Actress and dancer Hema Malini during her visit to Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

lHow does it feel to be back in Bhubaneswar?

I have always loved this city. I used to stay here for a few weeks at a stretch during my training of Odissi from my revered guru Kelucharan Mohapatra. I miss him whenever I come here.

But it is always a great pleasure to be here.

lYou keep busy with politics these days. Do you still find time for dance?

I was first introduced to Bharatnatyam before entering films or politics. I will always find time for dance.

But at the same time, I take great interest in politics and I love balancing time between all these fields.

We do not see as much classical dance in Hindi films as it used to be earlier. What is your take on this?

It is true that classical dance has almost vanished from Bollywood. I liked the short piece that Vidya Balan did in Bhool Bhulaiya. And the sequences in Devdas were of course beautiful.

But until the story demands, they do not try to bring in classical dance these days since the viewers are more fascinated towards modern dance forms such as contemporary and hip-hop and even the distinct Bollywood style.

Even I love to watch some of these forms. I feel it all depends on what the audience wants.

How do you think Indian cinema has grown over the years?

It has evolved into a great industry all over the country. Bollywood is growing really fast with the budgets becoming higher and higher just like the returns.

The best part is that our films are gaining popularity across the globe, especially our music.

We saw Esha in Tell Me O Kkhuda – your last directorial venture. Would we see Ahana in films?

Right now I am happy for Esha’s marriage and about the fact that she lives very close to our house. So, we meet daily. I am a lucky mother that way.

Neither have I any plans to direct anything so soon nor does Ahana plan to get involved in acting or filmmaking.

What is your message to young dancers and actors?

We must all try to dedicate ourselves to anything we love and make a mark in our field so that people remember us long after we are gone.