Esha Deol reveals why Hema Malini feels the situation of married Bollywood actresses is better now – CB exclusive

Esha Deol has the glow of imminent motherhood, and the praise she received for her performance in her recently released short film Cakewalk. The film on women empowerment and the choices women make and the consequences they endure has impressed one and all. The film released recently on Rishtey Cineplex and it has been a hit. Esha talks to us about movies, motherhood and much more. Here are a few excerpts…

CineBlitz: Radhya is just 14 months old. Another baby is coming soon. And in between the two babies, you seem to have managed to do a film?

Esha Deol: It is all happening spontaneously, by the grace of God. I was pregnant with Radhya when Ramkamal had come to me with the script. At that time, being pregnant, I was not sure I wanted to do a script like he had. He came back a couple of months later with another one. By then, Radhya was just born and I liked Cakewalk a lot. I found that it had a lot in common with many women today, going through these issues. A lot of actors are addressing these kind of issues very openly today.

It was nice, short and sweet. Being a new mother, the time I could devote to the film was fitting well within my schedule, even though we shot in Kolkata. That’s why I say having a good support system around you is important. I’ve been blessed that my in-laws and my parents were there to be with baby, if I went for a couple of days. I also ensured that Bharat was here at that time. And my mother babysat Radhya along with Bharat when I was shooting for the film in Kolkata.

CB: Maternal satisfaction and an outlet to express creative satisfaction must have felt good?

Esha Deol: I only took up the film because the character of Chef Shilpa Sen resonated with me. And I urged my friend Ramkamal Mukherjee, who’s also written two books on my mother, to direct it.  While on the family scene, I feel completely fulfilled, this film helped me feel a great sense of creative fulfillment. And along with this, I also started doing my Ramayana dance ballet. I did quite a few shows. The funniest part was every time there would be a show, there’d be alterations in my costumes because I started losing weight. And now I’m back to square one.

CB: Was Ahana as excited about the film and the second baby?

Esha Deol: Yes, yes. She is! My sister has always been very attached to my day-to-day life, and me with hers. That’s the kind of bond we both have, though we fight. But that’s natural!

CB: Cakewalk was about making choices and the internal journey of guilt and expectations, eventually about woman empowerment. Have you  encountered that kind of choices and situation in life?

Esha Deol: Yes, it has happened a few times. Not just after I became a mother, but even when I was just a wife. There were a couple of opportunities when work came, but I had to think otherwise and not do it. At the same time, certain things fell into place beautifully, like how I did Roadies.

CB: Both your parents Hema Malini and Dharmendra have achieved iconic stature as actors. Coming from that legacy, do you aspire to achieve some measure of that even now? Two children didn’t stop your mother from doing films.

Esha Deol: That is her journey as an actress. Her life is very different compared to what my life is! I don’t think I can compare the two. But as an actress, as someone who is creative, and doing films and dance, yes, the desire to do good work continues. Not to prove anything, but to keep myself satisfied, to keep my mind creatively alive. And in today’s times, there is so much opportunity. In between, the industry went through a time when married heroines were not getting enough work.

But today heroines are marrying at their peak, same as in my mother’s times. Sometimes my mother says today it is much better for us. This is because when she got married, she felt she was offered different kinds of roles compared to what she got before. This was simply because she was viewed as a married heroine. She feels it’s much better now. Today a lot of people are doing it.

CB: What outcome has Cakewalk had for you at the personal level and at the professional level?

Esha Deol: See, for me as well as for society, Cakewalk will be a benchmark film. It has managed to reach that stature even before we released because it was taken up by a big channel- Colors. They liked the film and this has never happened with any short film before. The right kind of backing always makes a difference. And I’m happy we waited for the right platform to show it on. This is definitely a stepping stone for other filmmakers who want to make these kind of films. I’m sure they will aim for this or higher.

Zee also bought the music, which is also a path-breaking step with a short film. I’m happy that I took up Cakewalk, it has got good publicity and good recognition. Creatively it has already satisfied me, because I liked the story. I was happy to play the role of Shilpa Sen because a lot of girls will identify with her. I’m quite positive it’ll even have some impact on them. Personally, for me, facing the camera has always been a pleasure, It’s given me the confidence that I’m able to be a mother, a wife, and at the same time, work. And if I’m able to do it, many more girls can.

CB: That’s three babies in four years now. Radhya, Cakewalk and the ‘coming soon’ baby!

Esha Deol: Not four years, just three. This one is due in the monsoons this year, which is like round the corner. I just announced it late!

Isn’t she inspiring? Well, we wish Esha Deol all the very best in her new phase of life. With her baby due mid this year, stay tuned to CineBlitz as we get you all the news and updates right here.