Sridevi: The Eternal Diva of Indian Cinema!

Sridevi: The First Female Superstar Who Ruled All of Indian Cinema!

Sridevi (born Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan, August 13, 1963 – February 24, 2018) stands as a monumental figure in Indian cinema, widely regarded as the nation's first female superstar. With a staggering career spanning over 300 films across five languages, she effortlessly blended comedy, drama, and dance, commanding an unmatched screen presence that often overshadowed her male co-stars.

A Pan-Indian Prodigy: Early Career

Sridevi's cinematic journey began at the remarkable age of four, making her debut as a child artist in the 1967 Tamil film Kandhan Karunai. Her early career was prolific across South Indian cinema; she acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films, demonstrating exceptional talent early on. She won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist for the Malayalam film Poompatta (1971).

Her transition to adult lead roles began in the 1976 Tamil film Moondru Mudichu at the age of 13, where she starred alongside icons Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. Her subsequent work in films like 16 Vayathinile (Tamil, 1977) and its Telugu remake Padaharella Vayasu (1978) established her as a major force in regional cinema. Her work ethic was legendary; she often worked multiple shifts a day, sometimes releasing dozens of films in a short span.

Bollywood Domination: The Golden Era

Sridevi made her Hindi cinema debut as a child artist in Rani Mera Naam (1972) and later in Julie (1975). Her first adult lead role in Bollywood was Solva Sawan (1979), but her commercial breakthrough came with the 1983 action-drama Himmatwala. This film, along with blockbusters like Mawaali (1983) and Tohfa (1984), cemented her status as the reigning actress of the 1980s.

She delivered a string of iconic and versatile performances that highlighted her sheer dominance:

• Mr. India (1987): Playing the goofy crime journalist Seema, the film showcased her remarkable comedic timing, especially in the "Hawa Hawai" song and her unforgettable Charlie Chaplin impersonation.
• Nagina (1986): A supernatural thriller where she played an Ichchadhari Nagin (shape-shifting serpent), which became one of the highest-grossing films of the year and cemented her ability to carry a film single-handedly.
• ChaalBaaz (1989): A slapstick comedy where she masterfully played twins with contrasting personalities, earning her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.
• Chandni (1989): This romantic musical, directed by Yash Chopra, was a cultural phenomenon and revived the romantic genre in Bollywood, with Sridevi's titular role becoming synonymous with grace and elegance.
• Lamhe (1991): Critically lauded for her challenging dual role as mother and daughter, earning her another Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

The Comeback and Final Act

After marrying producer Boney Kapoor in 1996 and starring in Judaai (1997), Sridevi took a 15-year hiatus from film to focus on her family.

Her return to the silver screen in English Vinglish (2012) was hailed as one of the most successful comebacks in Indian cinema history. Her sensitive and nuanced portrayal of a homemaker struggling with the English language earned her widespread critical acclaim. Her final leading role was the critically successful crime thriller Mom (2017), which marked her 300th film and earned her the posthumous National Film Award for Best Actress.

Sridevi’s legacy is defined by her ability to transcend linguistic and genre barriers, her extraordinary expressive eyes, and her undeniable power to draw audiences solely on her name—a testament to her title as India's first and true female superstar.

Sridevi's contribution to Indian cinema is immeasurable. She was more than just an actress; she was an icon, a role model, and a symbol of strength and grace.