Farida Jalal Seeks Challenging Roles in Bollywood

Veteran actress Farida Jalal has expressed her disappointment with the limited roles offered to her in Bollywood, primarily being typecast as a mother or grandmother. Recently praised for her performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s series 'Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar', Jalal voiced her desire for more challenging roles that showcase her versatility, similar to opportunities given to her male counterparts like Anupam Kher and the late Amrish Puri. In an interview with the Times of India, she lamented that filmmakers often see her as only capable of playing traditional roles, saying, 'I’m disappointed that makers don’t think I can do more than that.' Despite her gratitude for past roles, Jalal yearns for characters that allow her to explore a broader range of emotions and stories. She remains active in the industry, with several new projects on the horizon, but is hopeful for a shift in the types of roles offered to senior female actors.