Says the lovely actress, "I've become fond of Saif as an actor. And I look forward to seeing what he does next. This kind of a recognition encourages an artiste to better himself.
Even if you lead a relatively carefree life a Padma award makes you sit up and say, ‘Hey, I've to live up to this. It isn't a film award I'm getting here. The government is recognizing my efforts, and I better live up to expectations.'
The Padma Shri will make Saif evaluate his worth and and make him think of what the country expects him. I think it's a great pat on the back."
Speaking of awards and recognition in general, Sharmila opins, "The National awards must have their own identity free of a Bollywood domination. It's very important for regional cinema to get its recognition
. Now that Antaheen has won the National award for best film it will get a renewed shelf life. Such recognition means a lot to regional filmmakers. You know when Manik-da (Satyajit Ray) made his first film Pather Panchali he had to pawn his wife's jewellery.
Nothing has changed, really. Even today a regional film is made on a meager budget. The National award means a lot to regional filmmakers."
Speaking for herself Sharmila feels her recognition as an actress has come more from regional cinema than Hindi. " Barring a Mausam for which I got the National award, most of my prestigious recognition has come from Bengali cinema.
Even now the Bengali film Antarheen in which I play a cameo got the National award for Best Film. I got as lot of opportunities to work in wonderful Hindi films like Devar, Anupama, Aavishkar and Grihapravesh. Definitely, these were forward-looking films, Having said that the regional cinema has so much longevity."
Sharmila feels nostalgia often dictates recognition and adulation. "Zoha Sehgal got a Padma Vibhushan this year. When you're around for a certain period of time people do love you. All said and done we Indians are a very sentimental people."
Nowadays Sharmila chooses her films carefully. "Maybe one film at a time. Otherwise I get tired. Getting things done through the Ministry as the chairperson of the censorboard is not easy.
Also, my work with UNICEF and other organizations gives me more satisfaction. I've a one-to-one with younger people. All this is a strain on 24 hours. Today I'm a more kindered citizen. I also like to traveling.
Right now as I talk to you I am gazing out of my window in our home in Pataudi and I can see peacocks all over garden. I wouldn't like relinquish this pleasure for more work on hand."
Speaking on her work in cinema being recognized Sharmila laughs, "My self-worth doesn't come from what other people say about me. Recognition or the lack of it, doesn't run or ruin my life. Even if it doesn't come I still have a wonderful support system.
It's enough that some people like me. I know I'm not in the same league as Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. But when I walk into a room I only feel good vibes. My fulfillment comes not from awards but from watching the peacocks frolicking in my garden in Pataudi.
Not that I don't take my work as an actor seriously. I do. Earlier when I didn't like an end-product I dissociated myself from that film. Nowadays you are contract-bound to promote a film even if you don't like it. I fnd that kind of enforced professionalism to be restricting."
