Farida Jalal Weighs In On 8-Hour Shifts For Actresses: Wasn't Big Deal For Us, Worked Wild | EXCL

Farida

Jalal has witnessed generations of actors change. She continues inspiring millions with her passion towards her craft and determination to experiment with roles. When netizens saw her using a cuss word in the teaser of O’ Romeo, they were surprised. From the era of no vanity vans for actresses to enjoying the process of acting in the digital and technologically advanced cinema phase, Farida Jalal has left no stone unturned in entertaining her audience. In an exclusive interview with Zoom, the veteran weighed in on the ongoing 8-hour shift debate. The O’ Romeo star looked back at the time when actresses shot outdoors without proper sanitation facilities.

Farida Jalal on 8-hour working shifts

Farida Jalal told Zoom exclusively, “We would work for wild hours and how. Back then, it wasn’t a big deal. Oh my God, those outdoors (shoots) without a vanity van. Just imagine. Being a female out of all and that too my kind of female (laughs). I used to be glued to my mother, and we faced all hardships together.”

She further added, “Now, we’re being spoilt. It is easy. Acting used to be very difficult in those days. You had to think 10 times before taking up this profession. But I loved this work, and I wanted to take up this profession, so I am here.” The veteran actress praised the current generation of actors for being well prepared before arriving on sets.

Farida Jalal on using cuss word in O' Romeo teaser

Reacting to the response she received for O’ Romeo’s teaser, Jalal said, “Vishal Bhardwaj was on my list of favourite directors. I ticked off one more box after Sanjay Leela Bhansali. When he came to the house and sat across, I told him, ‘I ticked off one more director from my wish list, as I have been wanting to work with you.’ He said, ‘Farida Ji, sabse pehle ek baat poochni thi’, Maine kahan, haan poochiye?’ He asked, ‘Aap gaali dengi na?’”

She added, “Can you imagine? I didn’t know what to say. I was so overwhelmed that he was there and I was going to work with him. Nahin rehne dijiye, chhod dijiye – aise toh main bolne wali nahin thi. This man, with whom I always wanted to work, sat across me. All I said is nangi nangi, gandi gandi gaaliyan main nahin dungi. Chhoti wali, mamuli-si ho toh de sakti hu. Mere hisaab se zyada nangi, gandi nahi thi. Ma-behen toh nahin bolungi. He started laughing and understood where I came from.”

About O' Romeo

O’ Romeo is a Valentine’s Day 2026 release. The film also stars Shahid Kapoor, Triptii Dimri, Nana Patekar, Avinash Tiwary, Vikrant Massey, Tamannaah Bhatia and Disha Patani.