SRI DEVI -INDIA `S FIRST SUPER STAR AND JAPANESE

FAVOURITE ACTRESS NEXT TO RAJINI

Sridevi known as Sri Devi or Sree Devi or Sridevi Kapoor today was born in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu on 13th August 1963 as Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan. She is referred to as The First Female Superstar

of the Hindi cinema. Sridevi has worked in many Hindi, Tamil, Telugu,

Malayalam & Kannada films in a career that spanned over 4 decades.

1967–1975: Child Artist

Sridevi started her career as a child actor at the age of four in Tamil movie

Thunaivan (1969) playing the role of young Muruga.

The film has received a big critical acclaim and was a big success at the box

office. It was something extraordinary that a child's performance has been

noticed and appreciated that way. After the huge success of

Thunaivan (1969), baby Sridevi as she was called at that time got many offers

in Tamil and Telugu cinemas.

Sridevi must be one of the very few successful child artists who was very much

appreciated in different languages. Her career's highlight then was when

she won Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist for her excellent

performance in Poombatta (1971), a Malayalam film that received a great

appreciation by audiences and critics specially for Sri's performance.

Offers kept pouring on baby Sridevi and more successes were on the way.

Her most notable films at that period were

Kandan Karunai (1967),

Nam Naadu (1969),

Prarthanai (1970),

Babu (1971),

Vasantha Maaligai (1972),

Marapurani Manishi (1973) &

Julie (1975).

With Julie Sridevi made her debut in Bollywood as a child artist were

she played the younger sister of the female lead. Julie was a huge hit in

Bollywood and the film is still very much remembered today for its

excellent music which was composed by Rajesh Roshan.

1976–1982: South Cinema's No.1 Heroine

Sridevi got her first leading role in Tamil cinema with the film

Moondru Mudichu (1976) at the age of 13!. The film was directed by

K. Balachander and starred both Kamal Hassan and Rajnikanth.

The film was a big success and all the three leads were poured

with offers. After that many films were released for Sridevi with either

Kamal Hassan or Rajnikanth or with both!

In 1977 Sridevi played the title role in the movie Gayathri (1977).

Again Rajnikant played her husband in a negative role. The film had a

very bold theme and received huge success, consolidating the popularity of

Sridevi-Rajnikanth as a due team. Another film followed up was

Kavikkuyil (1977) for which Rajnikanth this time played Sridevi's brother,

but the biggest highlight of that year was none other than

16 Vayathinile (1977).

This film has became the biggest blockbuster of

Tamil cinema and hailed as a cult classic to this date.

This film is a landmark in Tamil cinema, it was the first

Tamil film that was completely shot outdoors and it started the trend

that followed then. The film did wonders to the careers of its stars

Sridevi, Kamal Hassan & Rajnikanth.

After a string of hits in and excellent roles in South cinema Sridevi was

termed as the No.1 actress there.

Sridevi with Rajnikanth in Gayathri

Then in 1978 came another blockbuster with Kamal Hassan,

P. Bharathi Raja's Sigappu Rojakkal (1978). A thriller film that ran over 175 days

at the box office. The same year Sridevi gave yet one more blockbuster with

Rajnikanth, Priya (1978) in which Sridevi played the title role. The story about

a movie star who is exploited by her producer & tries to get rid of him by legal

means. The film had 170 days ran at the box office. Another successful film of

the year was Vanakkatukuriya Kathaliye (1978) in which Sridevi played a double

role. The film also starred Rajnikanth and Jayachitra. This year Sridevi also

starred in the Telugu remake of 16 Vayathinile (1977) named

Padaharella Vayasu (1978). The film starred Chandra Mohan and Mohan Babu

instead of Kamal Hassan and Rajnikanth. The film went on to be one of the

biggest Telugu blockbusters that year and ran over 100 days at the box office.

In 1979 there was the super hit Telugu film Karthika Deepam (1979) in which

she starred with Shobhan Babu and Sharada. The film is still remembered for

its performances and super hit songs. Another important Telugu film of hers

this year was Vetagadu (1979) which paired her for the first time with

N.T. Rama Rao. The film was a big hit and their pairing was a big sensation

which made the duo work together after that in 12 films.

Then there was the Tamil blockbuster with Kamal Hassan Kalyanaraman (1979)

which ran over 140 days at the box office. 6 years later a sequel was made

to it too but Sridevi did not act in that. Another super hit Sri & Kamal gave

that year was the Tamil film Thaayillamal Naan Illai (1979), means I cannot

live without my mother. The film also starred Rajnikanth. Sridevi & Rajnikanth

pair made a huge success with the Tamil film Dharma Yuddam (1979).

