Farida Jalal on uttering the cuss word in O’Romeo, “It’s about time I got rid of my goody-goody image” : Bollywood News

The veteran actor Farida Jalal has regaled audiences for almost 60 years with her performances as characters from many generations, from the school girl to the leading lady, then to the mother and now the grandmother.

Farida Jalal on uttering the cuss word in O'Romeo, "It's about time I got rid of my goody-goody image"

Farida Jalal on uttering the cuss word in O’Romeo, “It’s about time I got rid of my goody-goody image”Known for her mischievous smile and childlike demeanour, Farida has shocked her fans by using an abusive Hindi word in Vishal Bhardwaj’s new film O’Romeo.

Responding with a glorious giggle, the 76-year veteran actor said, “It’s about time I got rid of the goody-goody image. Somehow, I am always cast as angelic sweet characters, whether it was my first film Taqdeer in 1967 or the mother in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge or the grandmother in Student Of The Year. But I am surprised the one word has provoked so much reaction. It shows people still love me, ha na?”

In 2024, Farida Jalal played an unconventional Muslim grandmother in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi.

Said the actress, “The first thing I asked Sanjayj i was, ‘How would I fit into Heeramandi (the kotha)?’. He assured me I was not part of the kotha. That I was a Beghum in an affluent family outside. He wanted me to play Qudsia Begum with a glass of wine in one hand and a cigarette in the other. I frankly told Sanjay ji I have never held a cigarette in my hand. I don’t know how to. I’ve always drawn a line of decorum for myself. To his credit, Sanjay dropped the idea of the wine and cigarette and let me play the role my way. Luckily, people have liked what I’ve done. I’ve always been fortunate to get people’s love in whatever I do.”