Shah Rukh to recreate Mogambo

After his tremendous performance as a villain in “Baazigar” and “Darr”, Shah Rukh Khan may again be seen as a villain in a film.

SRK has reportedly been offered the role of Mogambo in the sequel to “Mr. India”.

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur is presently working on the sequel, which is titled “Mr. India 2”. Shekhar, who is very close to Shah Rukh, is said to have made this offer to him.

It will be a role of a lifetime for Shah Rukh if he accepts the offer.

Mogambo was earlier played by the late Amrish Puri and to date remains one of the most iconic negative characters in a Bollywood film. Puri’s performance, especially the line “Mogambo khush hua”, is still remembered by the masses.

Shekhar short-listed Shah Rukh as the actor has given noteworthy performances as a villain and Shekhar feels no one can do better justice to Mogambo’s role than SRK.

Anil Kapoor and Sridevi will also be seen in “Mr. India 2”.

Now we are awaiting Shah Rukh's answer, which we hope be in the affirmative.

Hunt's on for Mogambo in Mr. India sequel

The hit 1987 film, Mr.India, was a huge hit at the box-office and now so after 21 years the makers have decided to make the sequel to the film. The original Arun (Anil Kapoor) and Seema(Sri Devi) have been finalized. But now the directors and producers are looking for their Mogambo which was originally played by the late Amrish Puri.

"The sequel is still in the scripting stage. This film will be heavily loaded by special effects. There are two couples – the older couple will be Anil Kapoor and Sri Devi and the young couple's casting process is on. We will have decided on them in the next three months or so once Anurag (Basu) completes Kites," says the source, "While the other casting is still not finalized as we are in talks with Aftab Shivdasani as he was a part of Mr. India as well."

However, the most difficulty the crew is having is in casting someone to replace Amrish Puri as Mogambo.

"Amrish Puri is still fresh in everyone's mind and so we need someone who can match up to him. We need someone who will be a lot more cunning and evil," says the source.

The idols who have influenced Sonam's life

Chirpy Sonam names the idols who have influenced her life and acting style apart from her papa, who’s her “mentor, philosopher and guide” and manages her contracts and deals:

Waheeda Rehman:
Gorgeous dancer, stunning looker and a whammy performer, she really had the goods. Her snake dance in Guide is Sonam’s all-time favourite and she “envies” her for being Guru Dutt’s heroine.

Rekha:
Her enduring “aura” and magnificent screen presence fascinates Sonam.

Sridevi:
She’s impressed with Sri’s “sheer range” which is amply displayed in Sadma and Chaalbaaz.

Salman Khan:
When her childhood star turned her hero, she knew that Lady Luck was beaming upon her. Sonam is awed by his “complete dedication” to cinema.

Shaan:
Believe it or not, during her college days Sonam “simply worshipped” singer Shaan and doted on his Lovology album.

Screen India

After Mads,it's Sridevi!

Though Madhuri Dixit’s Aaja Nachle didn’t set the BO on fire, it re-enthused producer Boney Kapoor into designing his stunning wife Sridevi’s return to Bollywood.

The actress who gave up the limelight in 1997 after marriage and two babies, is now at a place in life where she is comfortable with the idea of returning to films.

Said a close friend, “Sri began working at the age of six. When she got married she had no interest left in pursuing a career. But now that her daughters are growing up, she’s open to doing a film a year.”

Boney confirmed the idea, saying, “Sri’s comeback is certainly on the cards. I’d be foolish not to utilise the talents of one of our best and most beautiful actresses when she’s right here at home.”

But now post–Madhuri’s return, Sridevi’s comeback is imminent. Madhuri at one time was considered Sridevi’s closest rival. “I won’t say Sri and Madhuri were rivals. Madhuri was in many ways our resident actress. She did some of her best films with my brother Anil. We are looking at a couple of scripts very seriously. The film for Sridevi should be happening next year,” revealed Boney.

Subash K Jha, TNN

Bollywood's comeback star-heroines!