The film was one of the major hits that year and the music of the film by

Ilayaraja was a big hit too.Sridevi made once again her debut in Bollywood

in 1979 but this time as a female lead in Solva Sawan (1979) opposite

Amol Palekar. The film was a remake of her own Tamil blockbuster

16 Vayathinile (1977). However, unlike the original film this remake bombed

at the box office.

Sridevi in Kalyanaraman

1980 was the year Sridevi's Tamil film Johnny (1980) with Rajnikanth was

released. Audience thought the movie to be an action film due to its name.

The first week collections at the box office were poor due to this, but the

excellent performances by the lead, the extra ordinary music by Ilayaraja

and the heart touching story ensured a great pick up in the second week

and eventually the film became a big success.

The same year K. Balachander's Tamil film Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu (1980)

was released were Sridevi starred opposite Kamal Hassan. The film was

received very well by both critics and audiences specially the youths as

it was highlighting some important issues like youth struggle and

unemployment. The same film was later remade in Telugu in 1981 as

Aakali Rajyam (1981) and again it starred both Sridevi and Kamal Hassan.

Another blockbuster the team Sridevi and Kamal Hassan gave that year

was the Tamil film Guru (1980). The film was a huge success. It completed

365 days of run at the box office. Even its songs are still remembered as

cult classics.In Telugu cinema Sridevi and Krishna had a big hit with

Chuttalunnaru Jagartha (1980) which later was remade into Mawaali (1983).

The highlight of 1981 was Sridevi's Meendum Kokila (1981) opposite

Kamal Hassan. This was the film which was to be Rekha's debut in Tamil

cinema. Rekha agreed to play the supporting role but eventually walked out

of the film and was replaced by actress Deepa. Sridevi got huge appreciation

for her wonderful performance. Her role in this film is still considered as one

of the most important female roles in Tamil cinema.

The film was one of the biggest success of 1981.

In the Telugu cinema Sridevi gave a hit with Kondaveeti Simham (1981)

in which she starred opposite N. T. Rama Rao. The same team also gave

another hit with Aggi Ravva (1981). During the same year Sridevi gave the

blockbuster Puli Bidda (1981). Krishnam Raju acted as the hero opposite her

. Another Telugu hit for Sri was Premabhishekam (1981) opposite A.N.R.

The movie ran for 100 days at the box office. Aakali Rajyam (1981) with

Kamal Hassan was another Telugu success for Sri that year.

Sridevi in Aakali Rajyam

In 1982 Sridevi and Kamal Hassan gave another blockbuster which is

R. Krishnamoorthy's Vazhvey Maayam (1982). The film completed over 200 days

at the box office. The film also featured the song Devi Sridevi to bank

on Sridevi's popularity as the No.1 heroine of the south cinema.

Vazhvey Maayam (1982) is a remake of Sridevi's Telugu film

Premabhishekam (1981) which starred Sridevi opposite A.N.R.

The same year Sridevi gave another hit with Rajnikanth

that is Pokkiri Raja (1982).

In Telugu cinema Sridevi went on to give a string of huge hits and blockbusters

that were remade in Hindi later like Justice Chowdary (1982) with

N. T. Rama Rao which was remade to Justice Chaudhury (1983) with

Jeetendra & Sri, Devatha (1982) with Sobhan Babu and Jaya Prada

which again was remade into Tohfa (1984) with Sridevi,

Jeetendra and Jaya Prada. In Telugu cinema Sridevi got another blockbuster

with N. T. Rama Rao Bobbili Puli (1982).

The film ran for 175 days at the box office. Sridevi & N.T. Rama Rao that year

gave another hit with Anuraga Devatha (1982) which is a remake of the

Hindi film Aasha (1980).

However, the biggest highlight of 1982 was Sridevi's Tamil film

Moondram Pirai (1982) in which Sri played a woman suffering from amnesia

and acting like a child opposite Kamal Hassan.

The film was met with extremely positive response from the critics and

audiences. It was yet another blockbuster by Sridevi and Kamal Hassan team.

The film ran for over 200 days at the box office.

The same film was remade into Hindi the following year by the same cast

as Sadma (1983). Sridevi got the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for best actress

for her performance that year in Moondram Pirai (1982).

