A decade ago, the word ‘comeback’ was uttered probably with a smirk, especially if it referred to the re-entry of heroines, but things have changed pretty drastically now.
Many yesteryear actresses have made bold comebacks and many more are joining the bandwagon. However, they too have hurdles to cross. The latest to make a comeback is Jyothika, who was last seen on screen in Mozhi (2004) and is back now with 36 Vayadhinale , remake of the Malayalam film How Old Are You? Jyothika had taken a break from films after she married actor Suriyaa.
Nadiya, a pioneer of sorts as far as this trend goes, re-entered Tamil cinema after a gap of 16 years, with M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi , playing the role of a mother to the protagonist.
She went on to do several films and shows after that. “It took me two days to get into the groove. Things have really progressed since I left. My only worry was the intensity with which I could express on screen,” she says.
One can scarcely omit Sridevi’s English Vinglish while speaking of comebacks. This versatile actress appeared on screen after a 15-year hiatus and wowed audiences as a middle-aged Indian housewife who comes into her own after she takes an English-speaking course in New York.
Incidentally, Sridevi is all set to make a comeback to Kollywood, after decades, with Puli , starring Vijay, Shruti Haasan and Hansika Motwani.
“Feminism is becoming popular nowadays and the audience wants more. Women-centric stories are new and the new holds a lot of promise,” says Venkatesh Chakravarthy of L.V. Prasad Studios.
Nadiya agrees. “Sridevi, Jyothika and I were very lucky to get women-centric roles. Such roles are far more challenging and satisfying,” she says.
Actor Kasthuri too made special appearances in several films.
Tamil audiences are also waiting for Kamal Haasan’s Papanasam , which features Gauthami in her re-entry opposite the star.
When Saranya Ponvannan, who made her debut opposite Kamal in the epic Nayakan , returned from her eight-year sabbatical, Tamil cinema discovered a wonderful comedian in her.
“Their star career still holds value. The opening audiences are going to be there because of the star attraction these actors hold,” says Mr Chakravarthy.
Nadiya says, “I still had my fans from the past who accepted and applauded me in my second stint. My comeback film fared marvellously, even with teenagers. I gained the admiration of the younger generations and that is very hard to do.”