Mala Sinha wishes she could be a heroine today

Mumbai, April 26 (IANS) Yesteryears' actress Mala Sinha, who will soon be conferred the Phalke Icon Cine Artist Award for her unmatched contribution to the film industry, says she would have loved to be part of today's technologically advanced industry.

The 76-year-old actress, who ruled the silver screen in the 1950s and 1960s, made her Bollywood debut in 1952 opposite Guru Dutt in the film "Suhagan". She has worked in over 100 films in her career.

"Technically, the film industry has improved dramatically as compared to the times when we used to work. I wish, I would have been a heroine today," she told reporters at a Dada Saheb Phalke awards press meet Thursday.

"It would have been great fun," she added.

The Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Awards are held annually to celebrate Dada Saheb Phalke Jayanti. The 13th edition will be held April 30.

Awards are also a big reason why Mala wishes to be a leading lady in today's time.

"I see awards on TV, every week there is some award function happening. The time has changed. In our times, we used to yearn for a Filmfare trophy. We used to get an award rarely. But today there is no dearth of awards," said the actress who was nominated four times for the Filmfare in the best actress category but never bagged the black lady.

"I wish I was a heroine today and you all would see me getting award on every TV channel," she added.

The actress has starred in popular films including "Pyasa" (1957), "Dil Tera Deewana" (1962), "Gumraah" (1963) and "Aankhen" (1968).

She was last seen in the 1994 release "Zid".