Sandeep Hattangadi looks at our yesteryear heroines who are all making a comeback to the silver screen!
It is generally believed that a female actor’s career is over once she gets married and has kids. But the recent trend proves otherwise! Kajol’s comeback film, Fanaa is a huge hit. Juhi Chawla is going strong with sensitive performances in films like Teen Deewarein, Paheli, and My Brother Nikhil. Sridevi has proved herself on television and is all set to star in a sequel to Mr India. Madhuri Dixit is all geared up for her comeback film in her secretary Rakesh Nath’s project. Karisma Kapoor is on the lookout for a good script for her comeback film. Raveena Tandon too is eager to sign new films.
The previous generation of heroines too is coming back in a big way in character roles. Poonam Dhillon is a stage star with successful plays and is contemplating television & films. Padmini Kolhapure too turned to stage first and progressed to Marathi films until Karan Razdan’s Hawas came her way. Rati Agnihotri too is a stage veteran with meaty character roles in films like Kucch Khatti Kucch Meethi, Hum Tum, Yeh Hai Jalwa, Kyun Ho Gaya Naa. Sarika is also into her second innings with films like Sacred Evil, and Parzania. Roja girl Madhoo is also scouting for good roles. Rukshaar, who starred in films like Yaad Rakhegi Duniya made a successful comeback in films like ‘D’, and ‘Sarkaar’. Zeenat Aman starred in a successful stage adaptation of The Graduate and starred opposite Rajesh Khanna in Jaana.
The latest to join the bandwagon is Anita Raaj, who is making a comeback in Sahil Chhadha’s Thodi Life Thoda Magic opposite Jackie Shroff and Arbaaz Khan after a 16-year hiatus. Golden oldies like Waheeda Rehman, Sharmila Tagore, and Tanuja are still going strong with the quintessential “mother” roles. Sahil Chaddha, former model and actor-turned producer of Anita Raaj’s comeback vehicle says, “Anita Raaj plays a very today’s woman in Thodi Life Thoda Magic. She’s a lady boss and she fits the role and look perfectly. I feel this film will prove to be a successful comeback for her.”
Looking at the trend, Komal Nahta, Editor-Film Information, says, “A few years back this scenario wouldn’t have been possible but now the audience is more receptive to married heroines who are mothers in real life because the audience identifies with the character on screen and not what they are in personal life as it is with the heroes. Therefore I feel that the comeback movies of Madhuri and Karisma will be as successful as Kajol’s.” Deepa Gahlot; eminent film critic opines, “I don’t see this as a trend because actresses who have been serious about their careers have always been in the fray like Hema Malini, Shabana Azmi, Moushmi Chatterrjee, Sadhana, and Sharmila Tagore, who were still reigning after marriage. I cannot predict about Madhuri and Karisma’s comeback because that depends on the project they take up. If it’s something like Kajol’s Fanaa, then they will definitely be successful”. So let’s hope all these female actors gain their stardom and no ‘Sunset Boulevard’ in Bollywood!

Sridevi has lost weight for her comeback in the sequel to Mr India

Post marriage and children, Sridevi shied away from the limelight to the comfort of her home. However, the grapevine has been rife with rumours about the actress's alleged comeback with Mr India 2. And the fact that the actress has shed six kilos only validates this.

Recently, the actress was spotted at a social gathering, where she looked stunningly slim in a westernwear. When we contacted Sridevi's trainer Shereveer, he confirmed. "Yes, Sridevi is definitely much slimmer these days. She is very sincere when it comes to working out. She follows a strict diet regime and never compromises on her health. For example, if I ask her to drink one glass of fresh lime juice for the whole day, she will do so happily without complaining," says Shereveer. "I don't think she was excessively overweight at any point. But after her pregnancy, she had put on weight, something she is working on. Now she has a toned body. I think she will look great on screen if she decides to make a comeback," he adds.

The actress did free-hand exercises and weights to tone up. Known to be a stickler for perfection, she followed her regime diligently. "I have seen how she manages her time. Most people skip exercise for their other commitments. But not Sridevi, although she was not acting in films, she works out religiously. She follows diet-charts and maintains her weight. She is one of those obedient students," says Shereveer.

"She is graceful and I am happy that she is looking great. We have all admired her as an actress and it will be great if she decides to make a comeback," he says.

Incidentally, Shereveer started training Sridevi while Anil Kapoor was working in Pukar. "I have been Anil's personal trainer and I am still with him. It was during the shooting of Pukar that I got introduced to her," he says.

Allegedly, the actress is expected to make a comeback in Nikhil Advani's Mr India 2, a sequel produced by brother-in-law Anil Kapoor.