Sridevi`s last release was 1997 hit ‘Judaai’ and she is ready to recreate the same magic with her comeback film ‘English Vinglish’, about a housewife`s struggle with the English language in the US. It releases Friday. Thanks to ad filmmaker Gauri Shinde, who convinced Sridevi to step under the arclights to play housewife Shashi in her directorial debut ‘English Vinglish’.

Hilarious, touching and sensitive, the film marks the comeback of the "Hawa Hawaii" girl after a 15 year sabbatical. ‘English Vinglish’ is the story of a woman Shashi (Sridevi), who does not know English and is made to feel insecure by her family and society at large. The film is a light-hearted yet touching journey of Shashi. Circumstances make her determined to overcome her insecurity and master the language, teach the world a lesson by becoming a self-assured and confident woman.

Shot mostly in New York, the film captures the inherent struggle of many people all over the world with the English language. Co-produced by Sunil Lulla, R. Balki, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala and R.K. Damani, ‘English Vinglish’ had a gala premiere at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival Sep 14, where the film and Sridevi`s performance received global acclaim.

Sridevi, 49, scorched the silver screen with films like ‘Sadma’, ‘Chandni’, ‘Chaalbaaz’, ‘Mr.India’ and ‘Lamhe’. She may be returning to the arclights after 15 years but she doesn`t want to label it as a comeback movie. "I never felt I was out of this industry. I don`t term it as my comeback. Even when I used to go out, my fans used to always ask me, `When will we see you?` I am so glad and thankful to my fans that I was always there in their hearts and they never forgot me," she said.