Veteran actor and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Hema Malini has revealed why she no longer appears regularly in films, saying she finds it difficult to adapt to the way movies are made today. Reflecting on her illustrious career in Hindi cinema, the actor said she considers the 1970s and 1980s to have been the "golden period" of the film industry, describing herself as fortunate to have been part of an era that produced several iconic and women-centric films.

In an interview with Zoom, Hema Malini looked back on her decades-long journey in cinema and spoke fondly of the opportunities she received during the peak of her career. "It was a completely different era. I would say it was the golden period of the film industry, and I was lucky enough and fortunate to be a part of that journey. So many beautiful films were made during that time, especially women-oriented films," she said. The actor added that she was grateful to have portrayed memorable characters in films such as Seeta Aur Geeta, Sapno Ka Saudagar and Khushboo.

Explaining why she has stepped away from mainstream acting, Hema said filmmaking has changed significantly over the years, making it difficult for her to adjust to the current working style. She indicated that today's film industry operates very differently from the one in which she built her career, influencing her decision to remain largely absent from the silver screen. While she did not rule out acting altogether, she suggested that adapting to the contemporary filmmaking process has become increasingly challenging.

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The veteran actor also reflected on the scale of her film career, noting that she has appeared in nearly 200 films. She recalled that many producers repeatedly cast her in their projects, a testament to her popularity during the 1970s and 1980s. Hema also highlighted the importance of music in films of that era, saying that most productions featured five or six songs and that chart-topping soundtracks played a crucial role in a film's commercial success. According to her, memorable music was an integral part of storytelling and audience engagement during those decades.

Known as Bollywood's "Dream Girl", Hema Malini remains one of Indian cinema's most celebrated actors. Her filmography includes classics such as Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Satte Pe Satta, Baghban, Khushboo and numerous other critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. Alongside her acting career, she has also established herself as a classical dancer and politician, serving as a Member of Parliament while continuing to perform on stage through dance productions.

Hema's remarks come at a time when many veteran actors have spoken about the rapid transformation of the Hindi film industry, driven by changing audience preferences, digital platforms and new production techniques. While acknowledging these changes, she expressed gratitude for having been part of an era she believes produced timeless cinema and strong female-led narratives. Looking back on her journey, the actor said she feels privileged to have contributed to nearly 200 films that continue to be remembered and appreciated by audiences across generations.

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