Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore, who turned 73 on Friday, says her days are fuller than she can cope with because even though she is not seen on the big screen much, cinema has never been her be-all and end-all.

Excerpts from an interview:

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How does it feel to turn 73?

Just like any other day. I don’t allow myself to think about my age. Fortunately, there is plenty to be done. My days are fuller than I can cope with. And I like it that way.

How would you be spending your birthday?

Well, there is a wedding in a very close family friend’s home. I’m going to be participating on December 7 and 8. So my birthday will be merged in the nikaah ceremony of the couple.

So the cake cutting and birthday song during the nikaah?

(Laughs) No, no, none of that. I don’t believe in all that. Cakes and parties are for Taimur and Inaaya (grandchildren). I am just happy to be healthy, alive and active.

But your family and friends would want a party?

We had an elaborate party for my 70th birthday. We will have another party for my 75th, if I live to be 75.

Sadly, we don’t see much of you on the screen these days?

This is not something peculiar to me. It happens to all actresses beyond a certain age in our cinema. Even Madhuri Dixit, who is a lot younger, has not done anything much in spite of ‘Dedh Ishqiya’. Whereras the rules are different for Mr (Amitabh) Bachchan. He has directors like Shoojit Sircar calling him ‘Sir’ and writing roles for him.

He has worked hard to be where he is.

I mean, Mr Bachchan is definitely an icon. But the rules are different for the actresses. I believe Ribhu Dasgupta’s film ‘Te3n’ was a remake of a Korean film. The original female protagonist has been turned into a male to accommodate Mr Bachchan. Who does these things for female actors in Hindi cinema?

But then, on the other hand, who would go to see ‘Pink’ if Mr Bachchan didn’t play the lawyer. Cinema does reflect the reality in society. And I suppose in films they feel they cannot give a woman a role where she is so much in charge of the characters of the plot. In regional films, the rules are different though. Older female characters do get to play substantial roles.

But older actors too are sidelined, besides Mr Bachchan?

That’s because of age and health. Rajesh Khanna and now Shashi Kapoor passed away. Dharmendra continues to be so much in demand in spite of his age. He is such a good human being. I guess there are some important personality traits common to people born on December 8.

Yes indeed he shares his birth date with you?

(Laughs) Indeed, he does. Dharamji has worked enough, done enough. He has earned this phase of retirement. I must tell you, Dharamji remains exceptionally popular everywhere. I was in Pheonix (US) recently. And I was asked about him everywhere. Everyone dotes on him there. There is a lot of goodwill for Dharamji. The same goes for my other favourite co-star Shashi Kapoor. They’ve both done a lot for the film industry. They will leave behind a great legacy.

Do you miss being on screen?

I don’t think so. I’ve never believed in being single-mindedly focused on my film career. Of course, I love acting and when I do a film, I give all of myself. But cinema is not my be-all end-all. In that sense, I am a bit of an accidental actress. I am interested in so many things. My work with the Unicef, NGOs… I like to stand up for whatever I believe in.

How did you manage to hold your own in such a fiercely patriarchal film industry, doing female-oriented films like Anupama, Aradhana, Amar Prem and Charitraheen at a time when hero was king?

Those times were different. The directors had more of a say. And the actors were very respectful of directorial impulses. Not that today a Sanjay Leela Bhansali has any less of a say. I really don’t know how or why some of my best Hindi films came after marriage. But even Vidya Balan has been able to hold her own in spite of marriage.

But not like you?

I think what went in my favour is that I didn’t withdraw from other activities after I married Tiger. I engaged with life. The quality of my work matters. And I do whatever I like. And I’ve never isolated myself from the real world. Even when I was working as a leading lady, I didn’t restrict my interaction to the people I worked with. If today some public figures like to isolate themselves being surrounded by bouncers, I say that’s their choice. One can mingle with people without the danger of losing one’s privacy. I mean, I still can’t go to Lodi Garden for a picnic. But I can meet the people I want.

And yet there is unapproachable aura about you?

I have always wanted a normal life. I wanted to meet people from all walks of life even when I was working on the sets , and I made sure I did. In our times, we saw India through our work. We shot in places like Meghalaya and Kashmir where there were no 5-star hotels those days. Today’s generation doesn’t get a chance to see the real India.

You were regarded as quite elitist among the heroines?

I missed talking and reading in Hindi. I was the only one who would speak in English on the sets. But now everyone speaks in English. Even the Hindi dialogues are written in English. I guess our cinema has become more globalised. Most heroines are seen in gowns at award functions. Some of us still prefer the sari. I think it’s desirable to stay in touch with our roots.

And now you eldest grandchild is getting ready for stardom?

Yes, Sara is all set to be an actor. How beautifully she has grown! She went to Columbia University. Now she wants to an actor. She is a clever girl.