Working with older actors boosts career: Hema Malini

Actresses like Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone and Sonakshi Sinha entered Bollywood riding on the shoulders of much older and popular stars. Veteran actress Hema Malini believes it helps in getting an instant boost in the career.

"Actresses normally work with older actors because they are so popular. Working with older actors boosts your career. If you work with young and new actors, then it takes a lot of time to climb up the ladder. So it is a very fast growth for the heroine," the 64-year-old said here Sunday at the inauguration of a jewellery store.

Deepika and Anushka made their Bollywood debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan with "Om Shanti Om" and "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi", respectively, while Sonakshi forayed into filmdom in a role opposite Salman Khan.

Citing her own example, Hema said: "Even when I entered the industry with 'Sapnon Ka Saudagar' (1968), my first film that was with Raj (Kapoor) saab. Raj Kapoor was a very big actor and age-wise, he was much older to me."

Meanwhile, Hema is confident that the Deol's upcoming production "Yamla Pagla Deewana 2", will be a success.

"I loved the promo of 'Yamla Pagla Deewana 2'. They had showed it to me first and I am confident that the film will work," Hema said.

"Yamla Pagla Deewana 2" stars Hema's husband Dharmendra, and his sons Sunny Deol and Bobby. It also features young actress Neha Sharma and newcomer Kristina Akheeva.

A sequel to the 2011-hit "Yamla Pagla Deewana", the film is slated to release June 7.