1983 - 1986: Bollywood's No.1 Heroine

In that period Sridevi continued her ruling in the south film industry as the

No.1 heroine, but 1983 it was a time for a relaunch in Bollywood. Sridevi was

like the nuclear bomb that happened with Himmatwala (1983).

A blockbuster film opposite Jeetendra that was the remake of Telugu film

Ooriki Monagadu (1981) starring Krishna & Jaya Prada. Jeetendra in one of

his interviews said that Jaya Prada was upset with him for choosing Sridevi

over her for Himmatwala (1983) and that she did not speak to him for three

months. The film music was an instant hit too. Sridevi's dance number

Naino Mein Sapna became such a rage that every other song in Bollywood

at that period was made with props like pots and pans! With

Himmatwala (1983) Sridevi earned her the famous sobriquet

'Thunder Thighs'.

The same year Sridevi & Jeetendra went on giving hit after hit that were mostly

remakes of south Indian films like, Jaani Dost (1983), Justice Chaudhury (1983)

& Mawaali (1983) . They were considered the lucky team giving hit after hit.

In no time Sridevi dominated Bollywood and got her No.1 tag which she

deserved. It was not just because of the hits but because of the performances

too. 1983 was the year Sadma (1983) happened, one of Sridevi's career's finest

performances. This role was considered by Indian Express "a milestone in her

illustrious career" Sridevi also featured in the Mid Day list of 'Challenging Roles

played by Bollywood Actors' describing her act in the film as

"her best performance ever".

Down the south Sridevi continued her dominance by giving more hit films

like Sri Ranga Neethulu (1983) with A.N.R. ,Ramarajyamlo Bheemaraju (1983)

with Krishna or Adutha Varisu (1983) with Rajnikanth, but it was the movie

Mundadugu (1983) with Krishna, Shobhan Babu & Jaya Prada which celebrated

a silver Jubilee and was remade into Hindi Maqsad (1984),

The dance number between Sridevi and Jaya Prada was a huge highlight

and was repeated in the Hindi version too.

Sridevi in Ramarajyamlo Bheemaraju

In 1984 both Sridevi & Jeetendra continued their trend of hits.

Tohfa (1984) was the biggest hit that year. Its songs became so popular among

the audiences. This film established Sridevi as one of the leading actress

of Bollywood.,with Filmfare magazine declaring her "Unquestionably No.1"

on their cover. Another hit was Maqsad (1984) which featured Sridevi & Jeetendra

as brother and sister this time and they were paired instead with Rajesh Khanna

and Jaya Prada. The dance number Aajao Aajao Naagraja which featured both

Sridevi & Jaya Prada dancing at a temple was a huge hit, specially that both

were considered rivals at that time. The due gave one more hit with

Akalmand (1984) in which Sridevi played the madrasi housewife.

The same year also Inquilaab (1984) was released. A political film that

starred Sridevi opposite Amitabh Bachchan for the first time and the film

was successful at the box office. Then there was K. Vishwanth's

Jaag Utha Insan (1984) a love story between a Harijan boy and a Brahmin Girl.

Sridevi was casted opposite Mithun Chakraborty. Although the film did not do

too well at the box office but Sridevi's performance and dances were very

much appreciated.

Sridevi continued her work in the south but they were reducing gradually as

she wanted to concentrate more on Bollywood. In 1984 she delivered hits

like Kode Trachu (1984) and with Krishna Kanchu Kagada (1984)

which was super successful.

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Sridevi in Jaag Utha Insan

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Sridevi with Jeetendra in Tohfa

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Sridevi with Jeetendra and Jaya Prada in Maqsad

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Sridevi in Kanchu Kagada

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Sridevi with Jeetendra in Akalmand

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Sridevi with Amitabh Bachchan in Inquilaab

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Sridevi in Kode Trachu

The Queen continued ruling the film industry in 1985 and she was at the same

time the highest paid actress then. Though Jeetendra's own home production

Sarfarosh (1985) did not work at the box office, their film Balidaan (1985)

became successful. Masterji (1985) a K. Raghavendra Rao film with

Rajesh Khanna was another super hit.

This romantic comedy film gave Rajesh Khanna few more future films to sign.

The press gave Sridevi the full credit of its success. In the Telugu cinema

Sridevi along with Kamal Hassan gave another hit with the Telugu comedy

Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu (1985) and one more with Krishna Vajrayudham (1985).

The same year also few Sridevi's past south films were dubbed into Hindi

like to bank on her popularity in Bollywood.

