A QUEEN BOWS OUT

Even days after the news of Sridevi’s death, I am still coming to terms with the fact that the cinematic icon who I grew up adoring, is no more.

I have replayed in my mind the times spent with my sister dissecting every Sridevi act after each of her movies. The spontaneity, the impeccable acting, the ultimate dance moves, the comedic turns. Those eyes spoke volumes, the mischief in her smile could make anyone’s heart skip a beat, and her very presence onscreen could give any male superstar a run for his money. In a male dominated industry she held her own, at times taking home a bigger pay packet. Yes, she was the rst ever ‘female superstar’ of Hindi cinema.

Of course we also spoke of Jaya Prada along with Sridevi: two contemporary competing forces during their prime, both beautiful, powerhouse performers and great dancers. In their famed rivalry, the two really pushed each other to become better at their craft. But what made Sridevi stand apart was her versatility, especially when it came to her mastery over comic timing and even action. From playing a retrograde amnesiac in Sadma, to a contrasting double role of a coy vs a happy-go-lucky girl in Chaalbaaz, to getting into the skin of a ‘nagin’ in the insanely popular snake-woman lm Nagina, to the ultimate romantic in lms like Chandni and Lamhe, Sridevi nailed every character with her ‘range’ of acting prowess. Fiercely private in her real life - and a known introvert often called an interviewer’s nightmare – it is inexplicable how she owered in front of the camera, bringing every role to life in a seemingly effortless fashion. As an entertainment journalist back in Mumbai, I still remember, what an uphill task it was to get a Sridevi byte, let alone an interview.

Starting at the tender age of four, Sridevi got to rule the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada lm industries both as a child artist and as a lead actor.

Her foray into Hindi lms kickstarted with the 1979 lm Solva Sawan but what catapulted her to instant fame in the north was the 1983 lm Himmatwala and its kitschy song-n-dance number Naino mein sapna, sapno mein sajna. Her body of work kept expanding and so did the diversity in the choice of characters that she took on. Here was yet another star from the south, destined to rule the Hindi lm industry after the likes of Rekha and Hema Malini.

The other ‘range’ in Sridevi’s acting career was the generations of heroes she was paired opposite: Kamal Hassan, Jeetendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, to Salman and Shah Rukh Khan and Akshay Kumar right up to Adil Hussain, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Akshaye Khanna. With her 2012 comeback lm English Vinglish, Sridevi proved yet again that she was born to act.

The last we saw her on screen was in Mom (2017). And the last we will see of Sridevi will be as herself in SRK’s forthcoming Zero, directed by Aanand L. Rai. Summing up the enigma that was Sridevi?

Na jaane kahaan se aayi hai, na jaane kahaan ko jaayegi? Deewana kise baanayegi ye ladki?

We know the answer to that last question: an entire nation that will never cease to love her.

PRIYANKA TATER, Indian Link Radio

JANHVI KAPOOR

HOLLYWOOD HONOURS SRIDEVI, SHASHI KAPOOR AT OSCARS 2018

The passing away of one of India’s most iconic stars still feels surreal. After all, it happened just a few days ago. But it’s heartening to know that Sridevi was loved not just by Indians, but fans the world over, especially in Hollywood.

At the 90th Academy Awards on 5 March, Sridevi, along with veteran actor Shashi Kapoor, received a musical tribute by Eddie Vedder who took the stage to sing Tom Petty’s Room at the top.

Kapoor, who was one of the rst few Indian actors to put Indian cinema on the world map, passed away in December 2017. He was conferred the Padma Bhushan - the third highest civilian honour - by the Indian government in 2011.

Sridevi, who died on 24 February in Dubai, is touted as India’s rst female superstar by many. The actress, although a complete recluse off the camera, transformed into a bubbly, talented and awe-inducing performer in front of it.

Both actors were included in the annual montage along with stars such as John Heard, Toni-Ann Walker, June Foray, Robert Osborne, Martin Landau, Glenne Headly, Roger Moore, George A. Romero and Jerry Lewis.

Janhvi Turns 21

Janhvi Kapoor, the elder daughter of veteran actress Sridevi whose sudden demise in Dubai last month left her family and fans in shock and disbelief, turned 21 on 6 March.

It was perhaps her cousin Sonam Kapoor who said it best while sending birthday greetings.

“To one of the strongest girls I know, who became a woman today. Happy birthday, Jannu,” Sonam said on social media, captioning a smiling image of Janhvi.

Janhvi and her sister Khushi impressed all with their grace and dignity as they stood by their dad during Sridevi’s funeral and the days following.

Janhvi’s own note on her birthday, about a “gnawing hollowness” within her, revealed more of that strength and dignity.

“On my birthday, the only thing I ask of all of you is that you love your parents. Cherish them and devote yourself to making them feel that love. They have made you. And I ask that you remember my mother fondly, pray for her soul to rest in peace,” she wrote.

“Every morning, all that I would do was (wake up) with the hope that one day you’d be as proud of me as I was of you. But I promise I’ll wake up every day with the same thought. Because you’re here and I can feel you.”

Janhvi is slated to make her Bollywood debut with Dhadak, produced by Karan Johar. It is a launch pad Sridevi was most excited about. The late actress had stated more than once that she was con dent that her daughter is ready to take on the challenges that the industry will throw at her.

