

Recounting the yesteryear of Bollywood when platforms for art films were limited and drawing parallel with contemporary times, she said, “Today, we have the internet and various platforms have come up where one can showcase art movies.”

On being asked about the role she always wanted play, Deepti said the iconic character of Umrao Jaan was something she was always interested in.

Deepti asserted that art films are not dying. “Today there is lot of scope for such films,” she said.

“Most of my work is scattered. I am planning to showcase it through the internet,” she added.

Talking about the change that Indian cinema has undergone from the 1980’s to the present, she said, “Earlier the focus was on the strength of the subject but now cinema has become technically strong.”

“However, of late, there have been some films with unique subject,” she added.

She also inaugurated the two-day film festival that will screen 46 films from 23 countries.

The festival will also screen National Award winning film ‘Zikr us parivaash ka’ which is based on the life of Begam Akhtar, who is known for her gazals, dadra and thumri.