Padmini on a role

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Yesteryear actress Padmini Kolhapure who featured in some big Bollywood hits during her heydays is making a Bollywood comeback as Shahid Kapoor’s mother in Phata Poster Nikhla Hero. As we catch up with the actress, she informs us that she is on her way to meet her sisters Shivangi and Tejaswini, whom she is known to share a close bond with. She says, “The three of us are very close and what makes life easier for us is that we live not too far away from each other. We are constantly in touch and try to catch up over lunch or dinner. Even our children share a close bond.”
Speaking about children in the family Padmini says that she is proud of the success her niece Shraddha Kapoor has achieved in the industry. She says, “It was evident that she would be successful. She is a brilliant actor, and is gorgeous. Her previous two films didn’t fare well but I told her “you will be noticed when time comes.” In Aashiqui 2 both the boy and girl (Aditya Roy Kapoor and Shraddha) were fabulous. Everything worked well for them. I am happy that Shraddha still has her head on her shoulders. Her mom has brought her up well. We follow typical Maharashtrian culture at home. Even during my days in the industry, I was never treated as star. It’s the same for Sharddha, now my son plans to enter films too.”
With success comes rumours and in Shraddha’s case she is already being linked to co-star Aditya Roy Kapoor. The duo is said to be dating. She was also in the news for apparently refusing to work with older actors. Padmini clears the air saying, “I have advised her to be practical, follow her heart and try to get into least controversies. These days you really can’t help it. In Shraddha’s case, her actors are all so young and they interact all the time that linkups are inevitable. I told her that’s all part of the game.”
The actress says that though she may not be as active in films as before, she is fond of watching the newer lot of actors perform. She is all praise for onscreen son Shahid Kapoor’s films too. “I enjoy watching actors like Shahid Kapoor. Ranbir Kapoor is also good. They deserve all the success; they are so dedicated. Among Shahid’s films I enjoyed Kaminey and Jab We Met.”
Having been a part of the industry for years now, ask her what changes she sees in Bollywood and she smiles as she says, “Actors are far more professional now. We were a bit relaxed as far as timing was concerned, though we worked hard. Nowadays time is money, so you can’t waste it.”
The actress goes on to admit that besides Bollywood, Marathi films have a special place in her heart. “Being a Maharashtrian, Marathi films are special to me. Whenever I meet any Maharashtrians they still talk about my role in Chimani Pakhar. I would love to do more Marathi cinema.”
As of now it is her film Phata Poster Nikhla Hero that the actress is excited about. “I am mainly excited to work with director Rajkumar Santoshi who has made brilliant films. He came in just when I had quit Bollywood so I never got to work with him. Although I play a mother, mine is a pivotal character who is very bindaas and wants to see her son’s dreams fulfilled.” Sharing some memories from the shoot she says, “There is a hospital scene which is very emotional. Raj when reading the scene to me and Shahid got so involved, that he had tears in eyes. That helped me get the required emotions. Actors get motivated seeing their director so involved in the film.”