Seasoned Hindi film actor Zarina Wahab, who plays Sharda Devi, the lead role in Zindagi Ek Bhanwar , describes it as a “soft and powerful one” which she is enjoying enacting.
“While doing the pilots I was wondering how it will turn out but now I find it to be a very effective character,” she remarks.
Candidly admitting that “nobody would have refused the role of Sharda Devi”, she explains, “it has many shades. It exemplifies the many roles a woman plays in a society, like that of a wife, mother, mother-in-law, etc. at home, and others outside when at work.”
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Zarina found playing the homely aspect of the role easy but when the character moves to the political domain she says she had to “adapt as I did not know much on this subject.” She adds, “Interaction and discussions with the director (Paresh B. Patil) on the sets have helped in performing the politician’s part.”
Having learnt much now, she quips, “Now I feel I should join politics.”
On a contemplative note, Zarina comments, “My role in this serial will definitely inspire Indian women to start taking politics as a serious option.”
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Veteran artists usually identify with the character to deliver the goods. “I identify with Sharda’s character as she intends to do good and has the courage to do so. I, at a personal level, share her trait,” remarks Zarina. “I discovered new aspects of life through this role.”
Besides Hindi, Zarina has acted in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films, though Malayalam dominates her filmography.
“My first Malayalam film was Madanolsavam (1978) with Kamal Haasan. I received some very good roles in this language which I was glad to enact.” Her Adaminte Makan Abu garnered four National Film Awards and was India’s official entry for nomination in the Best Foreign Film category for the 84th Academy Awards. In 2013 she acted in Olipporu .