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.

Gauri Shinde recalls rare bonding with late Sridevi!

Veteran actress late Sridevi cemented a whole new fan base when she made her comeback as Shashi Godbole with Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish in 2012.

The megastar's ill-timed death last year came as a jolt to numerous and now almost more than a year later, her closest friends are reminiscing tales of the star. Director Gauri Shinde, husband Boney Kapoor, Deepika Padukone came together for the book launch of 'Sridevi: The Eternal Screen Goddess' by Satyarth Nayak.

Remembering her time while shooting English Vinglish, Gauri revealed, "I enjoyed the whole process of working with her. We got along so well, we understood each other so well. I think what connected us was our ability to express ourselves through anything but work. She had such a great sense of humour, which was why she could be so funny on screen."

What she loved the most, Gauri further added, "So it was so fascinating to watch someone just transform in a few minutes from this smiling person in private to this diva on screen."

Talking about their first meeting, an emotional Gauri revealed, "By the end of that first date, I had a feeling that both of us would want to go on our second date. There was instant chemistry, instant love and it is rare and it was too special."

My mother would expect us to be there for Janhvi and Khushi, reveals Arjun Kapoor!

After Sridevi's unfortunate demise, Arjun Kapoor has been with father Boney Kapoor and sisters Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor. The actor has been seen hosting dinner for them along with his younger sister Anshula Kapoor. The sibling duo makes sure to spend a quality time with Boney, Janhvi and Khushi.

Furthermore, Arjun Kapoor has been a caring and possessive brother to his sister and has proved it time and again through social media and interviews. Lately, Arjun went on to tweet about a blog which was titled 'A good upbringing by an inspiring mom!!!' and had his photograph with Janhvi, Khushi and Anshula from Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja's marriage.

Arjun posted, "Hey @aakanksha3131 , me & @anshulakapoor represent our mother every single second we live...she would expect us to have been standing next to our father no matter what n be there for Janhvi & Khushi... thank you for ur kind words bout our mother...as she would say god bless u..."

Arjun lately criticized media for reporting about Janhvi being trolled. He tweeted about how trolls are given attention by the media and want celebs to react on the same.

My soulmate lives within me forever, says Boney Kapoor recalls Sridevi!

Well-known actress Sridevi passed away on February 24, 2018 in Dubai. Sridevi was in the UAE with her family to attend the marriage of Mohit Marwah and Antra Motiwala. Sridevi had stayed back to shop for daughter Janhvi for her debut movie, Dhadak. She accidentally drowned in her hotel bath-tub. Her loss has saddened her admirers and her family, who are yet to come to terms with her demise.

Recently, on their wedding anniversary, Boney Kapoor posted a video of Sridevi from the wedding in Ras Al Khaimah. He wrote, “Today would have been our 22nd wedding anniversary. Jaan... My wife, my soulmate, the epitome of love, grace , warmth and laughter lives within me forever..”

The video sees Sridevi having a celebration time with family members at the marriage, days before her ill-fated demise. It ends with the message, “You were more than a legend, your vacuum will always be felt. “

Janhvi to reveal about mom Sridevi’s hesitation for her acting career!

Janhvi Kapoor is doing her Bollywood debut with Dhadak. She stars with Ishaan Khatter in the film that is the remake of the Marathi superhit film, Sairat. The movie is scheduled to hit the theatres on July 20, 2018.

Presently, Janhvi gave her first ever interview to Karan Johar for Vogue. She disclosed that her mother Sridevi never wanted her to become an actor. She revealed, “She never wanted me to be an actress. She was more relaxed about Khushi getting into films. She thought I was naïve, that I wasn’t thick-skinned enough. She wanted us to live a more relaxed life. She loved what she did but you know it was intense.”

She also recalled Sridevi’s reaction when she dropped her to Los Angeles for her acting course. “She said, “Phool ko kichad mein chhod kar chali ja rahi hu main!” (“I’m leaving my little flower in the muck”). In the wild, wild west. I think it’s cool to be naïve. It takes a certain amount of courage to not be pessimistic. I’d like to believe there is good in everyone,” Janhvi revealed.

Late Sridevi was a mother like figure for Deepika Padukone!

International actress Deepika Padukone was left stunned and saddened by the news of Sridevi’s tragic demise. Deepika was amongst the first stars to reach Anil Kapoor’s house to meet the grieving family. Deepika also flew in from Bengaluru to attend Sridevi’s condolence meet. Sridevi passed away on February 24, 2018 after accidentally drowning in her hotel bathtub.

In a media chat, Deepika was questioned about her memories of Sridevi. She revealed, “My relationship with Sridevi was beyond the movies. She was like a mother figure to me. After every single film of mine after Love Aaj Kal, I would get a call from Boney Kapoor and after he congratulated me, Sri would come on the line. I developed a sense of familiarity and comfort with her. A few days before she left for Ras al Khaimah in the UAE, she spoke to me.”

Late Sridevi's throwback memories with daughters Janhvi and Khushi!

Late Sridevi, Khushi Kapoor and Jhanvi Kapoor

We received a throwback photograph of late actor Sridevi with her daughters Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor and they are tin great moments of mother-daughter goal.