Saturday, 5 October 2024

English Vinglish anniversary: This Day, That Year!

Well, technically, there are two anniversaries for the film; 14 September 2012 (TIFF) and 5 October 2012 (India release).

Either way, here’s to celebrating 12 Years of English Vinglish today! 

I saw the film four times on the big screen thereafter; one with friends, then family, then the office crew and then finally my western friends. 

They alllll fell in love with 'Shashi' ie Sridevi. All the western friends had the same reaction, "Why didn't she leave the husband for the French guy?!!" 

Was a fascinating study of humanity that response; every, single, Western (or I guess Western-minded/modern) person wanted her to leave the marriage for the greener pastures... or so to speak. 

English Vinglish brought Gauri Shinde to our orbit and brought Sridevi back where she belongs; on the big screen. 

Now that its been decade plus, can tell you, absolutely didn't care for the title when I first heard it and had never heard of Gauri... And DAMN did she deliver! And how! The most perfect comeback in the history of Indian cinema and easily the best first film of any film maker... I love how new gen audiences still discover this film with a smile on their face and a tear in their eyes... 

Our entire, comprehensive archive about the film, its cast here. That's over 261 posts and galleries! 

Some highlights;

  • Celebrity responses to English Vinglish and Sridevi here.
  • Film directors pick their fav film of 2012, English Vinglish is in every list.
  • Fan art (the really good ones!) inspired by Sridevi in EV here.
  • The all-star premiere of English Vinglish here.
  • Raveev ('Rama!') talks about working with 'the' Sridevi and makes her laugh on set here.
  • Designer Sabyasachi on working with Sridevi for her look in the film here.

And finally, my cover feature and interview with Sridevi and Gauri Shinde - thank you for making my every dream come true. xx

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