WHERE IS THE SUPERHEROINE IN TELUGU CINEMA GONE?

What has happened to the superheroine in Telugu cinema? There was a time when the likes of Sri Devi and Vijayashanti strode the silver screen with the dare devilry of any hero. And even actors like Jagapati Babu played second fiddle to them.

They were followed by Soundarya, who excelled in the role of a superheroine in her own way in family subjects. Remember how she stole the limelight even from actors like Venkatesh and Nagarjuna in some of the films like Pavitrabandham and Nuvvostavani?

To some extent, Simran too did shine bright with some good roles on par with the heroes of her time.

But today, it is a different ball game altogether, what with every actor worth his name -- from Gopichand to Chiranjeevi -- has assumed the superhero avatar, reducing the heroine to a prop. We have woman-oriented films like Missamma, but Bhumika is no superheroine in the film, though she gets to essay a wonderful role to perfection.

Is it because the subjects which revolve round real estate wars and faction politics don't have a place for superheroines? It is time to ponder over the death of the superheroine.

'GORGEOUS-AS-EVER' SRIDEVI GETS READY TO HIT THE SCREEN LIKE A TSUNAMI ONCE AGAIN

The 'thunder thighs' girl from Andhra, who went on to carve a place for herself in the hearts of the Hindi audiences, is back once again. And if you see the photographs (below) you would agree with us that she hasn't even a wee bit of her sizzle. She continues to be ravishing and raunchy as ever.

The fact of her comeback to Hindi cinema has been confirmeed by none other than her producer-husband Boney Kapoor. Says he, "We're certainly putting together a project that will hopefully do full justice to Sri's comeback. I'm aware her fans haven’t changed their loyalties. As for Madhuri, she is in many ways a product of our production house. She did some of her finest films like Pukar for me. Both Sri and I are very proud of her."

Boney has just returned from a 5-week tour of the US and Russia looking for virgin locations for his wife's comeback project.

The return of the screen goddess has been in the pipeline for months now. But now when Madhuri Dixit who at one time was Sridevi's closest competitor, has almost completed work on her comeback film Aaja Nachle, the mood in the Boney camp regarding the stunning Sri's return is upbeat.

Says a source, "If Madhuri can be re-launched with such style by Yashraj Films why not Sri? With Aaja Nachle almost complete, Boney Kapoor has decided to speeden up his still-gorgeous wife's comeback project."

In fact, some years ago Yashraj was all set to re-launch Sridevi's career. That project fell through.

Boney is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that Sridevi, last seen in Boney's Judaai ten years ago, is brought back in style.


CHECK OUT FOR MORE OF THE SENHSUOUS SRIDEVI IN THE NEXT POST

ASIN TALKS BIG, AND CAN'T STOP TALKING: WILL SOMEONE TELL HER TO SHUT UP AND PUT UP?

Asin, who has wowed the South Indian audiences with her mesmerising beauty and her acting talent, has been consistent in one thing: teaming up with all the top actors. She has acted with almost all of them in Telugu -- Balakrishna, Venkatesh, Nagarjuna, Pawan Kalyan, Ravi Teja -- you name the star and she has done films with them. Without exception. Maybe Mahesh Babu looks a little too young besides her, which is why he hadn't opted her in his films, and it will take some time for Chiranjeevi to realise her potential.

Not just Tollywood, she is even a name to reckon with in Kollywood -- the Tamily film industry. And now she is pairing opposite Aamir Khan and she is on cloud 9. And she can't help boasting. "Everyone has been saying that after Hema Malini and Sri Devi, I will be as popular in the country." It's a little too much Asin, without even finishing your first film in Bollywood. We know you have the talent and the looks, but they make a good combination when it is tempered with modesty.

Why only Bollywood, she throws around names like Hollywood too. "Wherever I go, whether it is Bollywood or Hollywood, I will still remain Asin," says she. But who wanted you change, Asin?

She also claims that she is not apprehensive about anyone stealing her position in the Telugu film industry. What position does she enjoy in the Telugu film industry today? None. Because the likes of Ileana have pushed her out of the scene long time back. And, as far as we know, no Tollywood filmmaker is planning to cast her against the top heroes her.

It is not difficult to fathom her big airs. Right now, she is doing Dasavataram with Kamal Hassan, apart from Aamir Khan, which explains her haughty talk.