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Sridevi with Jeetendra in Sarfarosh

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Sridevi with Krishna in Vajrayudham

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Sridevi with Rajesh Khanna in Masterji

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Sridevi with Kamal Hassan in Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu

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Sridevi with Jeetendra in Balidaan

In 1986 Sridevi continued her dominance by giving hit after hit with Jeetendra

be it Ghar Sansar (1986), Dharam Adhikari (1986), or Suhaagan (1986) which she

played her more daring role in the 80s. The housewife who leaves her husband

and daughter to go with her lover. Sridevi that year cleverly made a bold career

move by signing films with the next generation of heroes.

Although she starred again with Amitabh Bachchan in their hit

Akhree Raasta (1986), she then was seen opposite Jackie Shroff in

Subhash Ghai's multi starrer Karma (1986) the second biggest hit of 1986.

Feroz Khan also insisted on having Sridevi in his film Janbaaz (1986)

after she rejected playing the main part.

He made a special appearance just so she could be in the film.

Her song Har Kisi Ko Nahin Milta is a cult classic even today, it is considered

one of the most romantic songs of the 1980s. When Sridevi did the catwalk

in the song everybody was so impressed with her.

Feroz Khan told his cinematographer "She is angel, I want her to fly in the sky!"

from there came the idea of the skies in the background.

Then came fantasy film Nagina (1986) that year's biggest blockbuster in which

Sridevi played an "Ichhadhaari Nagin" a snake that can shift its shape into a

woman. Her performance and the climax dance Main Teri Dushman became rage.

Sridevi became the director Harmesh Malhotra's hero in his next few films!

Nagina also started the trend of snake movies in Bollywood.

Sridevi became out of reach, she was booked for the next 5 years by film makers

and she went on from the highest paid female actress to become the second

highest paid Bollywood star after Amitabh Bahchchan.

In the south Sridevi acted in her last Tamil film Nann Adimai Illai (1986)

which is a remake of Pyar Jhukta Nahin (1985).

The film also starred Rajnikanth, but unlike the original it did not click at the

box office. Then in the Telugu cinema she had a hit with

Khaidi Rudraiah (1986) alongside Krishna

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Sridevi in Ghar Sansar

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Sridevi in Dharam Adhikari

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Sridevi in Suhaagan

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Sridevi in Karma

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Sridevi with Feroz Khan in Janbaaz

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Sridevi in Nagina

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Sridevi in Khaidi Rudraiah

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Sridevi with Rajnikanth in Nann Adimai Illai

1987 - 1990: India's First Female Superstar

Following the huge success of Nagina (1986) was Mr. India (1987).

The film which was produced by Boney Kapoor and directed by Shekar Kapur

is one of the most iconic films of Indian cinema.

A super hero film were Sridevi starred opposite Anil Kapoor.

Sridevi's dominance over the film was very evident that both critics and

audiences went on to call it Miss India! Sridevi's imitation of Charlie Chaplin

in the film was described by Times of India as "the most hilarious act she has

ever done". Her comic timing in this film were highlighted in a big way.

Not to forget to mention that her Hawa Hawai song and dance became like an

anthem!. In addition to Mr. India (1987) Sridevi also gave more hits with Jeetendra

be it Aulad (1987) or Majaal (1987). Although their film Himmat Aur Mehanat

did not work but Sri's performance was appreciated.

Then there is the multi starrer hit Watan Ke Rakhwale (1987) with Dharmendra,

Sunil Dutt & Mithun Chakraborty. Jawab Hum Denge (1987) was another hit of

Sri with Jackie Shroff. Although Nazrana (1987) with Rajesh Khanna and

Smita Patil received positive reviews,but the film could not translate them

into figures at the box office.

During this period Sridevi became so big that she was called The Empress,

She grew so much and the queen title has become smaller than her.

Sridevi became India's First Female Superstar Unanimously.

In Bollywood and in the south industry as well. She also went on to reject

many films with Amitabh Bachchan because she felt heroines dont have

much scope in his films! Magazines came up with covers discussing who is

ruling the Hindi film industry Sridevi or Amitabh Bachchan.

It was the first time in the history of Hindi cinema that a heroine is compared

to a hero. Media projected Sridevi and Amitabh Bachchan as rivals.

Picture

Sridevi in Nazrana

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Sridevi in Aulad

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Sridevi in Himmat Aur Mehanat

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Sridevi in Mr. India

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Sridevi with Mithun Chakraborty in Watan Ke Rakhwale

In 1988 Sridevi started with a huge Telugu blockbuster Aakhari Poratam (1988)

with Nagarjuna. This K. Raghavendra Rao's action film had excellent music by

Ilayaraja and very well known chartbusters.

