Bollywood Masala Mix
Sridevi, Bollywood's leading lady of the 1980s and '90s who redefined stardom for actresses in India, has died at age 54.
The actress was described as the first female superstar in India's male-dominated film industry. She used one name onscreen, like many leading ladies of her generation, and was known for her comic timing and her dancing skills, a great asset in the song-and-dance melodramas that are a staple of mainstream Indian cinema.
Sridevi died on Saturday February 24 in Dubai due to accidental drowning according to a statement released by Dubai Police. She had been in Dubai to attend a wedding in her extended family.
Indian political leaders and entertainers posted condolences and recollections of her work, with many colleagues and fans expressing shock at the sudden news.
"Woken up to this tragic news. Absolute shock. Sad," tweeted Rishi Kapoor, her co-star in the 1989 film "Chandni," or "Moonlight," in which Sridevi played a woman choosing between two loves.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences too. "Saddened by the untimely demise of noted actor Sridevi. She was a veteran of the film industry, whose long career included diverse roles and memorable performances," he tweeted.
Sridevi began acting as a child in regional cinema in India's south and made her debut in Hindi-alanguage Bollywood films in the late '70s.
Other famous roles included "Mr. India," in which she played a reporter, and "Lamhe," or "Moments," a 1991 film in which she played dual roles of mother and teenage daughter.
Her impeccable comic timing and her dancing skills were front and center in "Chaalbaaz," or "Game Player," in 1989, where she played twins separated at birth.
She shared the screen with some of Indian cinema's most iconic leading men, from Amitabh Bachchan to Shahrukh Khan. Another co-star was Anil Kapoor, her brother-in-law who was known in the West for his role in "Slumdog Millionaire."
Sridevi childhood friend Pinky Reddy has revealed some heart-wrenching details of her last conversation with the actress.
"I have lost a sister. We met when we were 8-years-old and became close friends. My father was one of the co-producers of Chandni (1989), so I have seen her professional rise. It [her demise] is shocking. We are devastated," Pinky Reddy told Mid-Day.
She also added that Sridevi wasn't feeling well when she left for Mohit Marwah's wedding: "I spoke to her the day she was leaving for Dubai. She was down with fever and was on antibiotics. She was feeling tired, but she said that she has to go for the wedding."
When Mid-Day asked her about the sensational coverage that electronic media has done on Sridevi's death, Pinky said: "It hurts me that people are making her death into such a joke. The messages [being circulated] make me angry. People are saying that she underwent liposuction and took fat burners. Why can't people remember the good things about her instead of talking about all this? After she has gone, how can they even utter such mean and vile things? I spoke to Boney [Kapoor] yesterday, he is shattered."
Talking about Sridevi's relationship with her husband Boney Kapoor, Pinky told Mid-Day: "They were such a lovey-dovey couple. I doubt if they ever had fights. They were in love and were so happy together. Such things shouldn't be said at such an unfortunate time."
Recalling her memory with Sridevi, Pinky concluded by saying: "She had specially flown down to Hyderabad for two hours to attend my daughter's baby shower [last November]. Can you imagine that? That was the last time I saw her."
Sridevi stopped acting for several years after her marriage to film producer Boney Kapoor but made a well-received comeback in 2012 with "English Vinglish," a nuanced performance about a middle-aged woman learning English to fit in better with her family.
Her last performance was the 2017 film "Mom," where she played a woman seeking vengeance after her stepdaughter is raped.
She is survived by her husband and two daughters.
At the Economic Times Global Business Summit 2018, Shah Rukh Khan spoke about the digital push in Bollywood. Highlighting the fact that India is one of the greatest untapped markets in digital consumerism, he said, "The dynamics of selling a film, of attracting viewers to it and even of critiquing it are going to change drastically."
However, the actor said that ideas and storytelling will remain intrinsic to filmmaking. "Ideas ensnare emotions. Emotions can create or destroy civilizations. So we have to sell the right ideas," said SRK.
Digitisation of content, according to SRK, is the biggest change that the entertainment world has seen in the recent past. Talking about how it will affect films, particularly Bollywood films, in future, the actor said, "There will be a radical movement away from the content itself. Movies are going to be shorter. They will be without intervals." So, will song and dance be a thing of past in Bollywood? "We can retain our songs and dances, it's our USP. But films have to be tighter. People do not have time, and investment of time is the biggest investment one makes today. So we need to adapt to that," said SRK.
Just like content, the actor believes that movie viewing itself will change, thanks to the advent of technology – be it in terms of smartphones and tablets on which one consumes cinema or the digital platforms that churn out exclusive content. "There will be no need for appointment with cinema. Cinema will be at will, you can watch it whenever you want to watch, wherever you want to watch. However, I don't think cinema halls will close down. But it will be much more exclusive and much more expensive, it will be like Broadway theatre."
Shah Rukh believes that a democratic process will evolve, because of digitisation of content, that will ensure that big production houses no longer call the shots. The actor explained, "Due to the easy flow of ideas in digital world, power will not be restricted in the hands of me or other big production houses. There will be a more democratic process via which you will understand the demand that's there for a kind of cinema. The audience will straightaway give feedback, as it is already happening in the digital film platforms." He added, "Instead of stories based on physical geographical boundaries, they are going to be based more on social, psychological geography. This will be so as everyone will be available to exchange ideas on the digital world."
So can we expect SRK to do a film for the digital platform? "Why not? Platform is not important for acting. For a true blue actor, which I believe I am, you just need a stage. I have done TV, theatre…I have risen from there. They were not just stepping stones. So the platform does not take away from the importance of acting," said SRK, while replying to a question at the event.
According to SRK, we are looking at a future where a movie buff can change the course of a film's narrative, depending on his personal interest. "There is going to be a big change in the viewer and how he watches a film. Soon, a movie is going to become interactive. You can change the ending. You can change the characters. For instance, you are watching the same film with your children, but each of you can change the storyline. All this will add value to entertainment," he explained.
The annual 'Political and Public Life Awards', now in its 12th year, recognize individuals who have made a significant impact on public life or made a difference in their local communities.
The ceremony at the Members' Dining Room in the House of Commons building last Thursday evening was attended by parliamentarians, business and community leaders besides members of the UK Armed Forces as they braved extreme weather conditions and travel disruptions caused by days of snowfall across Britain.
"Confidence brings commitment, commitment brings determination, determination brings devotion, and when you have commitment, determination and devotion, besides confidence, then you get passion," Sinha, said in his acceptance speech.
"In this competitive world you have to prove yourself to be better than the best. If you are unable to prove yourself to be better than the best, at least try and be different from the rest," he said, adding that the award had given him the opportunity to visit the "historic" Palace of Westminster for the first time.
Sinha, who started his career as an actor in late 1960s, has to his credit over 225 Hindi feature films besides several in other Indian languages. A member of the ruling BJP, he represents Bihar state's Patna Sahib constituency in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament. Among the other winners of the year included Pakistani-origin UK Cabinet minister Sajid Javid, who was named Cabinet Minister of the Year.
"It's very fitting to receive the honour in this setting, the home of our democracy, our cherished freedoms, the freedoms that have made us one of the most open and tolerant countries in the world. A country that just does not celebrate diversity but we actively thrive on the diversity of our country," said Javid, UK's Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
He dedicated his award to his parents, who he described as 'heroes' for taking great risks to come to the UK to build a better future.