Yesteryears' actor Dimple Kapadia says, son-in-law Akshay Kumar is more like a son to her. In an interview to a newspaper, Dimple says, Akshay deserves a National Award.
• Why don't we see you in more films?
Well, currently I'm doing two films - Rahul Dholakia's Society and Nikhil Advani's Patiala House. But I like to have a lot of time for myself, and besides, there is a dearth of good roles.
I love playing poker, reading and painting. My candle-making business gives me decent money. But I won't tell you how my entire day is spent, since that would give away the secret of my beauty (smiles).
• You recently lost your sister Simple. How do you deal with personal tragedies and still continue working?
You can't remain in denial. Honour your commitments, accept reality and move on. Aur kya? It's not easy though.
• Rate Akshay Kumar as a son-in-law and an actor.
He is wonderful. He is more like a son to me. As an actor, he has grown with every film. I think he can do any kind of role.
• You said some time back that Akshay deserves a national award.
Yes, because he is Dimple Kapadia's son-in-law (laughs). Mazaak hai kya?
• Honey Irani was supposed to make a very interesting film with you.
Yes. But she wanted a very specific cast, which unfortunately didn't fall into place. So we never made any headway.
• What happened to the film you were supposed to do with your ex-husband Rajesh Khanna?
That too didn't happen. But I am looking forward to someone casting us together. I should do at least one film with him, otherwise I'll feel incomplete.
• What is your opinion about the new crop of actors?
I quite like them. They work very hard. They enjoy as much adulation as we did. In fact, today's heroines are more popular than we were; they have so much of media exposure. Moreover, they are getting much better roles than we got. What did we do except sing and dance most of the time? I love Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor and Tabu. Hrithik Roshan is excellent - he is miles ahead of everybody in passion and dedication.
• Do you see a lot of films?
I don't see films.
• Then how do you form your opinion about new actors?
Let's say I see selected films. Frankly, you don't need to see an entire film to make out if this one or that one has it in them or not. Ek shot dekha TV pe aur samajh mein aa jata hai. But yes, recently the scenario has changed. I am a little more regular. My nephew Karan (Simple's son) loves movies and we both go to watch films together. He is very close to me. In fact, I have changed him too. While on the computer, he keeps asking me: ‘Aunty, how do I do this? Aunty, how do I do that?'
• You and Rishi Kapoor go back a long way. Now you're working together again in Patiala House.
We are very fond of each other. You know what, Rishi and I keep talking nonsense on the sets and are constantly fighting even off it. Yesterday, he asked Randhir how many takes I needed. When Randhir told him I was like any other normal actress, he told Randhir, ‘No yaar, she is Anil Kapoor part 2' (laughs). Rishi's family is very dear to me. Even today, main Bobby ka kha rahi hoon. I haven't had a real hit after Bobby.
