What Are Bollywood's Former Top Actresses Up To?

Everybody wants to rule the world, sang Tears for Fears. And some get to too.

While most actresses emphasise they aren't interested in the rat race, the ambition in their actions imply otherwise.  They all want to work in prestigious banners, opposite superstars, rock the red carpet and fashion covers and be remunerated generously.

At the moment, Kareena Kapoor is at the top of her game with the author-backed Heroine aspiring to further enhance her position even as Katrina Kaif, Vidya Balan and Deepika Padukone are hardly playing second fiddle to the crown.

But what about Bollywood's numero unos from not too long ago? What are they up to? Rediff.com finds out.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Although she's never delivered as many hits as say, a Bebo or Priyanka Chopra, no one's ever doubted Ash's large-scale clout and popularity.

The beautiful star of blockbusters like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas and Dhoom 2 is too busy playing mommy to little Aaradhya to be bothered about getting back on the sets.

There's little doubt of a comeback though with scripts still lining her doorsteps for consideration.

There hasn't been much reason to flash those famous dimples since the back-to-back failure of Jaan-E-Mann and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom. Her attempt at de-glam woman-centric roles in Videsh and Heroes too didn't help.

After a longish break, PZ is gung ho about her home production, Ishkq in Paris and playing boisterous wife to Sunny Deol in Bhaiyaji Superhit.

One of Bollywood's most memorable reigning queens chucked it all to embrace marital bliss in the US of A.

She's back though, both in India and Bollywood in full swing to start a brand new innings even though her comeback vehicle Aaja Nachle wasn't exactly a sensation.

Apart from playing judge in dance-based reality show, Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, the million-dollar smile is all set to light up Abhishek Chaubey's sequel, Dedh Ishqiya with Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi and Kangna Ranaut and Anubhav Sinha's Gulab Gang.

It's been so long since the erstwhile 'Female Amitabh Bachchan' sparkled the silver screen.

Sridevi, who began her career as a child artist, has worked in innumerable films since as leading in multiple languages and enjoyed an unprecedented scale of success among heroines.

The star of unforgettable films like Sadma, Chandni, Chaalbaaz, Lamhe and Mr India is back after more than a decade, if you discount the long-in-the-making Meri Biwi Ka Jawaab Nahin, with a central role in Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish slated for a September 2012 release. 

'Justice has been denied,' she last hollered in Raj Kumar Gupta's No One Killed Jessica.

There's been a long, noticeable silence since with sporadic rumours of an impending wedding to filmmaker Aditya Chopra.

But it's not like the A-lister of super hits like Ghulam, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Bunty Aur Babli, Saathiya, Chalte Chalte, Hum Tum and Black is sitting at home twiddling thumbs.

There's much to look forward to for Lady M in Reema Kagti's Talaash co-starring Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor as well as the Anurag Kashyap produced Aiyaa with Tamil star Prithviraj Sukumaran

Tabu does as Tabu pleases, which means few roles and fewer surprises. Such a pity considering she's one of the best we have.

No worries though.

The near future looks exceedingly bright what with the Maachis heroine playing Pi's (Suraj Sharma) mother in Ang Lee's eagerly awaited 3D fantasy, Life of Pi.

Besides which there's Bejoy 'Shaitaan' Nambiar's gangster comedy David and the tentatively stuck Govinda-Salman Khan caper, Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai.  

Though her much hyped comeback in the few months old, Dangerous Ishq was a clear disaster, we can still hope for a few more credible attempts from Bollywood's former No 1 star.

Buzz is she's poised to step into Hema Malini's shoes in the Satte Pe Satta remake starring her co-star of Chal Mere Bhai and Haseena Maan Jayegi -- Sanjay Dutt.

One hasn't seen Bollywood's much adored Dulhania on screen since the cloyingly sentimental, We Are Family and a indifferent appearance in part-live action, part animation Toonpur Ka Superhero considering she took time out to deliver her second child, Yug.

Even as better half Ajay Devgn storms the box-office with hits like Singham and Bol Bachchan, the missus with a revamped fashion style will pitch in an obligatory cameo for filmmaker buddy Karan Johar in Student of the Year as well as provide the voice for her animated alter ego in the long overdue Kootchie Kootchie Hota Hai.

Inspired by the Rangeela mania, Urmila Matondkar was once all over the place in her itsy-bitsy wardrobe and genuine fondness for portraying batty characters in Kaun, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya and Bhoot.

 Things haven't looked encouraging since her faltering attempts to recreate Simi Garewal's fascinating vamp in a daft Karz remake with Himesh Reshammiya.

When not making shiny red carpet appearances to support her designer friends, the 38-year old contributes her voice to one of the animated protagonists of Nikhil Advani's Delhi Safari releasing this October.

The mast-mast star of Mohra, Andaz Apna Apna and Dilwale has never been the go-getter types.

Instead she's fairly content raising her two kids -- Raasha and Ranbir with distributor hubby, Anil Thadani but doesn't mind an occasional assignment or two.

After doing a brief cameo in Amitabh Bachchan vehicle Buddah Hoga Tera Baap and hosting NDTV's It's My Life, the National-Award winner is concentrating on playing mommy to a 6-year-old in Rishi Deshpande's Hindi-Marathi bilingual Ginn Liya Aasman.