Sridevi: I am not grooming Jhanvi for films

Sridevi's performance in her comeback film English Vinglish has been widely acclaimed by audiences and critics. The actress, who has acted in a film after 15 years, is overwhelmed by the response.

Sonil Dedhia speaks to the stunning actress on her highly successful venture and future plans.

English Vinglish has been well received by audiences and is doing really well at the box office. Did you expect such a response?

I loved the script and decided quite blindly to do the film. I enjoyed my time shooting for it.

I expected people to like the film but I never thought it would become such a huge success. I am glad that audiences are now open to seeing good films.

In your glory days, your films were commercial box office successes. For your comeback, you have chosen a very different kind of film.

I loved the simplicity and the sensitivity of the character so never did it cross my mind that I was doing something different.

I don't think I need to prove myself again as I believe in my fans and I knew they would like my film.

There is already talk about a sequel to the film.

A lot of people have asked us to make a sequel. It all depends on Gauri (Shinde, director). As of now, nothing has been decided.

Will you now do more films at regular intervals?

No, not at all (laughs). My comeback was not a conscious decision. But I definitely want to do more films.

I am reading scripts and my husband (producer Boney Kapoor) told me that there are filmmakers who would like to work with me. I am taking things as they come.

Would you be open to doing cameos or special appearances?

If I really wanted to do that, I would have done it long time back. Why would I do it now? I want to do films that appeal to me.

Several actresses are doing films after a long break and none of them consider it a comeback. Do you think the term 'comeback' is unnecessary?

I don't understand why there is so much stress on the word 'comeback'. We don't consider our films as a comeback because we never went anywhere.

We were not a part of any film but we were very much a part of the industry, and the audiences would see us making lots of public appearances.

You were and still are in a very enviable space in the industry. Are there any actresses you envy?

Meryl Streep is my favourite actress. She always looks to her character and this quality of hers is something that I have always envied. I don't know how she performs so many difficult characters with such ease.

In Bollywood, I am a big fan of Nargis.  

Films show quite 'bold' content these days. Do you think this is because audiences have started accepting it?

Times have definitely changed. Today, audiences are more mature and accept this content.

If a film like The Dirty Picture was made some years ago, I am sure it would have faced a lot of problems. Today, the same film is seen in a positive light.

In English Vinglish, you played a mother, who is very concerned about her children. In real life, when the media writes about your elder daughter Jhanvi, does it concern you?

I am a very protective and possessive mother. I feel daughters, after a certain age, become friends.

I love playing tennis with my daughter and sometimes if she doesn't have school, she likes to accompany me to my yoga class and gym. We like to dress up together and spend time together.

It doesn't mean I am trying to push her or groom her for films. When we read the things written about us, we just laugh it off. I can't stop people thinking or writing what they want to.

You were always a good dancer. Would you do item numbers?

I wouldn't give my fans such a big surprise by doing an item number (laughs).

I don't know why people call some songs 'item numbers'. I would call them special songs and would be open to doing special songs.