Film industry becoming progressive over women roles: Renuka Shahane

Mumbai: Actress Renuka Shahane says the changing age representation of women in Indian cinema is a progressive sign.

"I think now our films are going in the right direction. I am happy to observe how married women (actresses) are equally desirable now, unlike earlier days," Renuka, 52 said.

"Whether it is Anushka (Sharma), Kareena (Kapoor Khan) or Rani (Mukerji), they are all resuming work after their marriage and pregnancy. Good roles are written for a woman of our age.

"This is very progressive. There are various phases of our life and all of them are explored on-screen now," said Renuka, making a special mention of actress Vidya Balan.

"Vidya is making a huge difference with her roles. She is playing her age, but with so much variety, and that should be celebrated," she said, adding that it is time for television show makers also to get the direction right.

Renuka acted in several television shows like "Imtihaan", "Ghutan" and "Kora Kagaz" in the late 1990s.

On the big screen, she is making a comeback with "3 Storeys" after 15 years.

Asked what made her choose "3 Storeys" as her comeback vehicle, Renuka said, "I always wanted a role that will challenge me as a performer, a character that is so opposite of me, a character that will push me enough to bring out the best in me.

"After a certain point of time, I was getting roles where my characters had good presence on-screen, but were not in a great space as an actress, as a performer. At this stage of my career, only screen presence cannot satisfy me."

In "3 Storeys", the actress essays a middle-aged grey-haired Catholic woman named Flory, who is waiting for someone.

She said the team -- including Richa Chadha, Pulkit Samrat and Sharman Joshi -- underwent extensive workshops.

Directed by Arjun Mukherjee and produced by Excel Entertainment, "3 Storeys" will release on Friday.