Then in Hindi cinema there was Ram Avatar (1986) with Anil Kapoor & Sunny Deol which is a remake of Sangam (1964) but the film did not succeed at the box office. K. Bapaiah's multi starrer

Sone Pe Suhaaga (1988) in which Sridevi was seen for the last time with Jeetendra

and which also starred Dharmendra, Anil Kapoor, Nutan, Poonam Dhillon and

Kimi Katkar was a successful film at the box office.

Sridevi also gave her super hit with Mithun Chakraborty Waqt Ki Awaz (1988)

a film that had a great opening at the box office and some memorable songs

composed by Bappi Lahiri. Then there was Harmesh Malhotra's Sherni (1988)

in which Sridevi was seen in leather as bandit queen. Although the film was

not a big success but many Sridevi fans consider it among their favorite

Sri films as it had Sri in a different avatar.

Picture

Sridevi in Sherni

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Sridevi with Jeetendra in Sone Pe Suhaaga

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Sridevi with Mithun Chakraborty in Waqt Ki Awaz

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Sridevi with Sunny Deol in Ram Avatar

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Sridevi with Nagarjuna in Aakhari Poratam

In 1989 the first Hindi film sequel ever got released, Nigahen -

Nagina II (1989), Sridevi this time played a girl with super natural powers

opposite Sunny Deol. The film though was not as successful as Nagina (1986).

Sridevi got another release opposite Mithun Chakaraborty Guru (1989),

She appeared in a double role, though the film did averagely well at the box

office it was the alleged kissing scene that Sridevi taken the film's director

Umesh Mehra to the court - for claiming that she had a kissing scene -

that took the spot of attention. Sridevi for the first time worked with Govinda

that year in Gair Kanooni (1989) a movie that have seen audiences whistle

to her comic performance. Govinda has pleaded film director Prayag Raaj

to get him in the film with Sridevi.

The film became a hit at the box office and remarks as the only Sridevi-Govinda

starrer. Yash Chopra's Chandni (1989) was another blockbuster of the year in

which Sridevi played the title role, the middle class girl. The songs became

instant hits specially Mere Haathon Mein Nau Nau Chudiyan Hain and Sridevi's

Tandav in this film is still considered as one of the most beautiful in Bollywood's

history. Chandni (1989) also brought back the trend of musical films, it also

created a new section of movie merchandising were Chandni chudi,

salwar Kameez etc were sold. Sridevi for the role had to reduce her weight a lot.

ChaalBazz (1989) another Super hit film of Sridevi was released this year

directed by Pankaj Prashar and starred Sunny Deol and Rajnikanth as support

to Sridevi who was playing a double role.

The film was a remake of Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) in which had Hema Malini

doing the double role, but Sri gave a new identity to the film with her magnificent act. Filmfare that year said that awarding Sridevi The Best Actress Award was a sure shot thing as she was

nominated for both Chandni (1989) and ChaalBaaz (1989), they just needed to

decided on which one! and at the time of function when a scene was shown

for every nominee everybody was laughing hysterically when they played

Sridevi's iconic scene Jaani yeh chaakoo hai from ChaalBaaz (1989).

This film is also considered the last film that Sunny Deol starred opposite

Sridevi. Sunny has sworn not to work with her again as there is nothing for

a hero to do in a Sridevi film!

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Sridevi in Nigahen - Nagina II

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Sridevi with Govinda in Gair Kanooni

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Sridevi with Sunny Deol in Chaalbaaz

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Sridevi in Chandni

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Sridevi in Guru

In the 1990s Sridevi has reduced her assignments a lot and she was rejecting

roles left and right. She wanted to sign films that would showcase her acting

talent more.

in 1990 Sridevi had two Bollywood releases only, Pathar Ke Insan (1990)

A thriller in which she played a dancer who loses her sanity due to the suicide

of her sister played by Poonam Dhillon and the other film was

Naaka Bandi (1990) opposite Dharmendra, Chunky Pandey & Sonam.

The films did not do well as they did not showcase much of Sri's talent.

But Naaka Bandi (1990) has one of the greatest songs any actress would have

and that is Main Lagti Hoon Sridevi, which showcased Sridevi as the Last

Iconic Female in Hindi Film Industry.

Of course the year did not go uneventful.

Sridevi along with Chiranjeevi delivered together what can be called one of

The Biggest Blockbusters ever in Telugu cinema.

Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari (1990) is a 1990 Telugu supernatural-fantasy

film, directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. The music which was a huge hit was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and some of its songs were remade in Hindi too. This blockbuster film was later dubbed in

Tamil as Kaadhal Devathai (1991), in Hindi as Aadmi Aur Apsara (1991), and in

Malayalam as Hai Sundhari (1995), capitalising on Sridevi's popularity.

he highlight of the film was Sridevi and Chiranjeevi pairing which in Telugu

has the same weight of Sridevi and Amitabh Bachchan pairing in Bollywood.

Until this day Sridevi is called Atiloka Sundari down the south,

1991 - 1997: The Last Empress

Sridevi had 3 releases in Bollywood in 1991,

Anil Sharma's Multi Starrer Farishtay (1991) with Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna

and RajniKanth. The film was produced by Sattee Shourie. This film did not do

well at the box office.

Then there is Harmesh Malhotra's Banjaran (1991) opposite Rishi Kapoor

in which they both played double roles. The film talks about past births.

However, this year got one of Sridevi's finest performances and a film that

was considered cult classic on release itself. it is Yash Chopra's Lamhe (1991).

Yash Chopra's career's best film and his personal favorite. Lamhe (1991) is

considered one of the best romantic films in the history of Bollywood,

The film had a theme that was considered ahead of its time. Sridevi played a

double role as the mother and daughter which was Yash Chopra's first double

role film. The film was critically acclaimed and had exceptional music & many

memorable songs. Unfortunately, it was not a box office success in India.

Lamhe (1991) is one of the few films that picked up the Filmfare Award for

Best Movie despite its lackluster business. Despite this the film went to

become one of the biggest Bollywood hits in the overseas market and

video circuit. Sridevi won much acclaim for both of her roles, winning the

Filmfare Best Actress Award. The film finds a place in the Times Movie Guide's

Top 100 Indian films.It is also in the Outlook magazine's list of

All-Time Great Indian films. It was during the shooting of Lamhe (1991) that

Sridevi's father passed away and she had to leave London were shooting

for the film was being done and return back to India. She did not resume

shooting until 40 days passed in which she returned to the film location in

London and did a comedy scene with Waheeda Rehman as her first scene

post her father's death.

In south cinema Sridevi gave director Ram Gopal Varma his biggest hit with

the Telugu blockbuster Kshana Kshanam (1991). A crime comedy film opposite

Venkatesh. This blockbuster was later dubbed into Hindi as Hairaan (1991).

The film got Sridevi Filmfare Telugu Best Actress Award and Nandi Award for

best Actress.

Sridevi's status has grew bigger and bigger in the 1990s. From Heroine No.1 ,

First Female Superstar and The Empress to The Last Empress.

Yes she was termed as The Last Empress. And she genuinely deserved that

as she set the standards bar so high that it made others impossible

to reach them.

In 1992 Sridevi appeared in a guest appearance as a forest goddess in the

film Aasman Se Gira (1992). Then Harmesh Malhotra again directed her along

with Anil Kapoor in the remake of Heer Ranjha (1992). Although the film was nice,

had some very nice songs and Sridevi's performance was very much

appreciated but it did not click commercially at the box office.

1992's highlight remains Khuda Gawah (1992), the movie that was described as

clash of the titans. The film which was advertised as India's No.1 actor Amitabh

Bachchan with No.1 actress Sridevi together. Khuda Gawah was made at a huge

cost, it opened to great response and became the second highest earning film

of 1992. Both Sridevi & Amitabh Bachchan got rave reviews for their wonderful

performances. Sridevi until date is the only actress that got a double role in a

movie with Amitabh Bachchan. No other actress before her or after her had this

record. There was a rumor of a sequel film that surfaced in 2013 but nothing was

confirmed. Khuda Gawah (1992) became cult classics in certain countries and

regions. For example in Kabul as per BBC "the film ran to packed houses for

10 weeks in Kabul".

Two of Sridevi's long awaited films that she signed in the 1980s were released

in 1993. One is GuruDev (1993) which was directed by late Vinod Mehra and

costarring Anil Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor. This film was delayed as Vinod Mehra

passed away in 1990 before completing the film. The film then was completed by

Raj Sippy and released it eventually in 1993. Sridevi was again appreciated in her

double roles. Reviews said she was the best thing in the film. The film did an

average business at the box office. The other long awaited film was Boney

Kapoor's Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993) which was cited as the most

expensive movie at that time. It had a budget of 10 crores. The film was initially

to be directed by Shekar Kapur when it was announced in 1987 but Shekar

walked out of the film halfway through and Satish Kaushik took over.

