Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi on the sets of Khuda Gawah

Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi on the sets of Khuda Gawah

June 1990, MOVIE magazine 

MOVIE magazine, "There is madness in all genius and I'm no exception. So inspite of a searing sun, I trudged all the way to Filmistan to watch the king and queen (Amitabh and Sridevi) sweat it out together on the sets of Khuda Gawah. Overdressed to their toes, they looked like Sindhi chandeliers. "Their outfits cost rupees one lakh each," someone whispered to me. No wonder they had no money left over to shoot at Afghanistan, the original location. "Yeh log to mujhe K. Asif banake chodenge," lamented the producer, Manoj Desai. "Film bante bante main mar jaaonga." On the sets however it was a poor sweaty Amitabh who was dying a thousand deaths. "Afghanistan ke kapde, Filmistan main pehna rahe hain. Yeh kya insaaf hai?" 

Tumhari pictures 25 weeks ke badle 25 days chalti hain. Yeh kya insaaf hai?"

Amitabh Bachchan presents Sridevi with her Best Actress Filmfare trophy

 

It's Amitabh Bachchan's 84th birthday today... and I should really find a pic celebrating his vast achievements... instead this image popped up on social media... This is one of our fav pics of Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi together on stage. 

Sridevi won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for her dual role as Anju and Manju in Chaalbaaz at the 35th Filmfare Awards. The ceremony took place in 1990 (honoring the films of 1989). 

She famously received her trophy on stage from Amitabh Bachchan. She was nominated twice in the Best Actress category that year - for both Chaalbaaz and Yash Chopra's Chandni - ultimately winning the trophy for Chaalbaaz. 

There were no sure-fires in the early days of Filmfare - now they are predictable as can be - but that night, the fact that Sridevi attended (a rarity), most of the audience knew it was Sridevi's year all the way. Unsubstantiated rumour has it that Yash Chopra said Sridevi should have won for Chandni as it was an original performance - Chaalbaaz was Seetha aur Geetha lite of course...  Our argument is, Sridevi's performance wasn't derivative of Hema Malini's, she put her unique spin on it. Several actors have played Hamlet, Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet, so why can't actors perform the double role challenge as Dilip Kumar, Hema Malini, Sridevi and Anil Kapoor have. 

BTW the year Lamhe was nominated for multiple awards, Yash Chopra, heart-broken by the press and lukewarm reception at the box-office, did not even turn up for the award show, under the illusion that his movie wouldn't do well during the ceremony. Funnily enough Chopra, a huge champion of the industry, attended every Filmfare show from the beginning. And the year his movie was nominated for nearly a dozen awards, he didn't leave his room. The governing board at the time handed out not one but five awards to the movie - much to the pleasure and delight of the surprised winner. 

It got Yash Chopra out of bed, Dilip Kumar famously went to visit him and ignited the fire yet again to make movies. And Yash Chopra went on to make Darr with Shahrukh Khan - and never looked back. He went on to make ONLY hits and blockbusters from then on, till his last film, the premonition-filled title, Jab Tak Hai Jaan. 

Indeed he worked till the very end. When he announced his retirement on stage on the eve of his swansong's release... the end was indeed nigh.  

Yash Chopra stated that his top three favourites of all-time were Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi  He said every star/actor had a limitation, only these three had infinite talent. Sridevi proved as much, Khan and Bachchan and continue to show till date, there are no limitations and "rest is rust" - so they keep working on passion projects, age be damned! 

I think of all the unperformed films Sridevi could have, would have shone in - she was well on her way to bring in a Best Actress Academy Award to India - her contribution to cinema being beyond compare. 

Alas.

Alas.

Alas. 

Amitabh Bachchan with Sridevi: Big B turns 84

Amitabh Bachchan with Sridevi
Dec 1990

 

Pre-publicity shoot leading up to Khuda Gawah, this photoshoot - by photographer Rakesh Shreshta - with Amitabh Bachchan, 48, and Sridevi, 28, in all white was a cover that many magazines shared - long before exclusive deals with star and celebrity was established by publishing houses.

