Asha Parekh, who turned 79 on 2 October, got the best surprise gift from ardent fan Jackie Shroff. We don’t know if it is the ‘Gujju’ connection. But Jackie has always maintained that Asha Parekh is his favourite actress. Therefore it’s no surprise that he threw a surprise party for her.
Says Asha Parekh, “Jackie has always been very sweet. He is a very warm-hearted person. I don’t know if I am his favourite. But he had a small birthday party for me at his farmhouse where he invited a few of my close friends. Jackie looked after the guests personally. He made me feel special. That’s the special charm of Jackie Shroff
The party had only begun for Asha Parekh. She laughs, “I brought in my birthday at my best friend Waheeda Rehman’s home. She had a dinner party for me where she had invited our friends. Then, on the afternoon of my birthday, I took my close friends out for lunch. We then watched the latest Bond film No Time To Die.”
Asha Parekh’s birthday celebrations end with dinner hosted by her neighbours. Laughs the actress joyously. “The entire week I’ve been just eating and eating. I will have to starve myself for a month. But seriously, I am very lucky to feel so special on my birthday at my age. I have friends who have been with me for 40 years. I am blessed.”
Any unfulfilled dreams? “I want to be the heroine in a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film.”