BLOG - Rani and Preity - Bollywood queens no more?

By Shilpa Jamkhandikar

MUMBAI (Reuters) - One of my favourite scenes is from the film "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna". Actresses Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherjee are walking towards the hero, Shah Rukh Khan, in a crowded New York street.

One of them is oblivious to his presence and the other is fully aware of it. There is a smile on each woman's face, but the emotions are different.

It’s not just a beautifully shot scene but also demonstrates the acting prowess of the two leading ladies.

It may also be a rare one.

Both actresses have barely had any releases since KANK in 2006, and even those hardly found favour with audiences.

Preity Zinta's last release was "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom" in June last year. The actress then got busy with the Indian Premier League and is now on a 40-day 'Unforgettable' tour of North America and Europe with the Bachchans.

As for Rani Mukherjee, she's been unlucky with her recent choice of films. It hasn't helped that they were all Yash Raj productions and foundered at the box office.

"Both these actresses may have ruled Bollywood once, but it's clear to me that they are on their way out," trade analyst Taran Adarsh said.