Getting two of the biggest superstars together for a film was hard enough, for a magazine shoot? Near impossible, so clearly all the magazines shared the images. Albeit reluctantly. Which editor wouldn't like an exclusive?! 

Those were the days. 

Thinking of Amitabh Bachchan today on his grand 84th birthday. 

Thinking of Sridevi daily as she only had 54 birthdays... 

The fates of many are written in the stars. Even of those whom we consider superstars... 
 

This photoshoot with the superstars is... beyond. 

Amitabh Bachchan with Sridevi over the years

Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi over the years.

The initial Khuda Gawah review published in G magazine.  

A photo of the legends at the Khuda Gawah premiere. 

Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi in the film Inquilaab. 

Power of Three: Sridevi edition: Icons only

Cine royalty; Catherine Deneuve, Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi

Rekha, Hema Malini and Sridevi

 

Arjun Kapoor, Sridevi and Boney Kapoor

Sridevi (left) Jayasudha (center) Jayachitra (right)

Khuda Gawah publicity stills: Sridevi, Nagarjuna, Amitabh Bachchan

 

As Amitabh Bachchan had issued a media ban, not giving interviews or being part of press conferences or publicity shenanigans was the norm for most of the 1980s and early 1990s. In retaliation of sorts, it was such a huge media trend to shrink the box-office numbers to even his wildly successful movies. Hum was a huge hit, so was Khuda Gawah - the numbers don't lie. Certain editors however... 

A bizarre upmanship between the press and a reigning superstar - when AB Snr started talking to the press, so many of his quotes appear defensive. 

Take the post release interviews of Khuda Gawah - a massive film, a large-scale grand epic. Not without its flaws of course, but it had a great run. Sridevi rarely spoke to the press as it is - so Bachchan Snr spoke about the collections, how well a film was or wasn't doing. Ever articulate, ever aware, he relayed facts and figures. All those editors and magazines that criticised him, are nowhere today. Bachchan is Bachchan. Still guilding the way with his own everlasting light. 

Amitabh Bachchan with Sridevi on stage: Jooma Jooma Nite from 1991

Amitabh Bachchan with Sridevi on stage: Jooma Jooma Nite from 1991

More in the archive here. 

Amitabh Bachchan, Sridevi and Kamal Haasan in Khabardaar (1984): Shelved Film from the 80s

All the acting powerhouses and superstars of that era together in one movie? What a film this could have been! Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Sridevi and Jaya Prada in the shelved but lavishly launched film, Khabardaar. Alas, the movie was never completed after a roaring launch in 1984. But we have an archive of images and stills of the movie here. 

Grok tried to amend and restore this rarely seen newspaper scan from way back when... Alas, it didn't do a brilliant job on AB Snr! More success with Sri and Kamal Haasan... 

Amitabh Bachchan, Sridevi, Aamir Khan, Juhi Chawla on the cover of Stardust: RIP Stardust

 

Amitabh Bachchan posts image of himself flanked by Sridevi and Neelam

Amitabh Bachchan posts image of himself flanked by Sridevi and Neelam
 

Anupam Kher, Amitabh Bachchan, Sridevi and film producer/director Ramesh Sippy of Ram ki Sita, Shyam ki Gita

 

Anupam Kher, Amitabh Bachchan, Sridevi and film producer/director Ramesh Sippy of Ram ki Sita, Shyam ki Gita. Alas this double/double role--Sridevi and Amitabh Bachchan x 2--case of mistaken identity and mishaps never went beyond the launch. 

What a film it could have been! Directed by Ramesh 'Sholay' Sippy no less... 

Coulda woulda shoulda... 

Archive with more info, images and even a clip in the archive here.

Which actor paired best with Sridevi in Hindi films? A look at the joint filmography of Sridevi with Anil Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Jeetendra and Amitabh Bachchan

In Tamil, it was obviously Kamal Haasan, be it critical or commercial success or the sheer volume of films they did together, Sridevi and Kamal Haasan on the big screen were unbeatable. In Telegu, Sridevi did more films with Krishna than seems humanly possible. 

When it comes to Hindi films... its a different story. Sridevi paired with several leading men in Hindi cinema, particularly in the 1980s and 1990s. 

