Yesteryears actresses were gold, today's are just bold: Jackie Shroff

Jun 29, 2010 IANS

New Delhi, June 29 (IANS) For Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff, old is gold! The actor believes that today's actresses pale in comparison and "lack the elegance, beauty and sensuality" of yesteryears stars.

"The new brigade of actresses lack elegance, beauty and sensuality that was instilled in yesteryears stars like Nanda or Sadhana. There is a lot of skin show happening," Jackie, 50, told IANS on the phone from Mumbai.

"They wear short dresses, show off their cleavage and think they look pretty, but it is not like that. Look at the yesteryears actresses. They used to be all covered up and even then looked beautiful," he added.

Jackie is an old hat in the industry. He made his debut in 1982 with "Swami Dada" and in a career spanning more than two decades gave hits like "Hero", "Karma", "Ram Lakhan", "Parinda", "Rangeela", "Agni Sakshi" and "Devdas". In recent times, he featured in "Eklavya", "Veer" and "Teen Patti" among others.

Apart from actresses, Jackie rues the modern-day songs too.

"The magic that the lyrics of yesteryears songs used to create seems to have been lost today. The way songs of the golden era were written are not written today. The way the lyricists used to describe the beauty of women in words is missing. They fail to strike a chord," he said.

"I feel people are also fed up of such songs. I am sure the beauty, essence and the melody of songs of the golden era would make a comeback as life is a vicious circle."

Recalling his childhood days, Jackie says he used to love watching Rajesh Khanna and Shammi Kapoor's movies.

"As I loved watching movies, I used to take my friends along to see the morning shows. We used to throw 25-50 paisa coins every time Rajesh Khanna and Shammi Kapoor used to dance on screen," he said.

Last seen in "Ek Second...Jo Zindagi Badal De" with Manisha Koirala, Jackie would soon be seen as Sai Baba in director Deepak Balraj Vij's movie "Malik Ek".

Talking about his role, Jackie said: "When I was offered this role, I was apprehensive whether I would be able to do justice to it or not. It took six months for the director to convince me. But once I got into the character and wore Sai Baba's clothes, everything looked easy.

"I didn't prepare for it at all. I could automatically walk like him and even talk like him. This role has changed my soul and perception."

Apart from "Malik Ek", Jackie is working on "Interview" and another one with Junior NTR, in which he plays a villain.

He is also making a comeback on small screen with "India's Magic Star". He will host the magic show going live Saturday on Star One.

Earlier, he hosted Bollywood-oriented shows "Lehrein" and "Missing" for Sony TV. He had also hosted a few episodes of "Chitrahaar".

"I think the child in me convinced me to take up this magic show. I have myself tried many magical tricks as a child. Moreover, we have seen many singing and dancing reality shows but this one is first of its kind. It will provide a wider platform to some of the good but unknown magicians in India."