Simple Simones

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">In the era of ready-to-bare heroines, the Plain Jane protagonist still holds her own</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Seedhi, saadhi, gharelu</span> are the magic words. In an age where heroines are showing more skin than talent and sex has become a marketing strategy, here''s a breed of actors who believe in simplicity.<br /><br />From Bhagyashree in <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Maine Pyar Kiya</span> to Neha in <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Kareeb</span> to Gracy Singh in <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Lagaan</span> to Bhumika Chawla in <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Tere Naam</span> to Preeti Jhangiani in <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Mohabbatein</span> to Gayatri Joshi in the recent <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Swades</span> — all are films with heroines who have made unconventional debuts as Plain Janes. On one hand, it could be called a smart career move, to be able to distinguish oneself from the sexy clutter but on the other hand, it could lead to being seriously slotted as the ''homely'' girl-next-door.<br /><br />Says actor Gayatri Joshi after her debut, "I''m not afraid of being typecast. I''m sure there are filmmakers who can see my potential." <br /><br />However, although these girls are getting offered glam roles as well, the film industry and public doesn''t really forget first impressions. Once you are known as the Plain Jane, the name sticks. <br /><br />Agrees Preeti Jhangiani, who after her first few films as a demure girl wasn''t accepted very well in her somewhat bold image in the recent <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Chaahat</span>. A similar thing also happened with <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Kareeb</span>''s Neha in her bold avatar in <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Hogi Pyar Ki Jeet</span>. Film trade analyst Indu Mirani points out, "Our film history has shown that a heroine should be such that everyone can fall in love with. So being sexy is necessary for popularity. However one can''t go over-the-top with sexy too because that hasn''t worked either. But a sudden image revamp doesn''t help either. It just depends on the sex quotient."<br /><br />Gracy Singh, who played a village girl in <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Lagaan</span> and a docile doctor in <span style="" font-style:="" italic="">Munnabhai MBBS</span>, is comfortable with her demure image. "I was offered various kinds of roles but I''m more comfortable doing roles and wearing stuff that represent our culture and society," she says.Bhagyashree has the last word. "I was always interested in doing roles that maintained the sanctity of women. Finally, the simplest films in Indian film history are the most popular," she says.</div> </div>