Aishwarya Rai - Harper'z Bazaar

Hey guys! I have not posted for 18 months - been fulfilling my need to talk film over on Twitter: @Bollywood_Divas - recently crossed 2,000 followers :)

Might start blogging again... But in the meantime here is the stunning Aishwarya Rai on the cover of Harper's Bazaar magazine.

Aishwarya Rai - Harper's Bazaar - Nov 2016

Karisma Kapoor - What's Next?

Hailing from the first family of Bollywood, the young Kapoor girl made her debut in 1991, just days before her 17th birthday. The film itself Prem Qaidi was a surprise hit and made her an overnight star. Although it wasn't easy getting her first break.

She was initially cast opposite Bobby Deol in Barsaat which after several delays and changes she was later removed from the cast. Then there were stories of the Kapoor's not being happy with their girl entering the industry - a tradition she broke, and how.

Over the next few years, Lolo - as she is lovingly called, starred in hit films opposite all the hot young stars from Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar to Govinda and Ajay Devgan but she was yet to prove herself as an actress.

She was famous for her catfights with Raveena Tandon and Kajol. With Raveena it was about who looked better in their several dance numbers together, but with Kajol it was their fight over the same man, who Kajol eventually married.

In 1996, she landed a dream role in Raja Hindustani which was rejected by the likes of Aishwarya Rai + Juhi Chawla. The film won her the Filmfare Best Actress Award. And she followed it up with a spectacular 1997 with the hits Judwaa, Hero No.1 and Yash Chopra's Dil To Pagal Hai - which bagged her several awards including the National Award for her supporting role opposite Madhuri Dixit + Shah Rukh Khan.

After taking a break in 1998 she returned in 1999 with 3 of the year's biggest hits: Haseena Maan Jayegi, Hum Saath Saath Hain and Biwi No.1 - the latter of which earned her another nomination at Filmfare.

Over the next 3 years she had at least one spectacular career-defining role: 2000's Fiza, 2001's Zubeidaa and 2002's Shakti - with the former two earning her several awards. She was at the very top of her career and was even engaged to Abhishek Bachchan at this time. However she got married to an industrialist and said good-bye to films after her only 2003 release Baaz.

For years fans speculated her comeback film. And she finally came back in 2012 with Dangerous Ishhq - a supernatural thriller which got negative reviews and did poorly at the box office.

So what now? What's next for this former Bollywood Queen? Where does she go from here?

She still looks as stunning as ever and of course she has the talent, and she has stated several times over her career that she plans on making films for the rest of her life. But it seems she is treading very carefully by waiting for the "right" project. Let us hope she finds it soon as she is missed on screen.

Sridevi + Jaya Prada @ Amar Singh Party

When you think mid-80s superstars, two names spring to mind: Sridevi + Jaya Prada. Their rivalry was one of the most fierce in the history of Indian cinema.

The two divas faced one another once again at Amar Singh's recent party in Mumbai. Jaya looks her usual bubbly self while Sri looks ultra glam and ultra divatastic. 

Dil Dhadakne Do - Title Song

Watch the title song of the upcoming movie Dil Dhadakne Do - with vocals from two of the leading stars: Priyanka Chopra + Farhan Akhtar. The song is a funky retro number with 1960s swing vibes, but it doesn't seem to have gone down so well with fans. Although Anushka Sharma's look is being talked about.

Piku - Official Trailer

Deepika Padukone is back after a pretty quiet 2014 film-wise with Piku co-starring Amitabh Bachchan + Irrfan Khan.

The Shotij Sircar directed drama will release on May 8th via Yash Raj Films.

From the trailer it looks reminiscent of 2009's Paa. But that's not a bad thing. Let's hope it makes an impact for Deepu's sake - as after being on a roll in 2013, last year was not as big for her.

Queen Of Bollywood 2015

Who is the Queen of Bollywood right now?

o1. Deepika Padukone
The reason Deepika is #1 is mainly down to one thing: momentum. She has been on a roll since summer 2012. Having won all the Best Actress awards last year, she followed it up with her critically acclaimed performance in small-budget film Finding Fanny and the super hit Happy New Year. Her upcoming projects include Bajirao Mastani, Piku, and Tamasha.

o2. Anushka Sharma
After a year and a half away, she came back with PK - which just broke the record for the first film to score 300cr domestically. Next year she has the most exciting line-up of films. There is Anurag Basu's Bombay Velvet with Ranbir Kapoor, her home production debut NH10, the Zoya Akhtar multi-storey Dil Dhadakne Do (with Priyanka Chopra, Ranveery Singh, Farhan Akhtar), as well as the newly announced Ae Dil Hai Mushkil starring Ranbir Kapoor + Aishwarya Rai (directed by Karan Johar).

o3. Priyanka Chopra
Her film choices are probably the most interesting on this list. Who else could have carried off Mary Kom or Barfi!? She will get nominated for her outstanding work in MK. Her 2015 releases include Dil Dhadakne Do and Bajirao Mastani.

o4. Vidya Balan
Her last few films haven't fared exceptionally we'll - however this doesn't take away the fact that she is the most intense and poised actress of this generation. Kahaani, The Dirty Picture and Ishqiya bagged her several awards.

o5. Kareena Kapoor
Kareena is at the #5 position mostly due to her credibility as an actress, her strong star power and popularity, despite not having great films to back this up lately. Having stormed out of Ram-Leela (2013) she hasn't quite got anything right. Her upcoming film with Salman Khan will probably be a big hit, but will she have much to do in it?

