From Sridevi to Raveena, Bollywood divas in the spotlight

After sharing screen space with Ajay Devgn in Golmaal Again last year, Tabu will now start shooting with her Vijaypath co-star for Luv Ranjan’s romcom. Twenty five years after Yash Johar’s Gumrah, Sridevi is reuniting with Sanjay Dutt in Karan Johar’s Shiddat, while Madhuri Dixit-Nene will be seen with Anil Kapoor in Indra Kumar’s Total Dhamaal, which is the third instalment of the Dhamaal franchise. These actresses are continuing their innings like their male counterparts. After Hrs finds out what these actresses from the ’80s and early ’90s are up to now.

STILL SHINING

TABU

Tabu’s filmography will tell you that she has done potboilers and critically-acclaimed movies alike in Hindi and South cinema, since the time she signed Prem in 1987 — though it released much later. Known for her acting chops, the two-time National Award winner has slowed down comparatively but delivers power-packed performances consistently, including her intense turns in Haider, Drishyam, and Fitoor. Then, she surprised everyone with an out-and-out commercial film, Golmaal Again. Other than Luv’s movie, the actress will be seen in Sriram Raghavan’s Shoot the Piano Player (tentative title). She also has a cameo in the Sanjay Dutt biopic.

MADHURI DIXIT-NENE

Whether it was Tezaab and Ram Lakhan in the ’80s or Dil To Pagal Hai and Hum Aapke Hain Koun...! in the ’90s, Madhuri delivered several blockbusters till she chose to move to the US with husband Dr Sriram Nene in 2002. Following that, the actress was seen in Aaja Nachle (2007). After moving back to India in 2012, Mads has done Dedh Ishqiya and Gulaab Gang apart from judging shows like Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa and the Indian version of So You Think You Can Dance, and endorsing many  brands. Believably, she’s being picky and doesn’t want to play a mother on screen. Buzz is that she has an important role in her forthcoming film, Total Dhamaal.

SRIDEVI

One of the finest actresses in the industry, Sridevi has shown her prowess in films like Sadma, Mr India, Chaalbaaz, Chandni, and Lamhe, to name a few. The actress took a sabbatical in 1997 to raise her daughters — Janhvi and Khushi. When she made a comeback after 15 years in English Vinglish (2012), everyone cheered for her as her sheen hadn’t dulled one bit. Thankfully, she didn’t keep fans waiting longer the second time around and gave a powerful performance in Mom in 2017. After these two hits, where she was the main protagonist, comes a big film like Shiddat, which also stars Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt and Sonakshi Sinha.

NOW YOU SEE THEM, NOW YOU DON’T

KAJOL

The dusky actress has garnered appreciation for her performances since her debut with Bekhudi (1992). Baazigar, Yeh Dillagi, Karan Arjun, Ishq, and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham are some films that won her applause. Since her marriage to Ajay Devgn and motherhood, her appearances have been few and far between. Bollywood films Fanaa, My Name is Khan, We are Family, and Dilwale have all come after a gap of five-odd years, while she has been a constant fixture in brand endorsements. Last year, she played the antagonist in VIP2.

MANISHA KOIRALA

Right from her debut in Saudagar (1991), Nepalese import Manisha Koirala made an impression with her beauty as well as talent in films like 1942: A Love Story, Bombay, Akele Hum Akele Tum, Khamoshi: The Musical, and Dil Se. After Company (2002), she was seen in a number of not-so-memorable films. Having battled ovarian cancer, Manisha has now become a motivational speaker. She made a comeback with Dear Maya (2017) and will play Nargis Dutt in the Sanjay Dutt biopic.

KARISMA KAPOOR

With Prem Qaidi (1991), Karisma broke the Kapoor khandaan norm and became the first girl from the first family of Bollywood to enter films. She ruled the roost in the ’90s with superhits like Raja Hindustani, Dil To Pagal Hai, and David Dhawan’s films like Raja Babu, Hero No 1, Coolie No 1, Judwaa, Biwi No 1, etc. After early 2000s, her appearances diminished, especially after her wedding to industrialist Sanjay Kapur that had her moving to Delhi. Officially divorced since 2016, Karisma is mostly seen in brand endorsements and ramp shows. Her recent on-screen appearances have been a cameo in Judwaa 2 and the forthcoming Zero. 

NOW YOU SEE THEM, NOW YOU DON’T

(Clockwise from top left) Urmila Matondkar, Juhi Chawla, Shilpa Shetty and Raveena Tandon Thadani

URMILA MATONDKAR

After appearing as a child artiste in Kalyug, Masoom, and Bade Ghar Ki Beti, Urmila made her debut as a leading lady in Narsimha (1991). However, it was her sexy avatar in Ram Gopal Varma’s Rangeela that made her a household name. After commercial successes and critical acclaim in Satya, Judaai, Bhoot, Ek Hasina Thi, Pinjar and Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara, among others, work gradually dwindled for this sexy siren of the ’90s. After forgettable Hindi movies such as Karzzzz and EMI: Liya Hai To Chukana Padega, and a Marathi film Ajoba, Urmila has mostly been missing in action. Married to Mohsin Akhtar Mir since 2016, she will now be seen in a song in the upcoming movie Raita, which features Irrfan and Kirti Kulhari.

JUHI CHAWLA

With her beatific looks, Juhi Chawla won hearts and earned a superhit with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) after debuting with Sultanat (1986). She’s remembered for her hit pairing with Shah Rukh in Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Darr, Yes Boss, Duplicate, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, etc. Critically acclaimed for roles like My Brother... Nikhil and I Am, Juhi has mostly been doing supporting acts since early 2000s. Apart from pivotal roles in Gulaab Gang and Chalk n Duster, Juhi has become more renowned as a producer and owning the IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders with SRK other than being an environment enthusiast. She has a pivotal role as Anil Kapoor’s wife in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, also starring Sonam Kapoor and a cameo in the upcoming SRK-starrer Zero.

SHILPA SHETTY KUNDRA

She debuted as Kajol’s sister in Baazigar and did many films through the ’90s (Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Insaaf and Dhadkan). The leggy lass showed her acting chops in Phir Milenge, Life in a... Metro and Apne in 2007, the same year when she made headlines for winning Celebrity Big Brother 5. Lately, she has been known for judging Super Dancer on television and her Yoga DVDs. She has also penned two books where she doles out tips on healthy eating and fitness.

RAVEENA TANDON THADANI

After her debut opposite Salman Khan in Patthar Ke Phool, she had hits like Laadla, Mohra, Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi, Dulhe Raja, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, to name a few. Raveena was also seen in serious roles like Shool, Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence, and Satta. Last year, she had two releases — Maatr and Shab. Raveena has mostly been busy judging television reality shows like Comedy Ka Maha Muqabala, Sabse Bada Kalakar, etc.