Sridevi Interview – English Vinglish

Sridevi who has acted in more than 250 films, returns after 15 long years with ‘English Vinglish’.

The “Hawa Hawaii” girl, who did scores of films in the south before making her mark in Bollywood with critically acclaimed portrayals in diverse films such as “Sadma” and “Lamhe”, has won four Filmfare awards – Hindi movies “Chaalbaaz” and “Lamhe”, Tamil film “Meendum Kokila” and Telugu venture “Kshana Kshanam”. But she’s not completely satisfied.

“There is a lot more to do,” she says “I have not done much as an actor. There is no end for an artist and my best is yet to come. There are more creative characters to play which has no limits,” she added.

She is ready for another stint as the lead in Gauri Shinde’s directorial debut “English Vinglish”, releasing Oct 5, playing an Indian housewife in the US struggling to overcome the language barrier and identity issues.

Acting is her forte but direction is a complete no, says the actress who is married to director-producer Boney Kapoor. The couple has two daughters, one 15 and the other 12 years old.

“Direction and all is not my cup of tea. It’s not an easy job,” she said, adding that she is familiar with production, thanks to her husband, but doesn’t understand the box-office number game.

“I believe in good films and bad films. Box-office business and all is my husband’s section. Sometimes I really get surprised when good films don’t do well… Sometimes you are really shocked when an average film does very well,” she said.

A good script helps a film connect with the audiences, asserts the actress.

“It’s the script that should appeal. Script is the hero. Of course, there is a different category now like Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan – their aura itself works for them. Besides that, each picture should have a strong script,” she said.

She may be returning to the arclights after 15 years but doesn’t want to tag it a comeback movie.

“I never felt I was out of this industry. I don’t term it as my comeback. Even when I used to go out, my fans used to always ask me, ‘When will we see you?’ I am so glad and thankful to my fans that I was always there in their hearts and they never forgot me.”

The actress belies her age and looks absolutely fit. The secret, she says, is just being happy.

“Love gives me the energy. There is no secret; whatever you are inside that will reflect on your face. Just be happy and positive. Every morning just look for the basic things. You have to be happy from within and enjoy. Exercise, yoga, and systematic life definitely helps you, but basically you have to be happy.”