Though the film flopped at the box office, it is still remembered specially for

Sridevi's scenes which are filled with great comic timings.

Sridevi also shifted on signing films with younger actors and those she did not

act before with. She agreed to do Chandra Mukhi (1993) opposite Salman Khan,

a fantasy film which is considered as the first super heroine kind of films.

The story idea was written by Salman Khan exclusively for Sridevi to play the

part. Another actor Sridevi worked with for the first time is Sanjay Dutt,

she starred opposite him in the remake of the Australian mini series

Bangkok Hilton as Gumrah (1993). The film was all the way Sridevi's and

she received great reviews and appreciation for it.

Mahesh Bhatt's Gumrah (1993) did reasonably well at the box office.

In 1994 Sridevi worked for the second time with Ram Gopal Varma in the

Telugu film Govinda Govinda (1994). She costarred with Nagarjuna but the film

did not do well. The movie later was dubbed in Hindi as Great Robbery (1996).

Another Telugu film was released this year for Sridevi and Chiranjeevi,

S. P. Parasuram (1994). Although the film did not get a positive word of mouth,

it eventually did a very good business due to the stars popularity in the south.

In Bollywood Sridevi had two releases. One was Saawan Kumar's Chaand Kaa

Tukdaa (1994) opposite Salman Khan.

The film was not made well and flopped at the box office and the other was

Raj Kanwar's Laadla (1994) which had Sridevi in a negative role.

Sheetal Jetley is one of Sridevi's landmark roles. She started the trend of the

lead heroine having a negative side. She played her character to perfection

and overshadowed everybody in the film. The film was a remake of a Tamil &

Telugu versions which were both offered to Sridevi but rejected them.

When she was offered the Hindi version she rejected it again and the role

went to Divya Bharti. Divya passed away and the role went back to Sridevi.

Laadla (1994) was one of the main hit films of 1994. When Chiranjeevi was asked

why his film did not make better business than the Hindi version he said

"Because Laadla had Sridevi"!

Sridevi had no releases in 1995.

In 1996 she starred along with Anil Kapoor in Mr. Bechara (1996),

although the film had a somehow appealing story it did not succeed at the box

office. This was followed by Army (1996) in which was said to be a Sholay

like film with Sridevi doing all the characters herself. The film had

Shah Rukh Khan playing Sridevi's husband in a guest role.

When Shah Rukh Khan was asked for the reason why he did the film he said

" So I can tell my grandchildren that I have acted with a living legend".

Army (1996) did decent business at the box office and Sridevi's performance

was appreciated. In the Malayalam cinema Sridevi acted with Arvind Swami in

Devaraagam (1996). The film was a box office success and Sridevi's performance

received huge positive response.

Picture

Sridevi with Anil Kapoor in Mr. Bechara

Picture

Sridevi with Shah Rukh Khan in Army

Picture

Sridevi in Devaraagam

The year 1997 Sridevi had 2 releases. Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha (1997).

A Partho Gosh suspense thriller opposite Rishi Kapoor. The film was not

received too well at the box office. And then there was Boney Kapoor's

Judaai (1997) which Sridevi played one of her controversial characters

who sells her husband to another woman for the greed of money.

Judaai (1997) was Sridevi's film all the way, it costarred Anil Kapoor and

Urmila Matondkar. The film started slow at the box office but then due to

extreme positive word of mouth it went to become one of the major hits

of 1997 & Sridevi's performance went to become one of the many iconic

characters she played in Bollywood.

It was during the filming Judaai (1997) that Sridevi's mother had a tragic

death and also during the shooting of the film Sridevi was already married

to Boney Kapoor but everything was kept secretly.

After Judaai's release both Sri & Boney announced their marriage.

Due to the huge success of the film they've even named their first born

daughter after the name of Urmila Matondkar's character in the film Jhanvi.

Picture

Sridevi with Anil Kapoor in Judaai

Picture

Sridevi in Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha

1998 - 2011: A 14 Year Hiatus

After marriage Sridevi has taken a hiatus from Bollywood, even though

there were big offers from big film makers like Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai

and others, Sridevi decided to stay away from cinema to raise her child and

take care of her family. in 2002 Sridevi decided on making a comeback

to Bollywood with her own home production with the remake of Not Without

My Daughter named as Shakti The Power (2002), however Sri found out that

she was pregnant with her second daughter Khushi. She then decided on

giving that role to another actress. Karisma Kapoor eventually starred in the

movie.In 2004 Sridevi had the sitcom with Sahara One called Malini Iyer

which was about a Tamil housewife who is married to a Punjabi guy.