o6. Katrina Kaif

Slowly sliding down the chart is Ms. Kaif. For a long time she was in the Top 5 but she hasn't had a noteworthy performance in years. Starring in big films (Dhoom 3, Bang Bang, Jab Tak Hai Jaan) will only get you so far. Her upcoming films don't sound very exciting either, and without a strong role she will continue to fall.

o7. Alia Bhatt

This diva came out of nowhere and blew us all away with her spellbinding performance in Highway under a year ago. She was probably the most talked about celebrity in 2014 and charmed us with her personality. Still just 21 years old, and with several top film-makers at her door-step (as well as inside her home) she is all set to climb to the very top.

o8. Kangana Ranaut

Queen has done wonders for this diva. Having arrived in 2006 with her Best Debut winning performance in films like Gangster and Who Lamhe. She also picked up a National Award for her performance in Fashion (2008) . But apart from 2011's Tanu Weds Manu her career had somewhat stalled until last year. She is one of the top contenders to win Best Actress this year.

o9. Sonam Kapoor

A late bloomer of sorts? Now entering her 9th year in Bollywood, she was always known for her high fashion and less for her films. But having been nominated for Best Actress last year as well as appearing in the Best Film of the year with Bhaag Milkha Bhaag her career seems to be on an all-time high. She will next be seen opposite Salman Khan in Sooraj Bharjatya's Prem Dhan Rattan Payo.

1o. Parineeti Chopra

A smart actress. Rather than playing small roles in big films, this diva has always played meaningful roles since her 2011 debut. Not only has she been nominated every single year, but she's also picked up a National Award for her performance in Ishaqzaade. She is yet to sign her next film - here's hoping she gets something good.

11. Sonakshi Sinha

With several big hits under her belt, she finally gave us a memorable performance in 2013's Lootera. More realistic cinema will take her right to the top, although she followed up with 6 masala flicks.

12. Shraddha Kapoor

With 2 mega-hits behind her already, she is all set for the big-time. Having done some singing as well as an item song, she seems to be covering all bases to become well-rounded. She appears next in ABCD 2 due out this summer.

13. Jacqueline Fernandez

Having been around since 2009, she has slowly started to join the A-list of starlets. Last year she appeared in one of the year's biggest hits with Kick. Her upcoming Roy (co-starring Ranbir Kapoor) looks promising for her career.

14. Kalki Koechlin
This offbeat actress has been around for over 5 years now and has made her mark. Having starred in several critically acclaimed films like Dev.D and That Girl In Yellow Boots she also has bagged several hits including Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Look out for her off-beat Margarita, With A Straw coming soon.

15. Madhuri Dixit
Madhuri fans were beyond excited last year as she had 2 releases: Dedh Ishqiya and Gulaab Gang. But sadly we were left disappointed. I still haven't seen DI but GG was a very bad film. Mads needs to sign another film quick and bring back her 90s glory.

16. Rani Mukherji
The recently married star came back strong in 2011 and has been on a roll since then. Last year's Mardaani is up for several awards including Best Actress for the diva - and she has a very strong chance of winning in one of her career-best roles. Rumour has it the sequel is in the writing stage. Watch this space.

17. Bipasha Basu
Still going strong after all these years, albeit in small/mid-budget films. Currently making her mark dominating the horror genre of Bollywood, her soon to be releases Alone is making waves for it's saucy music videos.

18. Aishwarya Rai
This week she announced she has given the green light to no less than 6 films. 2 of which have been announced. She was last seen in 2010's Guzaarish for which she was nominated for Best Actress. Her upcoming releases include Jazbaa and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil alongside fellow UBD Anushka Sharma. 

19. Kajol
She recently joined Twitter as part of her new role as a UN ambassador but was last seen in a fully-fledged role in 2010 with her incredible performance in We Are Family as well as her award winning My Name Is Khan. She is expected to start shooting her next film before the end of the year.

2o. Sridevi
Still not over the fact that she didn't win all the awards for her spectacular comeback in English Vinglish. I hope that doesn't deter her much and she returns sooner than expected. Will the Mr. India sequel ever happen? Wait and see...

21. Rekha
The ultimate diva of all divas came back this year with Super Nani which did decent business for a small budget film. And how amazing did she look?! Madame has been acting since the late 60s and will always be the undisputed diva of B-town. She will next be seen in Fitoor alongside fellow UBD Katrina Kaif.

22. Karisma Kapoor
Although she is sent several scripts every year - she is yet to sign the follow-up to 2012's comeback Dangerous Ishhq which did nothing for her career. She was rumoured to star in the Satte Pe Satta remake alongside Sanjay Dutt - but with him being incarcerated that seems to be put on hold.

23. Huma Qureshi
Last year she starred with the legendary Madhuri Dixit in Dedh Ishqiya which has got her some nominations this season. She will next be seen in the hotly anticipated Badlapur with Varun Dhawan.

24. Ileana D'Cruz
After an incredible entry into Bollywood with 2012's Barfi! she has since appeared in a fewglammed-up roles opposite the likes of Shahid Kapoor, Varun Dhawan and Saif Ali Khan. This diva needs to  sign up for a meaty role soon or else she might fade away. Rumour has it she is in talks to star opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Fan which starts shooting very soon.

25. Asin
Whatever happened to her? She was hotly tipped to be the next big superstar after she debuted in 2008 with the record-breaking Ghajini. She had back-to-back hits in the following years and just when she was being offered big films, she rejected them to go back down south. She hasn't been seen on screen since 2012. Get your act together woman!