Bollywood, as we know, is a male-dominated industry. Women, unfortunately, are mostly used as pretty dolls or eye candy in the movies with not much space to show their acting abilities. But once in a while, there comes a hurricane of talent that makes people take notice and make way.
Sridevi was once such hurricane. Not only did she flex her acting muscle on the screen but also managed to carry an entire movie on her shoulders. No one can ever forget her charismatic and powerhouse performance in Chalbaaz. What talent!
But after her, Bollywood actresses stuck to their usual dancing around trees dressing as scantily as possible and falling in love with the hero for no logical reason. And also play the role of damsel in distress.
But recently I noticed a powerhouse similar to Sridevi emerge on the silver screen. Dashing, fearless and acting that will make you fall in love with the character. It’s none other than Tapsee Pannu. She recently gave us some of the most powerful female characters in movies like Pink, Mulk, Manmarziyaan, Badla, etc
So what makes Tapsee the true heir of Sridevi?
Effortless Acting
Sridevi was well known to portray the characters in their utmost sincerity. She did it so naturally that when we saw her double role in Chalbaaz we actually believe it to be two different characters. Even the recently released English Vinglish shows how effortlessly she portrays the role of a housewife with low self-esteem struggling to climb up.
Tapsee too does it in a similar fashion. The portrayal of super energetic & aggressive Rumi in Manmarziyaan was so effortless that we fell in love with the character. Similarly, when she played the role of Minal in the courtroom drama Pink, we couldn’t help but sympathize with her shame & struggle.
Contagious Energy
Sridevi was known for her energy that she put in characters that made them lively and full of life. Her woman child portrayal in Sadma or her giggling laugh in Chalbaaz, Chandni made the character sweet & likable. Same is the case with Tapsee. Her high octane energy in Manmarziyaan makes the character stand out and extremely memorable. Even her role in Masala movie like Judwa was so energetic.
Risk Taker
Sridevi had chosen masala movies like Himmatwala, Khudagawah, etc but she never shied away from challenging roles like Sadma, Chalbaaz, Laadla, etc. She was inherently a risk taker. She took solo movies like Nagina, Chalbaaz, Chandni solely on her shoulders and made it the biggest blockbusters of those times.
Tapsee although has a long way to go but she too is a risk taker and we can see it. On one side She does masala movies like Judwa but on the other side she also takes up movies like Badla, Pink, Manmarziyaan
Even her upcoming movies like Game Over, Saand ki Aankh are very different & offbeat movies.
Hence I am happy to see a Sridevi heir in Tapsee who will take the mantle ahead and redefine the role of a female actress in Bollywood.
And yes I would be watching her new release Game Over today and I know it’s going to be a fun ride.
Hey Tapsee .. Shine on you crazy diamond
