My tears have all dried up, I laugh at every adversity – Reena Roy

You were massive star in the 1970s. Somehow you didn’t get the recognition that you deserved?

You think so? I was just working working like crazy. I never stopped to think about what I deserve etc etc. Jo mila main usse khush thi(I was happy with what I got). Now I am fully into looking after my home and my daughter. I am not a multi-tasker.I did more than a hundred films in the 70s and 80s. Now I am into my household.

Which are your favourite films from your own repertoire?

I like J Om Prakashji’s Asha and Rajkumar Kohli’s Nagin the most. Nagin gave me a chance to play the avenging hero. I killed so many heroes in that film.As for Sheesha it is my most recognized film.

The songs that Lataji sang for you, like ab ke sawan mein jee jare Ja re ja o harjaee, Sheesha ho ya dil ho, Pardes jaake pardesia played a huge part in shaping your career.

Oh huge huge! When Lataji sang for me I had to do nothing but follow her voice. Even today I am known by her song Sheesha ho ya dil ho aakhir toot jata hai. It became the signature tune of my career.

What about your life, does the song also reflect the truth about your life?

My tears have all dried up. Now I laugh at every adversity.

Let’s talk about your sudden retirement.Did you quite because of marriage and motherhood?

My daughter, of course mattered more than my career. Also, I had started very young and I was exhausted and satiated. I decided to take a break to look after my daughter.

Is your daughter with you?(Her father is the Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan)

Yes yes, shukar Mata Rani ki.My daughter is now 26.She is talented. And yes she is interested in acting. But she won’t wear a bikini and do kissing scenes. I never did. And she feels no need to.She is not conservative. She is very much a girl of today.But she doesn’t believe doing certain things will make a difference to her career.

She is right. So your daughter got a mother we lost a lovely actress?

It is all destiny and I very happy with my decision to take a break.

Do you watch your films?

I do, and I keep remembering what happened behind the scene during this scene and that, and I keep laughing. But it’s not as if I am obsessed with seeing myself on screen. Do I like myself on screen? I was very innocent very mischievous. Now I am a mother. So things are different. My films seem like a different era. But yes, I am still little naughty.

Life’s experiences haven’t changed you?

Badalke karenge kya? Aatma toh wohi rehti hai. Times change,people don’t . I guess I was chosen to be a name in my field, just like you are.I worked very hard to get where I did. Horse riding at 5 am then rushing to dancing classes with Gopi Krishnaji. But I never went to a gym. I’ve never seen one.

Your philosophy of life?

Never look back. Keep moving. Fulfil your responsibilities. I am very attached to my family.My sister Barkha used to look after all my work and she was my constant companion on the sets, bodyguard type.

Any more ambitions?

I want to see my daughter settled in life. No other ambitions I want my selected friends to remain healthy.

Who are your friends?

Very few. Like Mumtazji. She is so lovely.I have done only one film with her Nagin. And yet we are close.

Any chance of a comeback?

After marriage I did J P Dutta’s Refugee ,and J Om Prakash’s Aadmi Khilona Hai which didn’t run. The subject was powerful but the execution got diluted. I would like to do something powerful . Aise hi thali pakad ke nahin khadi honi chahiye(I don’t want to stand around holding a plate).

You are not seen in public?

I don’t socialize. I never did. Even when I was working I never went to parties. My mother always said, ‘Bandd mutthi toh lakh hi khul gayi toh phir khaak ki.’ The public is interested in you only if you remain out of the public eye. Would you believe, I never did any ads in my heydays.

Are you happy with your life and career?

Very happy. I am thankful to the one above for what he has given me. I can’t understand how I got the fame and popularity that I did. When someone like you says such nice things only then I stop to think that perhaps I have achieved something.

Did you have crazy fans?

Haan bilkul. There were letters written in blood. And fans threatening to commit suicide in front of my home if I didn’t meet them.

What did you do with such insistent fans?

My family and team would take care of them. I was scared to face fanatical fans.Suppose they pounced on me? There were out of towners from distant places like Punjab. They would be fed, given money to return home.