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Five actresses who’ve changed the norms in Bollywood

Posted: 08 Mar 2013 09:23 AM PST

There was time when only male actors dominated Bollywood. Women had selective roles to play and were usually stereotyped (barring a few films). From the sati savitri to the vamp, she always took a backseat. However over the years, things have changed and women actresses have played a myriad of roles. Some have changed perceptions and ruled cinema in their own way.

On International Women's day today (8th March 2013), here's applauding a few who have dared to be different.

Zeenat Aman- She was the sex symbol of the 1970's and 80's and made the Indian woman look modern in her thought and appearances. She glamourised the western look and brought it to Indian screens. Many actresses followed suit. With Satyam Shivam Sundaram, she redefined the word bold. But Aman was more than just a sex symbol. She had hit films to her credit including The Great Gambler, Don, Qurbani and Lawaaris. In spite of her turbulent personal life and dysfunctional relationships that left her badly bruised, beaten and even battered in the left eye, Zeenat chose to live an independent life and moved on from her past mistakes. She continues to be an inspiration for women even today.



Shabana Azmi- This woman needs no introduction. Backed by a host of successful films, power packed performances, accolades and awards galore, Shabana Azmi never chose to be different. That was just the way she was. With acclaimed films like, Arth, Ankur and Fire to name a few, Shabana was one the few actresses who merged the gap between parallel and commercial cinema. At a time when homosexuality was a taboo in Indian society and continues to be, she chose to play a lesbian lover to Nandita Das in Deepa Mehta's controversial film Fire. But Shabana goes beyond films. She's actively involved in theatre and is a social and women's rights activist and also a Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nations Population Fund.



Kajol- Who doesn't love this bubbly full of life actress who was a severe threat to all her contemporaries. She was unapologetic about her unibrow and protruding belly in a time when fitness and fashion were fast catching up with the film industry. Where her contemporaries shied from playing villainous roles, Kajol didn't think twice. In Gupt-The Hidden Truth she played the role of an obsessed lover who eventually gets killed. With films like Dushman, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, My Name Is Khan and Fanaa, Kajol made unconventional look cool. Kajol also changed the concept of a married actress making a comeback when she chose to do Fanaa. She went on record to say that Fanaa was never her comeback film because she never retired, just took a break from acting. Recipient of many awards, Kajol is sui generis and no one can ever replace her.



Karisma Kapoor- Kudos to this Kapoor girl. Karisma's journey in Bollywood was a far cry from the fairy tale experiences that other star kids had. With a lineage as fine as hers, the Kapoor siblings were forbidden from working in the film industry. But Lolo fought all odds and made her debut at the tender age of seventeen and eventually established her self as one of the top actresses of the 90's. Lolo's success and struggle paved the way for her younger sibling Kareena Kapoor into Bollywood. Karisma was one of the few actresses who made fitness a fashion and fought the flab which was a highlight of the 90's actresses. With Raja Hindustani, she had her biggest commercial success and went on to play a supporting role in Dil Toh Pagal Hain opposite Madhuri Dixit, a role that many reportedly turned down including Twinkle Khanna, Aishwarya and Kajol. This won her the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. Karisma took a step further by venturing into television, something that was uncommon for actresses at that time. Although the series did not hit the right note with audiences, she once again made her comeback with Dangerous Ishq. As the yummy mummy of Bollywood, she continues to endorse big brands and has also turned Radio jockey. This makes her a complete woman and a true inspiration for all Bollywood aspirants.



Vidya Balan- Her struggle was worth it! Much before Parineeta turned her into an overnight sensation, Vidya Balan had her share of ups and downs before making it to the top. At one point, she was termed as jinxed because all her projects in the South were either shelved or she would be replaced. That's when Vidya appeared in a series of commercials, a music video, a Bengali film Bhalo Theko and a TV series Hum Paanch before luck would change things for her. Even bagging Parineeta was not easy as she went through numerous auditions before being finalized.



But post Parineeta's success, nothing could stop her except a few bad films like Kismat Konnection and Salaam-E-Ishq. All the big directors signed Vidya for their projects. She went on to win four back to back Filmfare awards from 2010-2013 among several others. Vidya had come with a bang! Suddenly every one was taking notice of this actress who had well reached her thirties. In spite of doing women centric themes and films (No One Killed Jessica, Kahaani and The Dirty Picture), she became an A-lister and came in the top league of actors. Vidya remained unperturbed by the constant criticism about her weight and style in a fitness & glamour obsessed industry. She instead sought solace in saris and Sabyasachi became her favourite designer. Vidya recently tied the knot with UTV head honcho Sidhharth Roy Kapoor but being married has not stopped this actress from pursuing her career further. She will be seen in films like Ghanchakkar (2013) and Shaadi Ke Side Effects (2013).

Shah Rukh Khan queers Salman Khan’s Eid pitch

Posted: 08 Mar 2013 09:20 AM PST

Get ready for Eid, he says to the Chennai Express team at a meeting of stakeholders in Wai. Is Sallu listening?

It's official now. Shah Rukh Khan has staked his claim to the most coveted release date of the film calendar, which has been monopolised by Salman Khan so far. Chennai Express will be flagged off on the day of Eid, on August 8. This is the first time in years that SRK will release his film on the auspicious day that has seen Sallu storm the box office with Wanted, Bodyguard, Dabangg and Ek Tha Tiger.

With SRK traditionally dominating the Diwali slot, it was an unwritten code between the two stars that one will not eye the other's favourite time of the year. But trust SRK to throw caution to the wind.

The date for Chennai Express was finalised at a meeting held in Wai yesterday. TOI has learnt that Shah Rukh, who has been camping there for weeks now, called the various stakeholders to the set.

Among them were distributors, members of the production house, Rohit Shetty, Farah Khan, who has choreographed a song for the film, and music directors Vishal-Shekhar.

"Interesting thing about the conclave was, one did not know about the others who had been summoned," said a source. SRK, who was in a jubilant mood, broke the news to all present. "Get ready for Eid!" he reportedly said, to whoops of delight.

That Chennai Express would eventually release on Eid, had become increasingly apparent over the past few weeks. Salman's Sher Khan, announced as an Eid release, was shelved. His Mental is unlikely to get ready by that time. Bhansali wisely moved Ram Leela away from the collision course, to avoid a repeat of the OSO Saawariya story. That kept the slot open for Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai -2. Now that's hardly competition.

It remains to be seen if Salman's luck rubs off on his arch rival.
Posted by Sheik Azmol Haque Jony

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