Gone are the days (well...almost!) when aspiring actresses tried every trick in the book to mask their real age.
Bollywood is now seeing a whole new crop of 30 plus actresses who are making no bones about debuting at an unconventional age.
Name: Nargis Fakhri
Age: 30 plus
Bollywood debut: Rockstar (2011)This half Czech-half Pakistani model started off with the popular television series America's Next Top Model in 2004.
It took her a good five years before she was featured in the Kingfisher calendar, but now Nargis is undoubtedly one of the most-talked about new faces in the industry, even without a single release.
Her evenings out with Ranbir Kapoor are discussed a lot more than her potential as an actor. But if she does manage to match up to rockstar Ranbir in the film, we guess she'll be here to stay.
Name: Mahie Gill
Age: 35 plus
Bollywood debut: Dev D (2009)Her profile on the Internet may say otherwise, but Mahi had well crossed her 30s when she made a very impressive debut in Anurag Kashyap's Dev D. She started off with theatre and a few Punjabi films, before landing the role of the very lovely Paro.
She continues to make choices that differentiate her from the rest, like her upcoming film Not A Love Story with Deepak Dobriyal.
Name: Barbara MoriAge: 30 plus
Bollywood debut: Kites (2010)Kites may have given her little reason to fly high, but that doesn't take away from the fact that this Spanish beauty was gutsy enough to kick-start her Bollywood career at a much later stage in life.
She started her acting career with a Spanish television series when she was in her early 20s. And though Kites did not really take off at the box-office, we can't say we don't want to see more of Mori.
Name: Monica Dogra
Age: 30 plus
Bollywood debut: Dhobhi Ghat (2011)Dhobhi Ghat was almost a whole new phase in the career of singer Monica Dogra, who had already created quite a mark for herself as a musician with her band Shaa'ir and Func (established six years ago).
Apparently, it was her voice and her individualistic style that got her the film. Her role as an NRI photographer not only suited her to the T, but also distinguished her from the usual crop of starlets.
Name: Poorna Jagannathan
Age: 35 plusBollywood debut: Delly Belly (2011)
Already an established film and television actress in America since the last seven years, it was Poorna's turn as a sexy journalist in Delly Belly that got more men to stand up and take note than any recent debutant in B-Town.
Her bohemian looks and self-sufficient attitude not only separated her from the rest, but also portrayed her as someone who can handle 'grown-up' roles with style and sensibility.
Comeback Queens
Sridevi (48) is making a comeback with Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish
Raveena Tandon (37) came back with an item number in Buddah Hoga Tera Baap, and is now doing Alert with Sanjay Dutt
Preity Zinta (36) is also turning producer with her comeback film Ishq in Paris
Courtesy: Mid-Day.com
