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Adult films were a challenge for me: Shakeela

Actress Shakeela, who scorched the silver screen with soft-core films, talks about her rise to fame ahead of the shooting of her biopic.

Shakeela needs no introduction. The actress, who’s famous for acting in soft-core films, used to be a force to reckon with. And so, in this season of biopics, it comes as no surprise that a biopic on Shakeela, directed by Indrajith Lankesh, is all set to kick off. Ahead of the shooting, Shakeela reflects on her career and the biopic.

Describing her journey in showbiz, Shakeela shares, “I was born in Chennai and had a middle-class upbringing. Soon, my circumstances forced me to enter films at the age of 16 and I eventually became the only breadwinner in my family. Now, I am 41, so I have spent around 25 years in the industry working in the Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films,” she says, adding, “I’ve learnt several life lessons, including never to trust anyone. It’s been a long and enriching journey.”

Apparently, Shakeela, who started off her career with Play Girls in 1995, reveals that doing adult films was never on her agenda. “I wanted to do films but doing adult films was never a conscious decision. However, given my circumstances, I hardly had a choice back then,” explains Shakeela, adding, “Many say I didn’t have proper guidance to select the right films and that’s why I ended up doing adult movies. But doing adult films is a great challenge; it isn’t a walk in the park.

I have endured several challenges in getting my expressions, body language, walk, etc., right.” Although her bold films were a rage, she says

it was difficult to be part of such an industry.

“I feel what was called ‘B-grade’ back then is now being termed as ‘glamorous’. But with changing times, industry has also changed. It was difficult to be part of adult films back then, but I wasn’t embarrassed nor did I pay heed to what people think. I don’t have any regrets because I believe in taking life as it comes,” she says.

Talking about how her films were money-spinners at the box office, Shakeela states, “I realised that adult films were setting the cash registers ringing and I continued to do such films. There’s a huge demand in the industry but I never kept a tab on my personal earnings and others took me for a ride. However, what surprised me was that even adult films have body doubles. So it could be your face but the another woman’s body.”

With actress Richa Chadha all set to reprise her in the biopic, ask Shakeela whether she shared any tips with her and she reveals, “I have told her about my personality and the influences on me during my industry days. I have also shared a few anecdotes. Even I’m looking forward to the film,” concludes the yesteryear star.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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