Heroine on top

Submitted by starblockbuster on Sat, 2013-12-21 02:04
Is the heroine the new hero? Even after a disappointing turn at the BO this year, B-Town still pins its hopes on a spate of woman-centric projects in 2014
 by Lipika Varma and Pranav Mankermi
he Dirty Picture (2011) set a precedent while Kahaani (2012) confirmed the trend. However, even after all the elation about the success of these films, the audiences weren’t too kind to heroine-centric films like Heroine or Rajjo in 2013. But along comes a Ram-Leela with the heroine in the driving seat and the tide turns again. The industry is again optimistic about female-oriented films. 
Says Vinay Choksi, distributor of Ragini MMS, “Very few women oriented films have done well at the box office, but the market is definitely changing. If the content is exuberant, the film will do well.”
For instance Kahaani released in approximately 1,100 screens worldwide and grossed a whopping ` 59 crore at the box office. It was made at a modest budget of ` 8 crore. Girish Wankhede, chief exhibitor for Kahaani endorses, “It had a versatile actress like Vidya Balan as well  as good content, hence the film did very well.”
Another film exhibitor, Manoj Desai points out, “In my experience of Bollywood, whenever there is a Khan film, the theatres are running packed but with female-centric films, there are fewer audiences. However, the mindset is slowly changing, thanks to word-of-mouth publicity.”
 
Clearly it is a thought that our film industry agrees upon. Bollywood has lined up more than half a dozen A-list women oriented films for release throughout next year and early 2015. 2014 will begin with Madhuri Dixit Nene making a powerful comeback with Gulab Gang while Priyanka Chopra has learnt the nuances of Manipuri dialect to perfect her onscreen character of boxer Mary Kom that is to release mid-2014. 
 
Here’s a look at some of the most-anticipated women-centric films of 2014.
 
Madhuri Dixit, 
Gulaab Gang, Expected release: March 7, 2014
After her multiple comebacks didn’t work well, Madhuri Dixit Nene is set to try her luck with another power packed film with Gulaab Gang. Welcoming the change in perspective, she says, “Female actresses are no longer decorative additions in the film. Earlier films always saw women as a victim or a revenge-seeker, but now she is being presented in a positive light with a strong character.” Gulaab Gang is inspired from the true story of Sampat Pal, who took the initiative of fighting against social injustice with her female team, Gulabi Gang. Encouraging the idea, Madhuri says, “My character is important in the film.” Joining Madhuri in this rebellious group of women is another ace actress Juhi Chawla. This film is directed by Soumik Sen and is set to release next year. Eager to tell the world the story of competitive women, producer Anubhav Sinha says, “With such projects we need to let the world know about the strong potential that women of our country possess.” 
Vidya Balan
Bobby Jasoos, Expected release
After the lame Ghanchakkar, Vidya Balan will now be seen as a lady detective in ‘Bobby Jasoos’. She will be an intelligent ‘desi’ sleuth who uses disguises to investigate her cases. A simpleton in the film, Vidya carriers a canvas backpack around for her sleuthing duties. She was recently shot in Hyderabad, dressed up as a beggar with huge beard; Vidya did an exceptional job of fooling the audiences, and it is said that more of such instances will follow. A special set has been erected in Hyderabad for the complete shooting of Bobby Jasoos, directed by Samar Shaikh and produced by Dia Mirza and her beau Sahil Sangha. Actress turned producer Dia said, “I feel more and more women oriented subjects need to be made. Hence we also decided to release a female lead film and intend it to publicise it as such too.”
Priyanka Chopra 
Mary Kom, Expected release: Mid-2014
Priyanka Chopra will play the onscreen avatar of celebrated boxer Mary Kom. She has been training vigorously for boxing and also to get into physique of the sportsperson. Also, with the help of prosthetics, Piggy Chops will get transformed into Mary Kom for reel. This actress is also learning Manipuri for the biopic.  Priyanka says, “It is the need of the hour to portray powerful female characters in our movies. Such films do well at the box office. My biopic on Olympian boxer and icon Mary Kom is a strong subject. I am sure it will do good business too.” 
 
Kangna Ranaut 
Revolver Rani, Expected release: March-April 2014
Kangna Ranaut will wield the gun in an upcoming woman centric film titled, Revolver Rani. She is known to play bold female characters in films like Tanu Weds Manu, Gangster and Fashion. Hence Kangna seemed the best choice for this character. It  was reportedly first offered to Tabu. Kangna plays a female outlaw and revolver shooting will be her speciality in the movie. For her hardcore gangster character, Kangna had to take up lessons in handling an actual revolver. The basic story of Revolver Rani will be a revenge saga set in Hindi heartland.
 
Rani Mukerji
Mardani, Expected release: July 18, 2014
Bollywood’s versatile actress, Rani Mukerji will sport a gutsy avatar of a police officer in Yash Raj Film’s Mardani. Rani Mukherji, known for her sensuous image, will ditch the sexiness and adopt a uniform look. Going the tough way, Rani will pick up the guns and impress her fans with some super action. A trainer has been assigned to the actress to shed the extra pounds and get in shape. Rani will also be practising for some raw action sequences. Ace filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar will be calling the shots.  In the past, actresses Priyanka Chopra have portrayed a seductive cop in Don 2, however Rani will be more tough in her approach.
Sunny Leone 
Ragini MMS2, Expected release: March 21, 2014
Adult star Sunny Leone will be seen in Ragini MMS 2. The film is a sequel to the horror franchise, but Sunny will set the temperature soaring as a hot and sexy Bollywood actress in the movie. Bhushan Patel’s Ragini MMS 2 is being touted as a film with a clever combination of horror and sex. Sunny Leone’s spine chilling sequences have a heavy dose of skin show. Producer Ekta Kapoor explains the need for such a ‘horr-ex’ film in today’s day as she says, “Visual effects in such a movie are of vital importance. After the success of the first film, expectations were raised. Hence we promise the audience most sexiest and scariest experience with Sunny Leone.” Newbie Sahil Prem will debut opposite her.