The same year her long delayed and unfinished film

Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin (2004) was released opposite Akshay Kumar.

This film was in the making for over 10 years. Both Sridevi & Akshay Kumar

refused to complete the film and stand beside the director who had a big fight

with the producer of the film. Eventually the producer brought other artists

to complete Sri & Akshay's unfinished scenes and others to dub their voices!

In this period Sridevi kept her social presence felt be it in weddings,

award functions, film premieres or few TV shows.

In 2009 Sridevi appeared with Boney Kapoor in Salman Khan's

TV Show 10 Ka Dum.

Picture

Sridevi in & as Malini Iyer

Picture

Sridevi with Akshay Kumar in Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin

2012: The Best Comeback Ever!

Sridevi is too talented to stay away from cameras.

In October 2012 her comeback film with debut director Gauri Shinde's

English Vinglish (2012) was released in Toronto Film Festival were the

audiences went gaga over the film and Sri's performance.

The film team received a 10 minutes standing ovation for that!. international

media outlets hailed Sridevi as the "Meryl Streep of India."

Two weeks later America's entertainment weekly Variety wrote in its review

of English Vinglish (2012) that it found Sridevi "Disarmingly charming in

a manner that recalls Audrey Hepburn."

Upon release in India the film got very positive reviews. Critic Subhash K Jha

gave a 4.5 saying Sridevi "makes the contemporary actresses, even the coolest

ones, look like jokes...If you watch only two films every year make sure you see

"English Vinglish" twice!"

The Times of India gave it 4/5 calling it "Easily one of the best films of 2012..

.Sri's performance is a masterclass for actors...Request you to make a little

place next to you, Rajkumar Hirani; Gauri Shinde has taken a bow in mainstream

Bollywood." Komal Nahta said it was 'beyond stars' applauded Sridevi saying she "makes the best comeback in Bollywood history and delivers a landmark performance."

The film and Sridevi's performance was loved by masses and classes.

English Vinglish (2012) made an excellent business in India, and overseas

it went on to become the Bollywood's highest performing Heroine oriented film

in terms of overseas box office collections. The same year Sridevi has won

every single poll online. Audiences voted her as their favorite actress and

favorite performance of 2012. With English Vinglish (2012) Sridevi created a

history, broke a record, and yet again set the bar higher for standards.

This is indeed The Best Comeback Ever Bollywood ever witnessed for both

males and females.

Picture

Sridevi in English Vinglish

Picture

Sridevi in English Vinglish

2013 - 2015

In 2013 and after her triumph comeback Sridevi received the Padma Shri,

India's fourth highest civilian award from the Government of India.

Although we think this should have been given to her years back due to

her immense contribution to Indian cinema. The same year Sridevi was voted

'India's Greatest Actress of All Time' in a CNN-IBN Poll.

Offers after English Vinglish (2012) were coming but Sridevi was rejecting

them left and right. Be it the remake of Great Expectations into Hindi Fitoor

which went to Rekha, Rajesh Roshan's directorial debut or others.

In 2013 & 2014 Sridevi's English Vinglish (2012) continued conquering the

world. Despite the film being a 2012 release it premiered in many other

countries be it Japan, Korea, Hong Kong or Germany!

The film was loved all over the world. In Hong Kong the film went on to

become the second biggest Bollywood hit ever! In Japan Sridevi was

hailed as the 'Female Rajinikanth of Japan" and the movie got a

terrific response.

Sridevi is currently shooting for the Tamil film Puli starring Vijay,

Sudeep, Shruti Hassan and Hansika Motwani. Sridevi will be playing an

important role Queen Meenakshi. The film is expected to be released in 2015.

And there is also her own home production untitled film in which she will play

the lead character.

Sridevi voted as The Greatest Actress Ever

Little Facts about Sridevi

- Sridevi writes her own name as Sree Devi

- Her father was a lawyer

- Her mother used to take care of all her financials and shooting schedules.

MARILYN MONTROE

Saturday, 13 August 2016

SRI DEVI -INDIA `S FIRST SUPER STAR AND JAPANESE FAVOURITE ACTRESS NEXT TO RAJINI

SRI DEVI -INDIA `S FIRST SUPER STAR AND JAPANESE

FAVOURITE ACTRESS NEXT TO RAJINI

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