Asha Parekh: “ I Was Very Upset With Those Holiday Pictures Of Ours”

 A while  ago, holiday pictures  of the three legends Asha  Parekh, Waheeda Rehman and Helen who are  inseparable friends , holidaying in the Andamans went viral.

Ashaji  who  is  a  very private person , is deeply affronted by  the violation  of  their personal space. “These  pictures are  from a holiday we took in the  end of March in the Andamans just before the lockdown. We  thought  it  was  a  very private  vacation. We  just wanted to get out. Relax. We’ve  no idea who took  the  pictures. It was  probably some tourists. The place was swarming with vacationers. Aaj kal koi bhi photos le sakta  hai bina ijaazat ke(nowadays  anyone can click your pictures without  your  consent),” says Ashaji angrily.

 On  returning to Mumbai the yesteryears’ screen queen  was shocked when their holiday  pictures went viral. “More than me, Waheeda and  Helen were  upset.They are far more private people than me. People were  sharing the pictures and saying the three of us should star in a  sequel to  Dil Chahta Hai. Why  Dil  Chahta Hai?I don’t understand. It was  more  like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara.”

Ashaji feels the era of social media has  robbed  public figures  of their  right to  privacy.  “Anybody can click  a  selfie  with  you. Pehle autograph  mangte the abb selfie. When  you are with your family or close friends  such intrusion feels like  a violation.”

Having said  this , the  screen diva admits she had fun  at the Andaman  islands. “I went snorkeling with Waheeda  for the first time. I had never done this  before. Of course  I know how to swim. But I’ve  a deep fear  of deep waters. Luckily I braved it. The experience  of going undersea and swimming with exotic fish is  something everyone should try at least once in their  lifetime.”