As fate would have it, Sridevi won’t be by Janhvi’s side when Dhadak releases in July, but an entire nation of Sri fans will surely be there, cheering Janhvi on.

SUNNY TURNS MUMMY… AGAIN

That’s right, folks. Former adult lm star turned Bollywood babe Sunny Leone is a mum again. The 36-year-old actor and husband Daniel Weber, who had adopted Nisha in July, are now parents to twin baby boys, Noah and Asher.

Leone shared the news with her fans on Twitter along with an adorable picture of the entire family with Sunny and Daniel holding each holding a baby boy, and Nisha grinning from ear to ear.

She captioned it, “God’s plan! June 21st, 2017 was the day Daniel and I found out that we might possibly be having three children within a short amount of time. We planned and tried to have a family and after so many years are family is now complete with Asher Singh Weber, Noah Singh Weber and Nisha Kaur Weber. Our boys were born a few weeks ago but were alive in our hearts and eyes for many years. God planned something so special for us and gave us a large family. We are both proud parents of three beautiful children. Surprise everyone.”

No one knows at this time if the babies are adopted or born via surrogacy because the couple hasn’t spilled that secret. But, who cares? Right now, all we are doing is going nuts over this aww-dorable family portrait. Aren’t you?

I’D WORRY IF MY FILM DIDN’T GET AN A CERTIFICATE: VISHAL PANDYA

If you remember the Hate Story franchise and were lucky (or unlucky!) enough to watch it, then you would also know that you’d better put the kids to bed for the latest installment on the block, Hate Story 4.

The lms are a racy mix of thriller, erotica and revenge, de nitely not meant for underage audiences.

Director Vishal Pandya says that his new lm is clearly meant for adult audiences, and has received an ‘A’ rating by the Censor Board.

Pandya said in a statement, “The theme of the lm is based on multiple issues faced by women and how it has built the emotion of hate in them and thus, their revenge. I would be worried if the censor board gave my lm franchise a ‘U/A’ certi cate.”

With the way the Censor Board has been handing out merciless cuts, it’s a wonder Pandya’s lm has even got the certi cate, eh?

I LOVE YOU, SAYS BABA SEHGAL TO KATY PERRY

He is one of India’s most loved rappers (even if he doesn’t really command the spotlight anymore), but Baba Sehgal is out to make news again, this time with Katy Perry.

The inimitable rapper-composer has hinted that he’s working on writing a pop track on American singer Katy Perry. Sehgal tweeted a photograph of himself, which also featured a blonde model.

“I love you Katy Perry. Very very very. Main Punjabi tu angreji. Mera dil very crajy crajy. I love you Katy Perrycoming soon,” he captioned the image. Looks like Sehgal needs to drink some thanda, thanda paani, and calm down.

Of course, it’s not just Sehgal who’s going ga-ga over global celebrities. Singer Diljit Dosanjh had jumped on the bandwagon some time ago, when he composed the song Do you know for reality TV star Kylie Jenner.

Are You All Set To Go

MENTAL WITH KANGY?

She’s unpredictable, ballsy and her devil-may-care attitude re ects in her work - and we love Kangana Ranaut for that. And if the rst look of her latest lm with Rajkummar Rao called Mental Hai Kya is any indication, you’re in for a fun ride.

After their runaway 2014 success Queen, the two have paired up for Ekta Kapoor’s new venture and the rst look is causing quite a stir among

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

KANGANA RANAUT or SONIA HOEKS in HERDEM X H&M

Share your views with us on our Facebook page /IndianLinkAustralia fans. While Rao is seen ipping the bird (a gesture we’re sure will ruf e some feathers down at the Censor Board), Ranaut is seen making a crazy face.

Rao tweeted about the lm, “Crazy is the new normal.” And Balaji Motion pictures described the lm as “…time to bring out the crazy in you... because sanity is overrated.”

We already know the talent powerhouse that Rao is, but let’s be honest here: we can’t wait to see what Ranaut has up her sleeve with this lm. The actor has an uncanny ability to slip into any character - be it the heartwarming and laughable Rani in Queen or the ambitious and arrogant Shonali in Fashion (2008). And we’re sure she will leave the audiences spellbound with Mental Hai Kya too.

WHAT RARE DISEASE IS IRRFAN SUFFERING FROM?

Actor Irrfan Khan has revealed that he’s suffering from a rare disease - but hasn’t given out any more details.

Filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj had announced recently that he was pushing back his lm, starring Deepika Padukone and Irrfan. “Both my lead actors are down with different health problems. Irrfan is down with jaundice,” he had said.

But since when did jaundice become a rare disease? Looks like something much more sinister is up with the actor. And a tweet from him de nitely points in that direction. “Sometimes you wake up with a jolt with life shaking you up. The last 15 days, my life has been a suspense story. Little had I known that my search for rare stories would make me nd a rare disease.”

“I have never given up and have always fought for my choices and always will. My family and friends are with me and we are working it out the best way possible. In trying times, please don’t speculate as I will myself share with you my story within a week - 10 days, when further investigations come with a conclusive diagnosis. Till then, wish the best for me,” he added.

We hope the actor recovers soon, our best wishes are with you, Irrfan!

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LAST ISSUE CAPTION CONTEST

We have cancelled last time’s caption contest, featuring this picture of SRIDEVI with her daughter JANHVI, as a mark of respect to the departed actor