Veteran actor Zarina Wahab, who will soon be seen in Prabhas’ upcoming Telugu film The Raja Saab, made candid observations about the changing nature of Hindi cinema while interacting with the press on Monday. Speaking during promotions, the actor said she believes family-oriented storytelling has largely disappeared from Bollywood, while continuing to thrive in South Indian cinema.
“Sirf South mai family abhi bhi zinda hai”
Addressing questions about her decision to work in Telugu films, Zarina Wahab revealed that she is often quizzed by people in Mumbai about her career choices. Sharing her perspective, she said, “People in Bombay ask me, why are you doing Telugu films? Hindi films main family mar gayi hai. There’s no family. Sirf South mai family abhi bhi zinda hai.”
She added that South Indian cinema continues to produce films rooted in family values, which audiences still enjoy watching. “They make such family-oriented films that people love to watch. I am currently working on two to three more Telugu movies,” she said.
“I am from Andhra, so I can speak good Telugu”
Zarina Wahab also spoke about her roots, revealing that not many people are aware that she hails from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Highlighting her linguistic comfort, she said, “I have been working in the industry for more than 40 years now. I am from Andhra, so I can speak good Telugu, much better than anybody else.”She added that she was frequently asked why she wasn’t doing more Telugu films earlier in her career. “Everybody kept asking me why I wasn’t working in Telugu films. I’ve worked in a few, but this film is bringing me more fame,” she noted.
“I was very, very thankful to the Hindi industry also”
While expressing her gratitude to the Telugu film industry, Zarina Wahab was equally quick to acknowledge Bollywood’s role in shaping her four-decade-long career. “I am very thankful to the Telugu industry now, and I was very, very thankful to the Hindi industry also,” she said.Zarina Wahab has appeared in numerous Hindi and Malayalam films over the years, along with select Telugu projects. She returned to Telugu cinema with the 2020 Rana Daggubati and Sai Pallavi-starrer Virata Paravam, followed by a key role in Jr NTR’s Devara: Part 1 (2024). She will next be seen in The Raja Saab, slated for a January 9 Sankranthi release. The film also stars Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan, and Riddhi Kumar.
