Depending who you ask, Bollywood diva Sridevi Kapoor has been missing from the movie screens between eight and 15 years. Regardless, her absence has been felt. Her putative replacements (Priyanka Chopra, Preity Zinta) have mostly filled the space she left as opposed to creating a niche of their own.
At the peak of her powers, Sridevi had at least one hit per year. The Tamil Nadu native has starred in prominent Bollywood efforts Sadma, Nagina, Mr. India, Chandni, Lahme, the last one arguably her finest work. Often cast as Anil Kapoor’s love interest, Sridevi had her eye on Anil’s brother, Boney. They married in 1996. Discounting occasional appearances in the big screen and a couple of TV roles, Sridevi officially retired in 1997 to raise her daughters Jhanvi and Khushi.
Sridevi’s return materialized during this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, where DARPAN Magazine had the opportunity to exclusively chat with the superstar. Her comeback film, English Vinglish, triggered a small commotion in social media and a bigger one during the premiere – it received a standing ovation.
“People everywhere kept asking me when I was coming back,” reveals the actress when I met her in Hogtown. “Which is preferable to being asked when I’m going to leave?” There was never a big plan for her comeback: “I just felt in love with the script. Plus, I was looking forward to working with a female director (Gauri Shinde) for a change.”
In person, Sridevi looks just like she did in her heyday during the early 90s, not a small feat considering the actress is now 49. Her faint voice matches perfectly her delicate features. Even though it seems she could retake her place within Indian film royalty, Sridevi doesn’t have any preset goals for this new chapter in her career: “I don’t believe in them. Let’s see what happens with this and I’ll move from there.”
Proof of Sridevi’s popularity, the producer of English Vinglish – R. Balki, a filmmaker in his own right – had no trouble coaxing frequent co-star
Amitabh Bachchan to do a cameo. As a service to the actress’ Tamil fan base, Bachchan’s role was also shot with Ajith Kumar.
Sridevi affirms it wasn’t hard to stop making up to six movies per year. “My break has been wonderful, I was busy taking care of my children, bringing them up. Thankfully, they are doing very well in their studies. Since my husband is a producer, I was constantly in locations and shootings, so I wasn’t entirely disconnected.” The diva rather not talk about her daughters, but it seems neither Jhanvi nor Khushi have manifested interest in following in their mother’s footsteps.
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Now playing in theatres, English Vinglish is a mild comedy that deals with a new social phenomenon in India. Shashi (Sridevi), the matriarch of a traditional Indian household is often mocked by her husband and teenage daughter because of her bad English. Her niece’s wedding in New York gives Shashi an excuse to tackle the language once and for all and restore her role in the family.
“As a mother, as a human being, I really relate to this character,” states Sridevi, in perfect, if timid, English. “Shashi appealed to me because she is very sensitive, devoted to her family. She is not a dumb person, other than the language problem.”
Unbeknownst to her family, Shashi takes an English course in Manhattan. Her kindness and undeniable beauty capture the attention of a French chef, who treats her with a gentleness long lost at home. While the possibility of an affair is hinted at, for Sridevi, to read too much into it would be missing the point of the movie.
“This is the story of a woman coming into her own. She is trying to change something inside her and gain confidence,” expands Sridevi. “It’s not like she doesn’t care for her family. She doesn’t need love. She needs respect.”