Asha Parekh: What's wrong in India having censorship?

Asha Parekh was known as the 'jubilee heroine' of the 1960s. Speaking with Utthara Kumari B, Parekh, also former censor board chief, discussed changes in Hindi cinema between then and now, why she believes in circumspect censorship - and her most cherished cinematic memory:
How have notions of the Hindi film heroine changed since your time?
Today, there are more heroine-oriented movies and actors are getting meaningful roles.During my time, the heroine didn't have much to do, though there were some good movies like Kati Patang, Nargis's Mother India and Waheeda Rehman's Guide. But the film scene has changed so much. Today, different kinds of films are made. There is freedom of expression and talent. You get a lot of international exposure. The atmos-phere is conducive to making heroine-oriented films.
What other differences do you see between cinema then and now?
Today, you see varied themes, maybe because of globalisation. You have world premieres. I watched Gangs of Wasseypur recently and liked it very much. Though it was morbid, it was so raw and realistic. Kahaani was equally brilliant. Today, films dazzle you with their technical brilliance.
Movies those days were made at a leisurely pace. A bound script was unheard of. Changes used to be made on the sets.
Do stars today have the longevity those of your gene-ration had?
I don't know. There is stiff competition today, too many actors coming into the line and too many movies being made. There's pressure all round on the stars, from the media, from co-stars. The stress perhaps leads to a quicker burnout.
In my time, movies were not churned out by the dozen. Nor was the media aggressive. Each of us had our space.
Having been a 'family film' star, how do you view the more open use of swear words and sex in films today?
Well, times change and so do people's tastes. What was once considered a swear word is in everyone's vocabulary today - i am not comfortable with it.
You were chief of the censor board earlier. But do we need censorship anymore?
Some films are really bad - they need sharp scissors. Even if it is a kissing scene, it depends on how it is depicted. If shown in a vulgar way, then you need the cuts. There is censorship all over the world. So what's wrong in India having censorship?
But it's not for the censor board to preach to children. It is up to their parents on whether they want to draw a line of control. I have seen parents fighting with the theatre gatekeeper demanding that their children be allowed to see an adult film. The censor board has no role there.
Many songs picturised on you became hits - what do you think of film music today?
Today's film music is produced electronically. There are no rehearsals. You don't see the singer and instrumentalists recording together. Each does his or her bit and all the tracks are mixed. It's not live music any longer. There is no soul in today's music.
Speaking of soul, do you have a cherished cinematic moment you'd like to share?
Yes. It was when i made my debut with Dil Deke Dekho. I can't explain the thrill and excitement in words. I was very young and starred opposite a very famous Shammi Kapoor. There was a grand premiere and a lavish party. The who's who of the Hindi film industry attended - i felt proud to be part of the film.