Reunion after 18 years: Amitabh Bachchan with Sridevi: 2012

Sridevi and Amitabh Bachchan gave their first shot in almost two decades on Monday for Gauri Shinde’s English Vinglish; they even shared lunch on the sets. 

Subhash K Jha and Kunal M Shah 

Posted On Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 02:16:27 AM 

They both won accolades for their last film together. And now, 18 years later, the actors, Sridevi and Amitabh Bachchan, who were seen on screen in the 1993 superhit Khuda Gawah, will share screen space in Balki’s wife Gauri Shinde’s debut venture English Vinglish. 

In fact, on Monday, the two actors spent some time together on the sets after almost two decades and even shared their meal. Balki, the director of Big B starrer Cheeni Kum and Paa, informed Mumbai Mirror, “It’s actually a two-day cameo for Mr Bachchan, and not an after-thought. Gauri had written the cameo with Mr Bachchan in mind. We were to shoot last week. But then the blasts happened. So now we have shot on Monday and will have to find another day for this dream team to come together.” 

Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi had worked in films like Inquilaab and Aakhree Raasta before they paired up for Khuda Gawah, which at the time was rumoured to be Bachchan’s last venture. While, the film did extremely well, fetching Filmfare nominations for both the lead actors, Big B surely did not move away from the silver screen after that. While the Big B continued his stint in Bollywood, Sridevi moved on to marriage and motherhood. And now, when the lady is ready to make her comeback to the silver screen, the Big B is more than happy to be a part of it. 

Apparently Mr Bachchan said yes to the cameo without hesitation. It is the role of a fellow-passenger that Sridevi meets on a flight. 

“It’s actually a very funny mid-air cameo. And only Mr Bachchan could do it. My wife and I are grateful he agreed,” said Balki. 

While the Big B was happy to be a part of Sridevi’s comeback venture, his Khuda Gawah lady did her part to keep the actor happy on the sets of the film. She got home-cooked food for the entire cast and crew. 

Dancing all the way 

Sridevi plays the role of a housewife in the film, who in order to please her husband and family, enrolls for an English speaking course. Speech however, is not proving to be the only challenging part of the film. The actress had to shoot for a rather difficult dance step at the YRF Studios, which made even Sri, a trained dancer herself nervous. And that was exactly when she called up choreographer Ganesh Hegde to help through the scene. 

A source revealed, “It was not a song. It was a scene where Sridevi had to demonstrate a few dance steps to her kids. Being a perfectionist, she wanted the steps to be just right. That’s when she thought about calling Ganesh since she knew him well. Thankfully, Ganesh was also around and he immediately came to YRF and helped Sridevi finish the scene.”

When contacted Ganesh Hegde confirmed the news and said, “Yes, Srideviji called me and she wanted some break dance steps. She had to do Michael Jackson’s famous moonwalk. I have known Srideviji and Boneyji for a long time now. I am glad she called me when she needed help.” 

Speaking about the dance steps, Hegde added, “Srideviji did some break dance in the song Na Jaane Kahaan Se Aayi Hai from Chaalbaaz. So she knew the stuff. I just helped her a little bit.” 

From Mumbai Mirror.com

Left: Choreographer and dancer Ganesh Hegde at Sridevi's Padmashri celebrations. 

Day 1 of English Vinglish, Summer of 2011: Sridevi returns to set after 15 years

After 15 long years, the actress gave her first shot for Gauri Shinde's  film English Vinglish at Yash Raj Studio on Thursday

Subhash K Jha 

Friday, July 08, 2011 at 03:55:44 AM 

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Yash Raj Studio, Wednesday July 07, 2011, Sridevi came back in front of the camera. Having stayed away from the flashlights for fifteen long years, the actress shot the first scene for her comeback film, Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish yesterday. 

And though both the lead heroine of the film, Sridevi and her debutante director Gauri were doing just fine by themselves, the concerned husbands, Boney Kapoor and filmmaker Balki respectively, couldn't keep themselves from worrying. 

Boney, who had been looking after Sri's career from before they tied the knot, not only called his wife on the sets every hour, but also couldn't help himself from dropping by at the studio to check on her. 

As for the other husband, Balki, he stayed by his wife's side throughout the day's shoot. As the day went by, even YRF head honcho Yash Chopra dropped by to meet his Chandni. His son Aditya, too joined in. Yash Chopra, incidentally had offered Sridevi a role in Veer Zaara asking her to come back to films. Sri at that moment had to refuse the offer, since she had just delivered her first baby [editor's note, second baby!]. 

