Bollywood actresses to take centrestage with new releases

New Delhi: After the success of Vidya Balan starrer ‘Kahaani’, Bollywood is all set to witness the release of a number of films with women as the central protagonists.

While the last month saw the success of newcomers like Parineeti Chopra and Paoli Dam with films like ‘Ishaqzaade’ and ‘Hate Story’, the coming months will see actresses like Bipasha Basu, Kareena Kapoor, Preity Zinta, Sridevi and Rani Mukherjee vying for audience`s attention. August will see the release of Sunny Leone`s debut Bollywood film ‘Jism 2’ along with director-turned-actor Farah Khan`s sweet romantic comedy ‘Shirin Farhad ki Toh Nikal Padi’. Farah will have competition from Chitrangda Singh whose ‘Kaam-The Unofficial Story’ releases on the same day as the Sanjay Leela Bhansali production. "I was quite conscious about turning a heroine with `Shirin Farhad....`. After all, how can you have someone who is fat and in her 40s as the leading lady? However Sanjay trusted in me. In fact I was so nervous about even seeing the rushes of the film. All my apprehensions vanished when Sanjay gave me a nod of approval," Farah says about her much talked about acting debut. Sudhir Mishra has once again given Chitrangda a central part after his critically acclaimed films like ‘Hazaaron Khwaishen Aisi’ and ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’. The actress stars opposite Arjun Rampal in the film. "This has turned out to be a really intense film on sexual harassment at workplace. If the characterisation itself is quite tough to begin with, what makes it further challenging is the fact that Sudhir Mishra doesn`t settle for anything less than excellent," says Chitrangda. Madhur Bhandarkar is another director, who weaves strong character for women and he promises the same for Kareena Kapoor in ‘Heroine’. "It is the kind of film that would showcase Kareena in an different light. This is the kind of character that you get to play only once in your career. With the script being so powerful, Kareena is all set to shock many," says Bhandarkar. Vikram Bhatt, on his part, is looking forward to the release of ‘Raaz 3’ which will see Bipasha Basu share screen-space with Emraan Hashmi. "She was good in `Raaz` and now ten years down the line with `Raaz 3`, she has obviously matured further as an actress. We have been good friends all these years and never lost touch. With `Raaz 3`, it is pretty much a homecoming for both of us," says Vikram. Sridevi is making a comeback with ‘English Vinglish’. A bitter-sweet comedy, the film will face challenge from another actress vying for a return. Preity Zinta`s ‘Ishkq In Paris’ is releasing in the same week. Rani Mukherjee will be seen in ‘Aiyya’, which is slated to arrive in September. PTI