Returning to films was natural, says Padmini Kolhapure

By Jivraj Burman

Mumbai, April 27 (IANS) Padmini Kolhapure, who entered films as a child actor and later went on to give quite a few hits, is all set for a comeback of sorts with "Daughter" and the actress says returning to movies was a natural choice.

"I have always been associated with acting from a very young age. I took a break because I wanted to have a family of my own. Now that my son has grown up, what else could I return to but acting?" Kolhapure told IANS in an interview.

The actress, who married producer Tutu Sharma at the peak of her career, did make a brief return to films with "Souten" in 2006, but it didn't do too well.

Kolhapure says she chose Visu Mane's small-budget film "Daughter" because the character really appealed to her.

"My character is ...interesting. I play a married, working woman who doesn't want to have children for the sake of her career. Upset with her decision, her father-in-law adopts a baby girl. She gradually develops motherly feelings towards the baby and then wants to start her own family," the actress explained.

She said the story highlights the "necessity of adopting a girl child".

"Being a woman, I know how much cheer a girl brings to a family."

Excerpts from the interview:

Q. What lured you to accept this movie?

A. I liked the story. My character is not out of the world, but it is interesting. I play a married, working woman who doesn't want to have children for the sake of her career. Upset with her decision, her father-in-law adopts a baby girl. She gradually develops motherly feelings towards the baby and then wants to start her own family.

Q. Can you relate to the character?

A. Well, I was a working woman myself till I got married. I left acting because I wanted to have a family of my own. So I have been able to empathise with the character.

Q. Will it inspire people to adopt a girl child?

A. You know, in India, a male child is still the first preference of a family. But times are changing. Today you don't differentiate between boys and girls. It's only a physical difference; otherwise they are equal in all respects.

Q. Given a chance, would you adopt a girl child?

A. I would have as I have only a son. But at this stage, it is not possible. My son has grown up.

Q. What is the highlight of "Daughter"?

A. The story essentially highlights the necessity of adopting a girl child. Being a woman, I know how much cheer a girl brings to a family. I am sure people will like the movie and the women especially will be able to identify with Rucha, the girl around which the movie revolves.

Rucha epitomises the typical Indian girl of today.

Q. The movie is not being promoted in a big way. Are you happy with the end product?

A. Well "Daughter" is not a star-studded, big budget movie to merit huge promotion. Its merit is its theme. It is a very contemporary movie. I appreciate that Medha Mehendale came forward to produce it. Visu Mane is the director and my co-stars Vikram Gokhale, Rema, Ayub Khan, Vinod Singh and Rucha have done their best to make it presentable to the audience.

Q. Madhuri Dixit made a comeback, but it turned out to be a damp squib. Are you confident your second innings will be as fruitful as the first one?

A. Oh, my God! You've got me scared. No, I haven't made any deliberate move to make it big in movies this time around. I have always been associated with acting from a very young age. I took a break because I wanted to have a family of my own. Now that my son has grown up, what else could I return to but acting?

• Interviews