Our Bubbly-Nani

Farida Jalal is one such actor who lives her roles before she performs them onscreen. She is happy to be in this industry and thanks Alla for all that the lord has given her.

Being part of movies like Khoj, Lagan, Puraskaar, Devi, Gopi, Naya Rasta, Mahal, Aradhana, Bobby, Baharon Ki Manzil, Taqdeer, to the recent flicks like Taarzan - The Wonder Car, Pyar Mein Twist and Aryan, Faridaji feels she is blessed to have such a large volume of work to her credit.

A warm person who excels in impressing everyone with her bright smile and positive talk, a brillaint actor and a wonderful person, Faridaji seems to grow younger everyday and is the sweet, chirpy, lovely lady who wins your heart, with the first word she utters. In this exclusive indya.com interview, you get more about Faridaji than just the Nani of Shararat!

Read on to know more about this actor who can win a debate and please anyone!

How did you start your career?
I was the winner of the United Film Producers Talent Hunt sponsored by Filmfare. Then, I did my first movie with Mr Bharjatiya called Takhdeer. Rajshree Productions gave me a very good break and I have been very lucky in my career!

What did you wish to be when you were growing up?
I had always dreamt of being an actress (smiles).

How was it to be very successful as an actor with movies like Bobby and Aradhana?
I must thank God for whatever he has given me! He has been very kind to me and has granted me with the cream of films… I am very lucky to have been part of movies like Bobby and Aradhana. In Aradhana, Sharmilaji was very supportive and took care of me so well. Then, I won the Best Supporting Actress award for the movie Majboor.

I drew back from movies for a while as I settled in Bangalore for almost eight years, from 1983 to 1990. It was like a comeback with the movie Henna.

The Volume of my work is very large and it is very nice to have been part of movies that I have done.

You favourite co-star in movies till date?
I can't say! There are so many of them. There is Shah Rukh, Fardeen, Salman, Ajay and more…

You have been nominated as Favourite Nani from Shararat for the STAR Parivaar awards this year. How does it feel?
It feels great. It's like the first time always... Excitement is the same, it never goes down. It is as good as being the winner. Even if someone else wins it, I would still be seated there at the awards function and chear for them, that's me!

You have been part of so many successful movies, what do you think works better for a movie to be successful?
The most important thing that always works is a very good script. Then comes everything else in the movie. The script acts as the backbone of the movie and a film seldom runs if it is wrongly scripted. Iske baad hi filmko, actors ke performances char chand lagathi hai na?

I must share with you what Mr Dilip Kumar once told me. He said first comes the script and only then can an actor overdo the script! It is like the basic foundation on which we as actors build upon.

You always portray this cheerful person with a smile on the face. People love you for acting and the way you portray the characters you play. Did you work hard on it initially?
That comes from within. When you cry, you must cry alone and when you laugh, you must always laugh with everyone around. I love to brighten the environment I am in, because that is what my parents have taught me.

Please share your experience in your initial days in the industry?
It was really smooth and I did not go through any problem as such. Thanks to the talent hunt, I got to star in Takhdeer. Then, a whole series of movies like Gopi and Aradhana came about and I enjoyed working in them. I gave my best and even today, I make sure that I give the best for every movie I do. That will continue till I die!

How were the olden days of being in movies and how is it now? Have things changed?
As far as the characters that are given to me now, I wonder why people ask me to repeat my performances again and again! I have played the role of a mother many number of times and I feel I need a change!

You tell me, can a mother do a comedy in movies? I love the way Anupam Kher portrays his roles, he is given the opportunity to experiment with his roles and gives his best performance. I envy actors like him.

The film industry needs to know that I can also play many other roles than just being a mother to the young actors (laughs)! I want to explore another dimension, all together. Actors do need some change, or else, the performance stagnates with the same dialogues.

I love to play the role of a doctor, a lawyer… There are so many characters. I played a very good role in Pyar Mein Twist. That was a nice one.

Is there more competition now among the new-comers, today? Do you think it is healthy?
Beta, the olden days are always better. As I told you, Sharmilaji took care of me so well. Now-a-days, it's more of a competition than just acting or being part of the movie.

It is not healthy and there is a lot of politics. Actors today must understand that they are here to perform…

Do we get to see you in more movies this year?
I don't know. I have one Sunny Deol production and another project in hand.

How was it to work in Shararat?
Simply great! Before signing for Shararat, I thought it was too early for me to accept the role of Nani, as I don't belong to Waheedaji's age group. I thought, itni jaldi nani ke group mein jaana? But then I accepted the role for three important reasons - primarily, it is a UTV production. Secondly, it is for STAR Plus and finally, Mr Rajiv Mehra was the maker. I thought it is the right combination and I wished to be part of it.

I thank Shararat for giving me that regonition and respect. Children run to me when they see me and I feel so nice to be with them!

Which is your favourite character in Shararat?
I like Shanti, my neighbour in the serial. I love Shruthi, she is more than a daughter to me now. It is like a family on the sets. That is the bond that has developed for more than two years. I like Manoj Bohra too, he is a well brought up child.

As the naughty and cute Nani from Shararat, what do you have to say to today's generation?
I wish I had all the magic in the world to make this a lovely place to live in. I want the kids of today to have all the happiness in the world and have fun all time.

What do you have to say to actors who can't cope with stress and attempt suicide, like Nafisa and Kuljeet...
It is such a shame! I was so depressed. I just could not come to a conclusion as to what would have been the reason for them to take up such extreme steps. They have no rights to do it. I just pray to God to bless their soul.

I always think, what let them down? Is it their life, youth, or career… Children should never be left alone. When I was young, my mom would accompany me everywhere and I was so secure. I really wonder why parents leave their children alone these days? Is it a new culture? If the parents are leaving their chiildren that freely, then they are asking for trouble!

I plead all the parents not to leave their children alone. It is my humble request.

Your idol in life...
I think it always has to be my mother and my husband. My mother has taught me the guidelines of life - Dignity, integrity and to live life to the fullest.

Your family...
Ours is a very small family. My husband passed away two years ago and I miss him…

I have a son. His name is Yaseen, which means 'the heart of Quraan'. He has finished his graduation in Film Direction. We wanted him to join Abbas Mastan's camp. But he will join their team in August. Right now, he is assisting Mohit Suri for Mukesh Bhatt's company - Vishesh films. They do atleast three movies a year and I am happy that he is with them now.

Today's best actor…
I don't wish to answer this. I can't hurt anyone!

What must an actress of today have? Glamour or talent?
It will always be talent, beta! You can say that talent will never go out of fashion! But today, there is something lacking. Somewhere, I think luck plays a very dominant role.

Your message to your fans
I love you all and I need all your love! Keep smiling always.

Divya G