Vinglish

English Vinglish is a 2012 Indian Hindi-language comedy-drama film written and directed by Gauri Shinde in her feature debut. The film stars Sridevi in the lead role, marking her return to cinema after a 15-year hiatus. The story follows Shashi Godbole, a kind-hearted Mumbai housewife who runs a small sweets business. While traveling to New York for her niece’s wedding, she faces ridicule for her limited English, which prompts her to enroll in an English-language course. Through her experiences in the classroom and in everyday life, Shashi gradually finds her voice and gains confidence, challenging gender norms and social expectations along the way.

The film was shot in India and the United States and portrays the everyday realities of a middle-class family, as well as the pressures placed on women to conform. Sridevi’s performance was widely praised for its warmth and nuance, and the film received acclaim for its sensitive handling of language barriers, self-respect, and cross-cultural exchange. Critics highlighted its empathetic storytelling, restrained humor, and its focus on personal growth over romance or melodrama. English Vinglish is regarded as an important work in contemporary Indian cinema for its portrayal of a woman reclaiming agency within a traditional domestic sphere.

The title, a stylized rendering of “English,” reflects the central challenge of the protagonist’s journey. The film contributed to broader conversations about language, identity, and empowerment in Indian society and helped reaffirm Sridevi’s standing as a leading actress in mainstream Bollywood. It achieved notable commercial success and earned multiple award nominations.