"I love jewellery,” said veteran actress and Censor Board chairperson Sharmila Tagore, at the launch of Asha Kamal Modi’s collection at Art Karat.
Her favourite piece of jewelry, however, “is made by my daughter Saba,” a jewellery designer. Another favourite is a gold pendant given by her husband, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.
“There’s also the Pataudi signatory, which never moved from my finger till I gave it to Saif for luck. I don’t know what he’s done with it.” Tagore says she is happy for all her three children.
“Saif is a big person now. Soha and Saba are also self-reliant. I’m happy for them.” Does she see Saif earning the kind of respect and adulation she has.
“That’s for you and the audience to decide. Even if he was in a bank job, I’d have no problems. As long as he’s happy, I’m happy.”
“That’s for you and the audience to decide. Even if he was in a bank job, I’d have no problems. As long as he’s happy, I’m happy.”
Soha, on the other hand, is still in the initial stages of her career. What kind of guidance does she give her?
“I don’t give her any tips as such. After seeing the film, I can tell Soha that I liked a particular film, shot, scene. Before that, I can’t tell her how she should act. That’s the director’s job.”
On the sensitivity of her role as Censor Board chief, she said, “Having been in the industry for so long, I’ve been involved with the audience, seen their reaction to my performances, marriage, becoming a mother. There’s a lot of goodwill, I understand their minds now. I think it’s essential to be in films to be a censor...to understand the compulsions and workings of the Censor Board.”
Of late, she has been criticised for bringing about the 300 per cent hike in censorship charges.
“The last time they changed the fee was about 20 years ago. So it’s not that much. Whether we increase by 300 or 500 per cent, it’s absolutely right. And we’re going to do that. I’m not worried about criticism. It’s a democratic country and people are free to have their opinion,” said the actress who will soon be seen in Eklavya.
hiren.kotwani@hindustantimes.com