Women back in Bollywood¿s scheme of things

Women back in Bollywood¿s scheme of things

by Subhash K. Jha,
Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Nov 2 (IANS) Indian film "Asoka" stars actor-producer Shah Rukh Khan, but female lead Kareena Kapoor, who has been given equal footage in the movie, steals the limelight. Here¿s a marquee queen and probably the highest-paid actress of Indian cinema who¿s doing the seemingly impossible. Kareena is venturing into "man¿s world."

In an era of onscreen machismo, the actress is playing the title role in producer Boney Kapoor¿s "Khushi," with actor Fardeen Khan supporting her. What¿s more, she has reportedly been hired for a whopping Rs.15 million as against Fardeen¿s Rs.12.5 million. Shooting happily for "Khushi" and Suneel Darshan¿s "Talaash," Kareena seems determined to change gender equations of Hindi cinema.

Though her film with director Subhash Ghai -- "Yaadein" -- flopped, he has offered her a film in which she plays a double role. Arjun Rampal plays a supporting role in this woman-centric film.

Two years ago, Rampal had said no to Rahul Rawail when the director wanted to cast him opposite Kajol, who played twins in his film "Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi."

Actress Shilpa Shetty, while promoting her latest film, Sunny Deol¿s "Indian," had said that while she would love to do a women-oriented role, "let¿s face it, right now women are not central to films. If they are, the films don¿t run."

That Kajol¿s film "Kuch Khatti..." was a box-office disaster, as were Kareena¿s sister Karisma Kapoor¿s efforts in Shyam Benegal¿s critically acclaimed "Zubeidaa," supports her claim. Even filmmaker Raj Kumar Santoshi¿s "Lajja" did not set cash registers ringing despite showcasing four screen goddesses.

But things seem to be changing. And if director Madhur Bhandarkar¿s "Chandni Bar" is an indication, there¿s much reason to celebrate. With only actress Tabu to boost its prospects, "Chandni Bar" is raking in big bucks at the Mumbai box office.

Director Ram Gopal Varma said: "Imagine a film with only Tabu as attraction doing so well! Unimaginable a few years ago." A year back Tabu¿s battle of the sexes in Mahesh Manjrekar¿s "Astitva" came to nought when the film sank without a trace.

Filmmaker Hansal Mehta said: "If people in Mumbai are clamouring to see ¿Chandni Bar¿ it¿s because of Tabu. She imparts a strong sense of serenity and power to the storytelling. Today, we can safely say she leads the heroines¿ pack."

Raveena, whose film on marital rape "Daman" flopped but won her a National Award, said: "It can¿t be a mere co-incidence that I¿m being offered so many heroine-oriented film. None of my films feature me as props."

South Indian filmmaker Rajiv Menon had made a Tamil film about sisters "Kandukondain Kandukondain" with Tabu and Aishwarya Rai, which did extremely in the Hindi-film belt, especially Mumbai.