When Sridevi made comeback in 2012 and delivered 'stunning' performance in English Vinglish

In English Vinglish, Sridevi plays the role of a typical Indian housewife who cannot speak English and is mocked by her husband and daughter for it.

Sridevi's untimely demise due to a cardiac arrest has left the nation shocked. The diva, who ruled Bollywood in the late 80s and 90s, took a break from films after marrying producer Boney Kapoor in 1996. Sridevi began acting as a child artist in Tamil films at the age of four and became a popular child actor, having been a part of several Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films.

Sridevi took a break from acting to focus on her marriage and bringing up her two daughters - Janhvi and Khushi. It was then thought that Sridevi would never return to movies.

However, surprising to all, Sridevi announced her come back after 15 years in 2011. Sridevi's comeback film- English Vinglish - directed by Gauri Shinde revolved around a middle-class woman. In English Vinglish, Sridevi plays the role of a typical Indian housewife who cannot speak English and is mocked by her husband and daughter for it.

When Shashi, the character Sridevi plays, goes to New York for her niece's wedding, an incident at a cafe leaves Shashi heart-broken and she finally decides to enrol herself in English-speaking tutorial classes.

The film was not only a commercial success but also received well by movie critics. With the worldwide triumph of English Vinglish, Sridevi became the only actress in Bollywood to make a successful return as a leading lady after marriage and long hiatus. It was selected for premieres at various international film festivals, including the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, where the audience gave the film a 10-minute standing ovation once the screening ended.

"Charisma is something that you have, or have not, and Sridevi's presence is something that arrests your attention immediately when she comes on screen. Carrying the entire movie, it's unbelievable to think that she's pushing 50 already, as her performance here will probably inspire many actresses of today's generation to sit up and take note, to realize that they still have a long way to go to reach a fraction of her level," wrote one of the reviewers of English Vinglish on IMDB.

"She's stellar, in terrific form, immersing herself in this character, playing her age... so much so that after a point you forget you're watching someone who has immortalized so many characters. What you carry home, and in your heart, is Shashi, a woman who is snubbed by her children and husband on various occasions for her lack of English-language skills, but overpowers her apprehensions and insecurities and emerges triumphant eventually," said another review of English Vinglish in HT.

From actor to housewife to mom and to actor again, Sridevi proved to be an idol, a diva forever. Her sudden death has made us lose an iconic figure but her personality will remain engraved in hearts of all.

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