Heroines are the new 'Heroes' of Bollywood

Gone are the days when heroines were just seen as damsels in distress or running around the trees. This is 21st Century and today's women are equal to their male counterparts in almost all the fields.

The recent trend has seen Bollywood experimenting by casting its heroines as main leads in movies.  Be it Vidya's Ooh la la performance in Dirty Picture or Kareena's Oomph in Heroine, no one is complaining since the box office is cashing on these actresses!

The film industry is majorly trying to change the age old perception that "Picture sirf heroes ke kaaran chalti hain!" Dirty Picture had some strong casts like Naseeruddin Shah, Emraan Hashmi and Tushar Kapoor but talented Vidya stole all the limelight! A year back we saw Rani and Vidya taking the responsibilty to handle a non hero film on their own in Noone Killed Jessica. Vidya's ever solo performance as fierce pregnant woman in search of her husband in Kahaani won her many accolades.

Madhur Bhandarkar went ahead to to make a film based on the life of a Heroine with Kareena Kapoor as the leading actress doing a commendable job. This week Rani Mukerjee's Aaiyya got released, the story of which also revolves around a middle class girl's dreams and fantasies.

Last but not the least the comeback of Bollywood's legendary diva Sridevi. She was once a reigning queen in the Industry and in English Vinglish she proved it why she was considered the best! A married lady who struggles to get self respect from her own family since she can't converse in English but who never gives up and takes an English speaking tuition from her own earned money.
The actress gave full justice to her role that after seeing the movie we never felt that this 49 year old lady had taken a long break of almost 15 years! She opened the door to many other older heroines and proved that even they can run a film on their own!

Its not just the actresses but females are also getting into film making. Kiran Rao's Dhobi ghat, Zoya Akhtar's Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and now the recent one Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish. Kudos to today's female power !!!

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- Unknown Updated at: Sunday, October 14, 2012

English Vinglish - Sridevi gets directed in real life too!

Sridevi who has been away from the media limelight for the past fifteen years is making a comeback with the movie - English Vinglish - the movie is much in talks for the sweet looks of Sridevi and the very theme that it is discussing. The movie portrays the story of a middle aged Indian housewife who tries to break bounds of language when she arrives at the US.

But it seems that the director Gauri Shinde is not only directing the actress in front of camera, but in real life as well. The rumours are strong that the media interactions with Sridevi is being directed by Gauri. Sridevi who is known for her shyness to the media is always looking up to Gauri for the right answers.

A source recently added, "During a particular interview to a TV news channel, Sridevi demanded to know in advance the questions that were to be asked. Post that, she went up to Gauri and narrated the questions to her and even asked her to explain them out to her. And while Sri was later responding to the scribe's questions, she even looked towards Gauri for her approval."

Seems like the long 15 years has caught up the actress too bad and she is afraid of opening her own views to the media. Personally we think this as  a wise decision, in the era where stories get made up for each sentence that is spoken out, it is better to be safe than sorry.

Good move Sridevi ji, but this might prove costly in long run!

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- Unknown Updated at: Monday, October 01, 2012

English Vinglish - Charming Sridevi takes extreme care

So many long years of break from Bollywood, but if you still see the actress who ruled the screens in 90's you wont notice much of a difference. She is still as sweet as we had seen her in her older movies and yet bubbly too. We are talking about the ever charming and beautiful Sridevi. Her movie trailers are out already and is trending the charts (view trailer)

The film, produced by R. Balki of 'Paa' and 'Cheeni Kum' is about a simple, traditional homemaker played by Sridevi whose life revolves around her husband and children. 

The movie tells about the struggles of Sridevi's character who is being criticized by her husband and children for speaking spoken English. The criticism goes to the extreme when her husband says that 'My Wife Was Born To Make Ladoos' - the teaser reveals how she struggles her way out and also shows some scenes which makes you eager to see what happens of her in the later part. The movie is directed by Gauri Shinde - wife of Mr. Balki.

Another exciting comedy yet a pun is when the visa officer asks her how she would manage in the US without knowing English, just then an Indian co-worker stands up for her saying, "Just how you survive in India without knowing Hindi". (so true!)

The movie will also see Amitabh Bachchan doing a cameo. As Amit ji says, its anything for Balki - even when he is producing the movie. Amitabh Bachchan had done 'Paa' and 'Cheeni Kum' which was both directed by Balki.

Gauri Shinde said, "This film is inspired by my mom. Like most people in India struggle with this language, it's just the insensitivity and insecurity that made me do this film."

