AFTER THE BREAK
As Rani Mukerji returns to acting after a gap, HT Café takes a look at other actresses who will also face the camera post a hiatus
In 2014, she starred in the hit film, Mardaani. But post that, Rani Mukerji went into hibernation and also gave birth to her daughter, Adira in 2015. Now, the actor is set to return to the acting world with her next, Hichki, to be directed by Siddharth P Malhotra.
Rani, who will be “seen in a positive and inspiring story”, is kicked about her new film. “I was looking for a script that would challenge and excite me, and Hichki came my way,” says the Black (2005) actor, who is married to film-maker Aditya Chopra.
THE BIG LINE-UP
Not just Rani, a number of other actresses too are set to have a tryst — after a break — with film world again. So, while Preity Zinta returns to the big screen with Bhaiyyaji Superhit post a four-year sabbatical after 2013’s Ishkq in Paris (she did a cameo in Happy Ending; 2014), Sridevi will next be seen in Mom, after her last successful outing, English Vinglish (2012).
Interestingly, Raveena Tandon, who was last seen in Bombay Velvet (2015), will also be back with The Mother. Even Manisha Koirala makes a comeback with Rajkumar Hirani’s Dutt (a biopic based on Sanjay Dutt’s life). Also, Tabu has signed a couple of films — Ajay Devgn-starrer Golmaal 4 and Sriram Raghavan’s next co-starring Ayushmann Khurrana.
CORRECT CHOICES
Film-makers, too, are excited about it but have a word of caution. “People want to watch them on screen. And it’s great to see all the popular actresses being around. But they should be careful and absolutely correct about the kind of choices they make,” says film-maker Sanjay Gupta, whose 2015 film, Jazbaa saw Aishwarya Rai Bachchan making a comeback to Bollywood.
Gupta adds that the idea should be to play “ageappropriate parts”. “It goes without saying that things like running around trees and playing youthful parts won’t work. So, the idea should be to choose films wisely,” he says.
While Raveena found The Mother’s script “very gratifying”, which is about how one can deal with criminals indulging in crime against women while remaining on the “right side of the law”, other actors are “excited” about working with actresses, who are making a comeback.
STAR VALUE
“I am very excited about it (working with Sridevi). Sridevi has always been my favourite actress. I think she is the best actress — and not just one of the best — in the industry. So, when you get to work with your favourite actors, you’re bound to be excited,” says Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who will star alongside Sridevi in Mom.
Trade expert Amod Mehra puts things in perspective. “Undoubtedly, such actresses are great artistes, but, unfortunately, they don’t have star value. Such films won’t work due to their ‘star value’, but only on their merit. However, they [these films] surely have recall value,” says Mehra, referring to English Vinglish as “a case in point”.
NO FORMULAS
Gupta also says actresses returning from a break will have to adapt quickly. “Today, the entire system of how films are made as well as audiences’ tastes have changed, so formulaic films don’t work any longer. No actor can be stuck with that in their head,” says the Kaabil director.
The entire system of how films are made as well as audiences’ tastes have changed, so formulaic films don’t work any longer. SANJAY GUPTA, FILM-MAKER