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Why Sridevi version 2.0 in 'English Vinglish' was a game changer...

The actress knew how to still be relevant when she returned to showbiz and resumed her Bollywood journey

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Sridevi in a still from English Vinglish
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Being born in the ’90s, I have grown up watching Sridevi’s films. Whether it’s her expressions in Hawa Hawai in Mr India or her double role in Chaalbaaz, she simply ruled the roost and how! But soon, she took a long break from films, to concentrate on her personal life. To Sridevi, her kids (Janhvi and Khushi) and husband (Boney Kapoor) were her top priority. The last time we met for an interview (in 2017 for Mom), she spoke about her new 
innings in Bollywood and the choices that she was making.

Keeping up with the times

She had joked, “Pehle 15 saal ka gap tha. Abhi paanch saal ka. So I’m improving,” before she broke into her famous giggle. A few minutes into the conversation and one would realise that Sridevi was aware of the changing scenario around her. Maybe, that’s why she didn’t repeat herself in her second innings.

While the majority of yesteryear heroines, who are still in their 40s and early 50s, are busy trying to fit in, Sridevi embraced her age. She didn’t want to be the romantic interest, dancing and prancing around trees anymore. “I always go with my instincts. The character has to suit me. I can’t do stuff that I did 10 or 20 years ago. I won’t be comfortable doing it anymore. I want my children to feel proud of what I’m doing. So, yes, obviously, I will pick films that have great stories and which don’t require me to be who I was years ago. It won’t seem or look logical anymore.”

‘I have to move on’

It was in 1997, right after Judaai released that Sridevi took a sabbatical from films. She returned to showbiz after a 15-year hiatus with a tale of a mother and her battle with mastering English in Gauri Shinde’s English Vinglish. Shashi Godbole was Sridevi 2.0. Even without the naach-gaana, she hit a home-run at the box office. English Vinglish’s performance proved that the audience still wanted to see her. Though it was her comic timing and her brilliant dancing skills that catapulted Sridevi to superstardom, she didn’t want to go down that road for her return. “I don’t want to do a dance film. I know it’s an exceptional space now, but I don’t think I will try it anymore. Dance karne ke liye bachche hain na (laughs). Why should I get up and start dancing? Woh toh kar liya, dance ho gaya! People appreciated it, but now, I have to move on from that,” she had told us in the same interview.

Mom, which boasted of strong content, also fared well at the box office and fetched her many awards. The actress had also green-lit two other films — Karan Johar’s Shiddat and an untitled project with her English Vinglish director Gauri. Her two films proved that she had upgraded her skills as an actor and was ready to match steps with the actors and directors of today’s time. It also looked like Sridevi was ready to make more frequent outings on the big screen, which is why her untimely death is a huge loss to not just to family, friends and fans, but also to the world of cinema.

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