English Vinglish

Fans of Indian cinema need no introduction to Sridevi, the star of more than 200 movies: admired for her sparkling comic timing, dancing prowess and acting chops, Sri ruled the marquee from the mid-‘70s to the early ‘90s before settling down to raise two daughters. It took a special project to lure this very special talent back to the big screen, and English Vinglish is it.

Directed and written by Gauri Shinde, the film depicts the transformation of Shashi, a meek, put-upon Indian housewife who speaks only Hindi, into a confident citizen of the world, over the length of a four-week crash course in English. The way the character has been crafted by Shinde, and interpreted by Sridevi, is gloriously feminine and uniquely Indian.

Screening as part of The Onscreen Sari - a season of films celebrating the impact of the sari on screen, from iconic saris featured in box office hits to the garment as a symbol of feminine power.