Speaking about his wife's comeback, Boney said, "Of course, I am nervous. But Sri, even today, is a head turner. We were at a global awards function in Toronto recently and people just couldn't stop complimenting her. I'm confident about her debut. She'll sail through it." 

-- From Mumbai Mirror

Right: Rare pic of Aditya Chopra, holding his first Filmfare award - one of many.

Below: Sridevi on the sets of the film Chandni back in 1989

Plump it Up! Indian actress Sridevi asked to put on weight? Fake news?

Sridevi’s life comes a full circle; she has to put on weight like in her earlier days for her comeback film. We last got a proper look at her in the 1997 release Judaai. And ever since, we have been yearning to have her back on the silver screen. And now, after 14 long years of marriage and motherhood, Sridevi is all set to make her comeback. 

However, unlike what many may think, Sri, who has managed to maintain a great figure even in her life off screen these past years, will not be seen on screen in her sexy svelte avatar. The actress has been asked to put on a few kilos for her role in Gauri Shinde's film English Vinglish. 

Life seems to have come a full circle for Sridevi, who was a rather chubby-cheeked beauty in Padinaru Vayadhinile, over 30 years ago. A source revealed, “People are taken aback by how much weight Sridevi has lost in recent months. She is looking nearly anorexic. It is felt that this look doesn't go with what is required in her role as a housewife in search of her identity.” 

For those who have just tuned in, Sridevi plays a woman married into a rich family in the film English Vinglish. The fact that she doesn't know the British language makes her the laughing stock. And so, Sri's character enrolls for an English learning course in the UK. There she meets a French guy. Do we need to say what happens next? 

However, it is for this very role of a perfect little housewife that Sri has been asked to gain the extra pounds. It's ironic since the actress had gone through a very strict health regime to get into perfect shape these past few years. 

In fact, her husband Boney even revealed jokingly, “When the food comes to the table I feel sorry for it. I therefore end up eating for both of us. That's why I'm overweight.” 

Looks like Boney will have to start sharing his food again. After all, he does want his wife's comeback film to be perfect. 

SubhashK Jha 

Thursday, June 09, 2011 at 08:03:12 PM 

From Bangalore Mirror.com 

UPDATE: 

Sridevi Refutes above news! 

Sridevi refutes reports that she will put on weight for English Vinglish Screen Correspondent, Screen correspondent 

Posted: Jun 17, 2011 at 1327 hrs IST 

Sridevi, who will start shooting for her comeback film, English Vinglish on July 7 said that she is not required to put on any weight for her character. 

"I don’t know who has been saying this, because the director is fine with how I look right now,” said the actress who last faced the camera for her husband, Boney Kapoor’s Judaai 14 years ago. 

The actress, who at one time, was to make her comeback with Kapoor’s sequel to Mr India, said that she is quite happy to be back with this film as her character is extremely interesting. It will also be the first time that she will be working with a woman director, Gauri Shinde, wife of director R Balki. 

From Screen India.

Bachchan on Hold, Sridevi on Track

R Balki sets aside his film with Amitabh Bachchan for Sridevi 

SUBHASH K JHA 

 08 JUNE , 2011 MUMBAI

R Balki’s next film starring Amitabh Bachchan is on hold until his wife Gauri Shinde begins shooting her film English Vinglish with Sridevi in the lead on 7 July. 

Balki, who is producing the film, says he is very proud of the script. “I’d have produced it even if it wasn’t my wife who wrote it. It is just so brilliant. I wish I had written it,” the ad-man turned filmmaker tells Businessofcinema.com. 

What thrills Balki about this script is that it is tailor-made for Sridevi. “It’s almost as if it was written for her. She doesn’t have to do anything to get into the part. No preparation is needed. The role IS her. Even the way she speaks in real life is reflected in the character she will play.” 

Balki is thrilled that his wife is not only directing Sridevi in her comeback film, but will also be the first woman-director the Diva will work with. “Can you believe it? In all these years she has never worked with a woman director before,” exclaims Balki. 

Balki’s own directorial venture goes into writing as soon as his wife’s film goes on floors. “It’s not as if the two will happen one after the other. We didn't decide that I would write my film after Gauri started directing hers. But right now the entire focus is on Gauri’s film.” 