Asked how she managed to cast Sridevi in her debut film, Ms Shinde said: "While writing the script, I did not think of anyone. When Balki met Boney and Sridevi, they asked him what was he doing at that time. Balki mentioned about me writing a script. Sridevi liked the subject and I narrated the script to her and it just happened."

As for Balki, he says that he missed the opportunity to cast Sridevi, "I envy Gauri.. like I wanted to work with Sridevi first but she did. And then I wished I could have thought of this idea, but she did. I am actually jealous of her.. the film made me feel jealous. Both of the things I did not do, so I just had to sit and watch," Balki said.

The film will also be premiered at the 37th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the actress has decided to wear a sari specially designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee. Sabyasachi has styled the actress in the film as well. She looks simple yet stunning in Sabya's printed saris.

"I am so happy to be here for him. I am honoured that he has designed clothes for my movie. He is a fabulous designer and I love his clothes. I feel confident wearing them and it has been an experience working with him," Sridevi said. Sridevi did a ramp walk after a long time for the designer.This was on the occasion of  third edition of PCJ Delhi Couture Week.

And Sridevi stunned her fans when she walked down the ramp.

Trailer Of English Vinglish Here

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- Unknown Updated at: Thursday, August 16, 2012

Sridevi back with English Vinglish

Bollywood actress Sridevi returns to the big screen after 15 long years with the movie English Vinglish. English Vinglish(trailer here) is directed by Gauri Shinde (R Balki’s wife). Sridevi was last seen in the movie Judaai.

Producer R Balki said that, "It is a very special film for me because it marks the comeback of Sridevi, possibly one of the greatest performers. It was written and discussed keeping her in mind."

Director Gauri Shinde (Balki's wife) said that, "Balki had gone to meet Boney Kapoor (Sridevi's husband) over something, and mentioned that I had a script for a film about a mother of two, who wants to learn English. 

Sridevi, who was there too, was interested to know more. That night, when Balki came home and told me this, I was stumped. I had considered a host of names for this role, but Sridevi, wasn't even on my mind, because she had been out of the scene for years. When I went over to narrate the script, she hung on every word. Through the narration, I saw her reactions and knew that this film was tailor-made for her." 

In the trailer she was seen donned in a carrot coloured sari reading from the film certificate spread out like a wallpaper with her back facing the viewer. 

A source said that, "The idea behind Sridevi reading a Censor certificate is unique for sure and makes you watch her keenly. However it doesn't seem to be enjoying a repeat value. First and foremost for a teaser it is way too long drawn at near 100 seconds. Moreover, though it catches your attention for a first few seconds, it starts seeming a little too indulgent after a while.  Balki is known for his unique ideas and on paper this must have sounded interesting. However to sustain today's viewer's interest in a single shot teaser like this which has Sridevi struggling to read a Censor certificate in English is asking too much." 

A new filmmaker said that, "Come on, it is Sridevi so you can't miss her. After all, she is returning to movies 15 years after JUDAAI (1997). It's a comeback that is worth waiting for and a glimpse of hers in the teaser is good enough for me to know that she is coming back."

The film also features French actor Mehdi Nebbou, Adil Hussain and Priya Anand. Amitabh Bachchan will also be making a guest appearance and will share screen space with Sridevi after 18 years. Two of them last starred together in the movie Khuda Gawah.

The film will release after three months.

Many celebs tweeted about the trailer of English Vinglish on twitter: 

CSRamachandran (@csramachandran): English Vinglish trending on the day when Ferrari ki Sawaari releases... Ferrari cant match up to Sridevi speeds?

Bhawana Somaaya (@BhawanaSomaaya): Super trailer of English Vinglish in the theatres. Unique and original. Sridevi turns to look at the camera and lights up the screen.

Shirish Kunder (@ShirishKunder): Trailer of "English Vinglish". Brilliant stuff! Super creative!

Shailesh Kapoor (@shaileshkapoor): Quite a unique teaser for English Vinglish. Sridevi is evergreen awesomeness

Rajeev Masand (@RajeevMasand): The teaser trailer of 'English Vinglish' - very cleverly done. Welcome back Sridevi.

Suniel Wadhwa (@sunielwadhwa): # Sridevi's English Vinglish Teaser Trailer directed by Gauri Shinde is very unique & true to the character & story. Hats Off to Balki

Trailer of English Vinglish:

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- Unknown Updated at: Monday, June 18, 2012