Mala Sinha wishes to be heroine of today

Yesteryear Bollywood star Mala Sinha says she would have loved to be a heroine in present times as the film industry has taken a huge leap technologically since her days.

The 76-year-old actress ruled the marquee in the 50s and 60s with her disarming smile, charm and performances.

"I think the change (in the film industry) is for good. In our times film making process was slow. Today technology has improved a lot. I wish Mala would have been heroine of today's times then it would have been fun. We would have all used to get to jump and fly and do lots of other things," Ms Sinha said here at the press conference of Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Awards, last night.

Another reason why Sinha wants to be a part of the industry today are the awards.

"I see awards on TV, every week there is some award function happening. We used to get award rarely.. We used to wait to get Filmfare award. But today there are so many awards.. I wish I was heroine today and you all would see me getting award on every channel," she said.

The veteran worked in Hindi, Bengali and Nepali films. Recognised for her talent and beauty, she went on to become a popular leading actress in Hindi films from the early 1950s until the late 1970s.

Mala Sinha has starred in over a hundred films including Pyaasa (1957), Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Dil Tera Deewana (1962), Gumrah (1963), Himalaya Ki God Mein (1965), Aankhen (1968) and others.

She feels fortunate and lucky to be part of the industry which welcomed her with open arms.

"If film industry would not have been there then we all artists also wouldn't be here. This film industry is God to us... It gave us name, fame, love of audience. I feel my talent wouldn't have come out if this film industry did not exist," she added.

Sinha started her journey as a child artist and played an innocent kid in numerous Bengali films namely Jog Biyog and Dhuli.

Walking down the memory lane, she said, "When I went to the studio for the first time I was disheartened. It was like a godown where you store groceries and etc, I was like how can one work here. When I entered a little inside I saw a nice mahal, beautiful furniture... It looked wonderful. On the first day of the shoot, I did not come to know when the camera started rolling and when it all got over."

"I did what directors asked me to do. I worked in a bindaas way, without thinking of camera. I think acting comes naturally no one can teach you," she added.

Sinha will be conferred with the Phalke Icon Cine Artist Award for her devoted services to Indian film industry at the award ceremony on April 30.

"I am feeling great, I am happy that I can't explain. I feel lucky and fortunate to get this prestigious award from Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Awards Cine and TV association. I am thankful to them," she said.