Apparently Balki will cast Sridevi in the film that he will direct next. “At the moment it’s too too early to talk about the casting of that one. The only thing we’ve decided on is that Mr Bachchan will play the lead,” says Balki. 

From businessofcinema.com

My role as mother always comes first says Sridevi: Rare Interview from 2011

…says Sridevi, who left her acting career to raise her children, and now after a 14-year hiatus the actress returns to the silver screen.

By Subhash K Jha

At the age of four, Sridevi made her silver screen debut in the Tamil film Kandhan Karunai. In 1997, she gave it all up to raise her children. Fourteen years later, she is making her comeback to Bollywood and talks to us about her return, her time away from the industry and her family.

After a 14-year hiatus, you are making a comeback to Bollywood. Why only now?

The script and director Gauri Shinde. When I heard the script, I fell in love with it. I hope it turns out well. We start shooting at the end of July.

Did you miss the film industry?

No, not at all. As a producer's wife, how could I have ever been away from the industry? There is always some connection to films and so I never really felt I was out of it.

Speaking of your husband, Boney had a health scare recently. How did you cope with it?

It really worried me a lot. I didn't take it lightly. I had never seen him hospitalised. I wanted him back home as soon as possible. I now insist on making him eat and sleep properly.

You gave up your career to start your family. Now, that you return to acting, does it worry you to keep your daughters unsupervised?

I'm going to shoot when they've their holidays and so they're going to be with me. So, there's nothing to worry about. The role of mother will always come first.


Do your daughters watch your films?

Of course they do! But it's not as if I've told them to watch them. They've seen my films on television and on DVDs. When one of my films is on, my younger daughter keeps looking at the screen and at me repeatedly. She can't believe that's her mother on screen.

Are they likely to follow your footsteps career wise?

Look, I don't want to impose my career suggestions on them. It's too early to decide on a career for them. Touchwood, they're good at their studies. They can choose whatever career they want.

Will you be doing more films now?

Let's see how it goes. I want to be at ease for my first film. That's why I'm doing it when my daughters can be with me. That's how we planned this film. But after this, my daughters may not be there with me when I do other films. I've never really planned anything. Everything just happened.


Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 03:23:23 AM

From Mumbai Mirror

Shekhar Kapur on getting Sridevi for Mr India's sequel: 2010 feature: Mr India 2

Shekhar Kapoor, ''I'll use my charms on Sridevi to return in Mr India 2''

By Subhash K Jha

Shekhar Kapur has just finished writing the techno-zany sequel to the 1987 blockbuster Mr India. And it will be designed as a feature film that would eventually be converted into a video game.



Shekhar, in India for a while, will now set down to convince Sridevi to return to the sequel. "Mr.India 2 cannot work without the original cast. I've written a basic story. A very modern story. It's the story of today's youth. And what is happening with technology today. And I've gotten over my fear of how to replace Mogambo. It's a new story filled with special effects. And yes, it has a brand new villain to replace Mogambo."

Anil Kapoor is very much part of Mr India 2. "I'd be stupid to make Mr.India again without Anil. And we must have Sridevi…Ms Hawa Hawaii was very memorable character.

How is Mr India conceivable without Sri? Or without Calendar (Satish Kaushik)? Or for that matter the frazzled newspaper editor (Anu Kapoor) who kept getting wrong numbers on his landline? We'll replace the land-line harassment with unwanted commercial calls on the editor's cellphone."

As for Sridevi, "I think I'll work my charm to persuade her. She has to agree."

There'll also be new hero in Mr India 2. "We're getting a completely new boy who won't play the title role. But he'll play a pivotal part. I want to bring new talent into our industry. I want the new boy in the new Mr India to be be someone like Rishi Kapoor, Kumar Gaurav or Aamir Khan when they came in."

 

Shekhar isn't at liberty to disclose the new post-Mogambo villain's name. "But what I can tell you is Boney Kapoor and Manmohan Shetty are co-producing while I look after the creative aspect of Mr India 2.

Anil Kapoor and Sridevi with the host of kids (and Calendar!) in a scene in Mr. India

Pics from Mr India's Silver Jubilee party and the simultaneous launch of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja - yep, the movie was launched in the winter of 1987 and the film released in 1993!

Above: Anil Kapoor and Sridevi at the launch of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja back in 1987! 

Laxmikant, Shekhar Kapoor, Sridevi and Boney Kapoor at the premiere of Mr. India

Rare pics of the cast and crew at the lavish premiere of Mr India