R Balki

R Balki’s surprise gift to the Big B—the full hardbound script of their next film —has fallen through. Apparently the original plan was to announce the next Big B venture that would’ve starred the mega-actor with Sridevi at the birthday celebrations at the Reliance Mediaworks in Film City on 10 October. But the script meant to showcase the Big B’s unbottled charisma, has fallen through. Balki is now working on a completely different script idea, and as he mysteriously announces, “It’s not a love story. It doesn’t address itself to a medical condition. But there will be lots of drama.”

Sridevi’s co-star the French actor Mehdi Nebbou has apparently become a big Sri fan after working with her in English Vinglish. And we aren't talking about just being her fan as an actress. Apparently Mehdi found her reticence and quietude very charming. Says R Balki, the producer of their film <em>English Vinglish</em>, “It was a really curious contradiction. On screen Sridevi was playing a very talkative woman. But once the camera was off she was very reserved to begin with. But gradually as we shot in New York she opened up and began to mingle with all of us.”

Sridevi and her English Vinglish director Gauri Shinde will soon take centre stage to promote their film. Yes, it’s going to be an all-women’s show as the release date September 21 approaches for <em>English Vinglish</em>. After much deliberation the film’s producers R. Balki and Eros Entertainment have decided to stick to the original date and not get scared off by Kareena Kapoor and <em>Heroine</em>.