What the Babitas, Neetu Singhs and Jaya Bhaduris of yesteryears could not do, Ms Dixit-Nene, Ms Chawla and Ms Kapoor (aka Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla and Sridevi) have done with aplomb.

 

They have barged into the Mumbai movie top slot even after happily settling down in marriage, kids, and after been confidently 'written-off' by filmdom as actresses be-gone!

 

If the box office successes are to be believed, with Madhuri-Juhi Jodi’s Gulaab Gang, Mrs Nene’s Dedh Ishqiya and Sridevi’s English Vinglish, their invasion is enough to give the Deepikas, the Katrinas and the Priyankas, aka the reigning queens of Bollywood, enough reasons to have sleepless nights.

 

Both Madhuri and Juhi insist that they were always around. Yes, of course. Madhuri had made a 'comeback' (she will grimace at this) with Aaja Nachle in 2007, but the film went down rather unceremoniously. Juhi had several 'supporting' roles after Phir Bhi Dil Hain Hindustani in 2000, but nothing compares to her attempt at a negative lead role for the first time, as the super villain of Gulaab Gang. And Sridevi's English Vinglish was a safe, non-controversial 'comeback' film, which broke all records.

For Madhuri, Dedh Ishqiya and now Gulaab Gang has actually put her in the league above all else.

Ask her about her 'comeback' and she frowns, "I wonder why nobody ever says that Aamir Khan is making a comeback when he does a film after four years. Why is it reserved only for the ladies? Thankfully, in Gulaab Gang, we are not defined by any male hero. As for my comeback in Bollywood, well you see, comeback keeps happening. First it was with Aaja Nach Le. And then after few years, I came back again with Dedh Ishqiya and then of course the item song in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. That way my come back happened so many times. So I am happy with the pace. It is just that the role has to be good enough that will excite me. Otherwise I will not do it. And I am lucky nowadays in the industry trend is something where I fit in for roles like Rajjo (Gulaab Gang)."

 

For Juhi Chawla, her last lead role was in 2000 in Aziz Mirza's Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, though she continued to appear in commendable roles post her marriage to industrialist, Jay Mehta, and two children. She never really retired. But with Gulaab Gang, her precocious smile twitching into a villanious one, and her mellifluous voice turning evil, is something to watch out for.

 

Juhi herself was surprised that she was even considered for the negative role, and will be watching out for reactions from the audience and critics. "When I was offered Gulaab Gang I was surprised as this will be the first time I am doing a villainous character," she says.  "Gulaab Gang has a strong message, that of women empowerment. When I read the script, it was great, but by the end of it, I said 'Why will I do this role? People will not believe me if I do this role'. But, finally, when I took it on, I thought it will be fun to do something different, I am really glad I am being accepted as a villain today. I was scared whether people will accept me this way or start laughing on my dialogues."

 

Sridevi, child-sexy actress who stormed Bollywood during the 90s, retired with husband, Boney Kapoor, and settled into domestic life with two daughters. Her unsuccessful attempt at a comeback in early 2000s with the sitcom, Mrs Malini Iyer, was a dud. But she did make a compensation with Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish in 2012, hitting huge the international circuit at the prime age of 49, and winning accolades for her role as a housewife who enrolls in an English-speaking course to stop her husband and daughter mocking her lack of English skills.

The film earned global acclaim at several international festivals across the world and Sridevi was hailed as the 'Meryl Streep of India'.