Rediff: Best of 2012; English Vinglish

An infectiously charming Sridevi discusses her love for banana chips with her daughter's school principal even as her first born appears ill at ease. It's the moment you want to offer her a plate of her favourite snack and thwack her heartless kid.

A completely crushed Sridevi breaks down after she's berated by a rude cafe attendant. It's the moment when you can feel her trauma and helplessness.

A heartbroken Sridevi starts making ladoos from scratch instead of appearing for her exams when an unforeseen accident caused by her son leads to a floor filled with smashed sweets. It's the moment where her visibly sorry boy joins in to help; making you wish you could too.

A grace personified Sridevi delivers a wedding speech in acceptable (in her case triumphant) English expressing the qualities that make a marriage truly work to her newly married niece. It's the moment when we are looking at Adil Hussain's deservingly embarrassed disposition.

It's moments like these that make the predictable but precious accomplishments of a glorious Sridevi as Shashi Godbole -- one of the best comebacks Bollywood has witnessed in a long, long time.

Another round of applause for debutant director Gauri Shinde.

From Rediff