Opposites attract, hence this write-up would focus only on heroines – part one with Indian Actresses. Acting skill, attire or dressing sense and dancing skills are the important things which attract me to a great deal than their make-ups or their super shape. I am not acting smart to avoid the super shape of the good looking girls but it does not come as big criteria when you consider period of time. Not listed in any particular order – so relax.
Savithri: If my memory goes right, I first saw her in the great song called Singaravelaney Deva from Konjum Salangai(S Janaki's first tamil film song) . She was from Vijayawada and acted around 100 movies across Tamil, Telugu and Hindi. Her acting skills were outstanding in these movies like Missiamma, Paasa Malar etc . More over, she put her facial expression to great use in Thiruvilayadal, Navarathiri. She won the national award for the movie called "Chivarakumigiledi".
Padmini: Padmini started her career at 17 and acted in over 400 movies in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam. She was paired against Sivaji, MGR, Prem Nazir, Raj Kapoor. Sabash sariana Potti from Vanjikottai Valiban & Nalam thana are the great examples of her dancing skills. She made a memorable come back through Fazil's Poove Poo Chooda Vaa with Nadiya.
Sharmila Tagore: This Bengali female won the national award for her role in "Mausam" First thing comes to my mind is her HairWigs, Sapnon Ki Rani Kab song still runs through the mind. I liked her eyes most. She was very famous for her roles in Aradhana and Amarprem.
Madhubala: Delhi based Muslim girl had some health issues during her peak of her career. She gave number of great performances, one movie stands out - Mughal-E-Azam; Madhubala acted, danced so well in this movie which can be taken by any newcomers as basic induction class for acting.
SriDevi: Graceful dancing comes to the fore when one recollects Sivakasi born Sridevi. Who can forget her transparent sarees in Mr India; I would consider Lamhe as the greatest example for Sridevi's acting skills. Movies like Johnny, Meendum Kokila, Moondram Pirai, Chaal Baaz, Mr India, Chandni immportalised her in the world of movies. Her acting skills turned out to unbelievable and challenged every great actor in the industry. She ruled the entire south indian movies for a long time before moving into Bollywood.
Radha: (of Ambika / Radha sisters): She was the prime heroine during my adolescent age – I think, one can understand why I need not explain any more importance of her in this list J; She was all over my dreams for many many years !!! Jokes apart, she did some wonderful acting in these movies – Mudhal Mariadhai; She looked wonderful in modern as well as traditional costumes. She was the queen of tamil movie industry during 1980s, acted around 200 movies and had a graceful exit from the field when was still in demand.
Madhuri Dixit: She was the real dance queen in silver screen thru her Ek Do Teen, Dhak Dhak etc. She had a great smiling face, catchy eyes and excellent acting skills. I saw the movie Tezzab some 10 times only for her !!! She was so gorgeous in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun especially.
Simran: Another graceful dancer alongwith the lines of Madhubala, Sridevi & Madhuri - her graceful dancing was par excellence in many songs. Vaali was the best example of her acting skills and what a wonderful performance it turned out to be !!! If some one has any doubt on her dancing abilities - watch the Ezhumalai song with Arjun – she is totally in control of the song !!!
Kajol: DDLJ, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Baazigar, Gupt and Faana are some of her best movies. She was not having any great complexion – but her eyes and her smile spoke a lot. She carried movies like Pyar tho ho na hi tha on her tender shoulders and put up a wonderful show.
Tabu: Hyderabad born Tabu seldom looks sexy in the first sight. She had a slow start with movies like Border, Virasat, Hera Pheri-I. But Cheeni Kum or Namesake proved that she is such a quality actress around our time.
Aishvarya Rai Bachan: I felt this mangalorian was so thin when she came to stardom through the Pepsi commercial or Josh movie. But she proved her substance in movies like Jeans (to some extent), Provoked, Guru & Jodhaa Akbar beyond doubt. She was simply bewitching in the red saree – hum dil de chuke sanam movie. My favourite look of her is in the movie Taal, Dhoom 2.
Lakshmi: Julie, Vidhi, Sirai, Samsaram Adhu Minsaram are some of the movies where she changed herself into the characters. She comes out amazingly convincing even in a stupid role like that of Jeans. I can only think of Tabu after Lakshmi to fit into any character example NameSake.
Shalini (Amarkalam, Kadhalukku Mariyadhai & Alaipayudhey) , Heera Rajagopal (Idhayam, Kadhal Kottai & Avvai Shanmugi), Jothika (Kakka Kakka), Poornima Jayaram & Juhi Chawla (both of them had a great charming, pleasant face), Radhika ( for her role in Jeans, Nallavanukku Nallavan), Kareen kapoor (Jab we met) are some others I feel are worth mentioning.
