These Bollywood phuljharis are still burning bright

A true star never fades away, they say. These ladies certainly prove that you don't have to be twenty-something to be beautiful in Bollywood. Sridevi, Madhuri, Ash and gang have lost none of the dazzle and glow they brought to showbiz way back when they first began their careers.

Turn off the lights please.

This Khwabon Ki Shehzadi celebrated her 50th birthday this year and has everyone asking what her secret is. Last year, she made a stunning comeback in English Vinglish and now put is regular appearances on the celebrity party circuit, looking better than most actresses half her age. Sridevi was also awarded the Padma Shri this year.

Madhuri Dixit: With the item number Ghagra from Ranbir Kapoor's hit film Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, Dhak Dhak girl Madhuri Dixit proved nobody does it better than her. She is also a very popular judge on the dance reality show Jhalak Dikhlaa Jaa. After virtually ruling Bollywood for a decade with hits such as Tezaab, Beta, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun and Dil Toh Pagal Hai, the talented actress with the million dollar smile is now making her comeback with Gulab Gang and Dedh Ishqiya.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan: Ash, who just turned 40, made a series of stunning appearances at this year's Cannes Film Festival where she's been a red carpet regular since 2002. She was then spotted at the Ascot horse races in England, appeared as the face of Kalyan Jewellers in commercials, inaugurated showrooms for the jewellery brand in Surat and Chandigarh, did a series of stunning photoshoots for a real estate commercial, a kitchen brand advert and appeared on the cover of Noblesse India magazine's October edition.

And if that's not enough she has reportedly started reading scripts as well and will be seen in the movie Happy Anniversary with husband Abhishek.

One of Bollywood's most gifted actresses, Kajol was Bollywood's reigning queen until she consciously opted for a life away from the grease-paint and arc-lights. The actress, who gave showbiz some of its most long-lasting hits - such as Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushie Kabhie Gham, continued to work off and on after her marriage to Ajay Devgn in 2001. Her last film was My Name Is Khan, and now she is set to return with husband Ajay Devgn's home production. In September, she attended a session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in her capacity as the hand washing ambassador and advocate of a soap brand's 'Help a Child Reach 5' campaign.

Karisma Kapur, who became the nation's darling with Raja Hindustani, made a much-awaited comeback to the silver screen after a gap of nine years with Dangerous Ishhq (2012). The actress married Delhi-based industrialist Sunjay Kapur at the peak of her career in 2003. The couple went on to have two children but were plagued by persisting divorce rumours.

But Karisma seems set for a second innings in Bollywood. While she has not finalised another script yet, recently she released her book My Yummy Mummy Guide, that doles out tips to pregnant women and new mothers.

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty can still set temperatures soaring at 38. The yummy mummy, who gave birth to son Viaan in 2012, ventured into acting in 1993 with Baazigar. She delivered fine performances in films like Dhadkan, Rishtey and Phir Milenge. Shilpa later grabbed attention all over the world by winning British celebrity reality TV show Big Brother in 2007. She re-established her status in the film industry in 2007 when she appeared in two successive movies, Life in a... Metro and Apne. In 2008, she hosted the second season of the reality show Bigg Boss. After her marriage to Raj Kundra in 2009, the couple became part owners of the IPL franchise cricket team Rajasthan Royals.

Shilpa is currently on a sabbatical from movies because she wants to spend time with her son. She is also judging the dance reality show Nach Baliye 6 and has donned the producer's hat for the film Dishkiyaaoon.

Chirpy Chawla, as she is fondly called in the film industry, will soon be seen on the silver screen in Gulaab Gang. The actress, who made her acting debut in 1986 with Sultanat, made it big with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988). She went on to deliver many more hits in Darr, Yes Boss, Deewana Mastana, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Bol Radha Bol and Ishq, before taking a break after her marriage to multi-millionaire industrialist, Jai Mehta in 1998. She is now ready for her second innings in Bollywood.

Hailed as one of the most gifted actresses of Bollywood, Tabu burst into the Bollywood scene with her film Vijaypath opposite Ajay Devgn. Tabu has successfully balanced commercial hits with acclaimed and awarded performances in films like Astitva, Chandni Bar, Maqbool and Cheeni Kum. In 2012, the 40-year-old National Awardee and Padma Shri winner was seen in Oscar-winning director Ang Lee's film Life Of Pi.

From Miss Universe to Bollywood star to single mother, Sushmita Sen's life has been an eventful one. The actress, who had been missing from the big screen for over three years, is eyeing a comeback this year with a woman-oriented film.

The 36-year-old was last seen in the 2010 box office flop No Problem, then taking a break so that she could spend time with her adopted daughters Alisah and Renee. The Biwi No 1 star is also producing and directing "her most ambitious project" Jhansi Ki Rani.

Sonali Bendre can still make hearts skip a beat when you look at her. The yummiest mummy on the Bollywood block was last seen in the 2001 film Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega before she opted for a life outside films after her marriage to filmmaker Goldie Behl in 2002. In 2003, she made a special appearance as Shah Rukh Khan's doctor in Kal Ho Naa Ho. The 38-year-old proved she can still give younger heroines a run for their money after her brief but powerful role in the film Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbaai Dobara! (2013).