By:
Subhash
K.
Jha,
IndiaFM
Friday,
July
20,
2007
The
epitome
of
grace
Hema
Malini
thinks
the
sari
isn't
being
accorded
the
respect
it
deserves
at
international
events.
Says
the
outspoken
lady,
"I
see
it
being
worn
in
strange
ways
at
these
events
where
our
representatives
are
being
watched
by
millions.
The
pallu
is
awry
and
the
girls
end
up
looking
undignified.
Just
because
you
want
to
show
off
your
curves
it
doesn't
mean
you
can
wear
the
sari
like
that."
Hema
has
her
sari
ready.
"And
it's
going
to
be
worn
with
the
dignity
that
the
apparel
deserves."
Incidentally
there
was
a
story
in
Hema's
heydays
about
how
she
never
repeated
her
saris.
"Yes
that's
true.
My
mother
would
buy
so
many
Kanjeeravams.
Nowadays
it's
even
tougher
to
repeat
the
sari
since
the
media
catches
the
repetition
and
highlights
it."
Accompanied
by
her
younger
daughter
Ahana,
Hema
left
for
her
career's
first
retrospective
at
the
Bangkok
International
Film
Festival.
"I
took
personal
interest
in
selecting
the
films.
Initially,
I
didn't
realize
the
importance
of
this
honour.
We've
finally
selected
five
of
my
films....Lal
Patthar,
Sholay,
Baghban,
Dillagi
and
Khushboo.
Hema
was
very
keen
on
including
the
1974
starrer
Premnagar.
"But
that
film
has
already
been
much-seen
in
that
part
of
the
world.
In
Thailand
they're
crazy
about
seeing
me
and
Rajesh
Khanna
together."
"I
don't
think
anyone
else
from
the
Indian
film
industry
except
Rakeysh
Mehra
is
coming
to
Bangkok."
Hema
is
in
Bangkok
till
21
July.
"July
19
and
20,
for
two
days
I'll
be
their
state
guest.
Then
I'm
free
to
keep
myself
busy.
I
do
hope
I
can
speak
about
my
films
on
stage.
I'm
not
shy.
But
I'm
shy
of
speaking
about
myself."