No roles for older actresses in Bollywood: Hema Malini

Hema Malini says there is a dearth of opportunities for older actresses in Hindi films unlike in Hollywood, where quality roles get written for female stars of all ages.

Malini, who has starred in more than 150 films during her glorious career, feels she can still play a variety of characters on screen but feels quality roles are hard to come by.

"Internationally, such beautiful films are made with elderly actresses but that doesn't happen here. They don't want to invest money because filmmaking is too expensive so why would they risk it with me? That's the problem... No one comes to me with (good roles)," the 67-year-old actress told PTI.

"Meryl Streep is doing fantastic work. She is of my age. I can also do so many things but I need opportunities for that," she added.

The actress, who is the BJP MP from Mathura, was last seen on the big screen in a guest



appearance in megastar Amitabh Bachchan-starrer "Aarakshan" (2011).

She will now be seen in Ramesh Sippy's upcoming production "Shimla Mirchi", which also stars Rajkummar Rao and Rakul Preet Singh.

"It is a sweet comedy and I had fun doing the film. I say yes when interesting roles come up and I thought this part was really nice so I agreed to be a part of it."

Malini, meanwhile, has entered a new territory-- singing. She has launched her maiden album "Dream Girl", which has been composed by Babul Supriyo and features his duet "Aji suniye to zara, kya hai manjra" with the actress.

The album also has two Bengali songs, which Malini had originally recorded for Kishore Kumar.  Dream Girl" was earlier launched in Mumbai by Dharmendra, Bachchan and his wife Jaya Bachchan. The "Baghban" actress has also recorded a bhajan album, which she will release soon.