"Success ratio" here refers to the percentage of films considered hits, blockbusters, or commercially successful (including "broke even" or average performers where noted as viable successes in trade terms), versus outright flops. We are not talking about the meritocracy here as Lamhe is easily many a critic's favourite film but commercially, it met with such a lukewarm reception. 

Note: Only released Hindi theatrical films where they shared significant screen time are counted (guest cameos or no shared scenes are noted but often excluded from core pairing ratios). Unreleased or shelved projects are ignored. Success is defined broadly as "hit or better" unless specified.

With Anil KapoorThey appeared together in around 12–15 films (depending on whether minor cameos/guest roles like in Jaanbaaz, Karma, or Joshilaay are included; core opposite pairings are fewer). Major ones include Mr. India (1987), Lamhe (1991), Laadla (1994), Judaai (1997), Ram-Avtar (1988), Heer Ranjha (1992), Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993), Gurudev (1993), and Mr. Bechara (1996).

• Successful (Hits/Blockbusters/Broke even): Mr. India (hit), Laadla (hit), Judaai (hit), Lamhe (broke even/cult), Gurudev (broke even), Mr. Bechara (broke even). Some sources count ~5–7 successes.
• Flops: Ram-Avtar, Heer Ranjha, Roop Ki Rani..., plus others like Sone Pe Suhaaga (shared but not core pairing).
• Approximate success ratio: ~50–60% (e.g., 6–8 successful out of 12–14 core films). Their pairing had iconic highs (Mr. India, Lamhe) but mixed results overall, with stronger commercial pull in the 1990s.

With Rishi KapoorThey worked together in about 5–6 released Hindi films: Nagina (1986), Chandni (1989), Banjaran (1991), Gurudev (1993; shared with others), Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha (1997). One unreleased project (Garajna) is excluded.

• Successful: Nagina (super hit, second biggest of 1986), Chandni (super hit, third biggest of 1989), Banjaran (hit). Gurudev is often listed as broke even/average.
• Flops: Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha.
• Success ratio: ~70–80% (4–5 successful out of 5–6). This was one of her most consistent and critically appreciated pairings, driven by big musical hits.

With Amitabh Bachchan They co-starred in 4 released Hindi films: Inquilaab (1984), Aakhree Raasta (1986), Khuda Gawah (1992; Sridevi in double role), and English Vinglish (2012; Bachchan in a special cameo). Other projects were shelved or non-film (e.g., stage/TV).

• All successful: Every one was a hit or better (Khuda Gawah was among the year's highest grossers; English Vinglish was a major comeback hit).
• Success ratio: 100%. Their collaborations were limited but highly successful, often leveraging Bachchan's stature with Sridevi's star power.

With JeetendraThis was one of her most prolific pairings in the early–mid 1980s, with 16 films (including one guest appearance): Himmatwala (1983), Mawaali (1983), Tohfa (1984), Akalmand (1984), Jaani Dost (1983), Justice Chaudhary (1983), Suhagan (1986), Ghar Sansar (1986), Aulad (1987), Balidaan (1985), Dharm Adhikari (1986), Sone Pe Suhaaga (1988), and others like Maqsad (1984). Flops included Sarfarosh (1985), Aag Aur Shola (1986; guest), Himmat Aur Mehanat (1987).

• Successful: 12–13 hits (many were blockbusters or solid performers like Himmatwala, which relaunched Jeetendra's career alongside Sridevi's rise; Tohfa, Mawaali, etc.).
• Flops: 3.
• Success ratio: ~80–85% (12–13 successful out of 16). This was a high-volume, high-success "mass entertainer" pairing typical of 1980s formula films.

These ratios reflect commercial performance at the time of release (adjusted for budgets and territories). Sridevi often elevated films with her screen presence, dances, and dual roles, even in multi-starrers. According to stats, Amitabh Bachchan wins by a large margin, then Jeetendra, then Anil Kapoor and finally Rishi Kapoor. However, the popularity of two films, Nagina and Chandni especially, outweighs so many other movies... It eventually boils down not to stats, but opinion.