New Delhi: Three weeks after the release of The Great Shamsuddin Family, veteran actor Farida Jalal is still receiving calls praising her performance. Over 200 films and numerous TV serials later, her appetite for work hasn’t subsided. She feels the best when she is working.
“There was so much laughter in the theatre when we had the screening at Lighthouse, Mumbai. People have been calling me, and telling me they loved it. I am so proud and happy that I’m part of it,” said Jalal.
Directed by Anusha Rizi—who returned to direction 15 years after Peepli Live—the film, which released on 12 December on JioHotstar, is a modern Muslim Social that looks at three generations of an upper middle-class family in Delhi. Jalal plays Akko, the family matriarch. Deliciously manipulative and sweet, Jalal as Akko shows how every Indian family has that authority figure no one can say no to.
Jalal also appeared in the first India-Vietnam co-production Love in Vietnam last year. But what brought about a slew of work was her role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s OTT debut Heeramandi (2024). Jalal plays Qudisa Begum, the doting grandmother of Tajdar (Taha Shah Badussha), who also is a staunch supporter of his relationship with Alamzeb (Sharmin Segal).
“After the show (Heeramandi), I got so many offers for new work. I think people had forgotten me and the show reminded them,” said Jalal.
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Jalal’s big break
Farida Jalal has been working across films, television and now streaming, for more than 58 years. It was Bobby (1973) that landed her a Satyajit Ray film.
When Jalal was walking out of the film’s premiere, attended by almost the entire industry, she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Sharmila Tagore, whom Jalal lovingly called Rinky di.
“She said, ‘Farida, this was a very difficult role. I would not have done it’,” said Jalal. For a young Farida, still trying to find her feet in the industry, it was an acknowledgement of the effort she had put into a character who has developmental disability.
Jalal has a brief appearance—when Raj (Rishi Kapoor) meets Alka (Jalal), at a party. Raj’s father wants his son to marry Alka for her inheritance.
The scene is poignant for the way Jalal blends innocence with a hint of pain, saying, “I know I have grown up, but my mind is still like a child’s.” She then goes on to ask if he would marry her, because marriage would make her ‘better’, managing to create a memorable moment in the cult classic that featured Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia.
Jalal’s performance was such that even director Raj Kapoor was smiling ear-to-ear, when the shot was over.
Director Shyam Benegal too noticed Jalal’s talent and recommended her to Ray, who was about to make his first and only Hindi film, Shatranj Ke Khiladi.
“When people heard the great Satyajit Ray is making a film, everyone went to meet him, to ask him to cast them. But he chose Shabana (Azmi) and me,” said Jalal. It taught the actor that performance would always trump over the duration of a role.
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Waiting on calls
Jalal has acted in more than 200 films and 15 television shows, creating a formidable body of work.
She became a popular TV face, with shows such as Dekh Bhai Dekh (1993-94), Shararat (2003-06) and Balika Vadhu (2009-12).
In Shararat, loosely based on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, she plays Sushma Mehra, a grandmother with magical powers, who guides and helps her equally magically-gifted daughter Radha (Poonam Narula) and granddaughter Jiya (Shruti Seth).
“Television has changed so much and there is not much quality work anymore. But I enjoyed working in TV shows. It is extremely demanding. I would love to do it again, but I haven’t received any offers,” said Jalal.
She was a part of massive commercial hits such as Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), playing characters that would become as popular as the protagonists.
“Adi (Aditya Chopra) explained the scene where I am telling Simran (Kajol) that women have to be sacrificial, and choose family, with such emotion in his eyes, that even I was mesmerised. I really hope he makes more films and casts me,” said Jalal.
Her role, as a governess in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham was also extremely popular, especially in the tear-jerker scene when she recognises a grown up Rohan (Hrithik Roshan) as the kid she once used to take care of.
Jalal was equally efficient in the comedy scenes, one of which had her mimicking the way a white neighbor of Anjali (Kajol) speaks.
“During the shoot of Heeramandi, all these female actors on set would recreate that scene, with one playing daijaan and another playing Anjali, and we would laugh together so much,” said Jalal.
For now, Jalal is happy with the kind of work she has been receiving. Her line-up includes Vishal Bhardwaj’s Arjun Ustara, starring Shahid Kapoor and the mulit-starrer Ahmed Khan directorial, Welcome To The Jungle.
“Whenever I am shooting, I am the happiest and feel energetic. Otherwise, I just lie inside the house. All I need is a role,” said Jalal.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)