Bhagyashree shot to instant stardom with her Bollywood debut opposite Salman Khan in ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ and the film continues to remain a cult over the years. While her entry into cinema was the kind most actors dream of, Bhagyashree chose to step away from all the fame to prioritise her family as she got married. In a recent conversation, she reflected on how marriage often became a professional obstacle for actresses in the 1990s.The actor explained how storytelling and social structures were shaped by patriarchal norms at the time. “Of course, back then, the stories were also driven by more patriarchal characters. The working woman is a new concept for society even today, and with more educated women stepping into fields that were male-dominated, there is a paradigm shift in society. It has changed the notion of how women are perceived. And it’s great to see even men encouraging and supporting women to work post-marriage,” she said in an interview with Variety India. Bhagyashree also addressed how increasing individualism has influenced both audiences and filmmaking. However, she admitted she is uncomfortable with the way intimacy is portrayed on screen today. She said, “Cinema reflects society. In the 90s, it was the only entertainment, the only outing that gave a family the chance to spend time together. Today, families have become nuclear, people are more individualistic, and mediums of creative art have become multifold. The choices, therefore, are many too.”Expanding on this shift, she added, “However, it has become impossible to please every type of audience. Films have split into cliques, genres, indie, art films, etc. I genuinely feel that while realism is the new market, it is not necessary to show intimacy that will make you squirm while sitting with your parents or children. Stories can be bold, diverse and interesting without being defiant to society.”In recent years, Bhagyashree has returned to cinema in character roles across multiple industries. She has appeared in films such as ‘Thalaivii’, ‘Radhe Shyam’ and ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’. She will next be seen in the upcoming Marathi film ‘Raja Shivaji’.
