Mahurat of Chandni : Throwback to 1988

This is early 1988, Sridevi, flanked by Vinod Khanna and Rishi Kapoor, take the stage as film's legendary producer and director looks on behind the camera. 

Famed film critic and cinema historian Anupama Chopra - whose mother Kaamna Chandra wrote the story - reminisced about how beautiful Sridevi looked that night as she glowed in a white sari... If only videos and more images of such cine-historical moments existed. 

Sridevi in and as Chandni: On screen perfection

 

Sridevi Rockin' her Star and Style

Now defunct, Star and Style was a filmy gossip rag that had centerfolds such as these. Believe it or not, its from the set of Chandni. If you go through the film, Sridevi appears in this look in a fleeting scene.

Everything about this look is so... 80s. Love it.

Click to enlarge

Sridevi's alter ego according to MOVIE magazine: Chandni

SRIDEVI 

"....She herself disavows the Hindi version of Sadma "because I was more spontaneous the first time round in the Tamil version." Besides, her voice was dubbed in Hindi. Else Sadma could've been the Tamil tigress' best performance. 

The eerie echoes of a six year old's re-emergence from within the winding tunnels of memory were all the more achingly vivid for their naturalism. Later on, as it often happens when a performer seeks assurance of perfection from applause to previous work, Sridevi happily evolved from playing 16 going on six to forever going on 16. 

The act worked in Mr India like a charm. It also worked for her in Chandni, her highest commercial success. But by Lamhe, the facial aerobics and shrill, jagged voice had begun to scrape nerves. It was like ruining a Balenciaga gown by enthusiastically wearing it once too often. 

She should've had it attended to right after Chandni, her biggest and most brilliant triumph. Chandni happened at the right time to Sridevi. She had the confidence of one who has nothing left to prove. She was the unchallenged No.1, youthful, beautiful, zestful, enormously versatile, ecstatic and she wasn't just playing cute, she was as cute as a cuddly Cheshire kitten, Sri as Chandni was inspired casting. 

Chandni was her alter ego (I wonder if Sri has ever realised that). A girl with a gift for bringing joy to the lives she touched, a girl born for loving and living to the full, a girl with a lot of pride and courage and such a wide streak of obstinacy, she'd never say die. 

CHANDNI SHE WASN'T JUST PLAYING CUTE, SHE WAS AS CUTE AS A CUDDLY CHESHIRE KITTEN. SRIDEVI AS CHANDNI WAS INSPIRED CASTING. CHANDNI WAS HER ALTER EGO

 

NOTE: Well, obviously I don't agree with all the above - I didn't find Sridevi shrill in Lamhe - in fact, it is the favourite performance of many - perhaps even more than Chandni. But then, an editorial opinion is just that, an opinion. You can't get it right all the time - I mean, they spelt Chandni wrong in the entire copy! To err is human... 

For the uninitiated, 

An alter ego - Latin for "other I" - refers to a secondary identity, distinct persona, or alternate self that exists alongside a person's primary personality. It can manifest in various ways: as a deliberately created performer persona used to explore uninhibited aspects of oneself, a secret identity in fiction, or a psychological manifestation of suppressed desires and traits. Whether adopted consciously for artistic expression or existing as a conceptual mirror, an alter ego allows an individual to channel impulses, emotions, or capabilities that their everyday persona might otherwise constrain. 

Sridevi's chiffon saris from Chandni (1989)

The prevailing memory of Sridevi in Chandni would be her innumerable outfits and ensembles in white... But for a brief moment, Sridevi appears in this chiffon sari looking effortlessly elegant and immeasurably beautiful during a song sequence. 

Yash Chopra's musical made a seismic shift in the way Bollywood movies were being made at the time. Worth watching, and re-watching again. And again. 

The gorgeous rom com and musical, Chandni (1989). 

Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi in Chandni (1989)

Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi in Chandni (1989)

Chandni's mellow yellow saris: Not just white for Sridevi

Of the 63 or so ensembles, saris, salwars and wowsa wardrobe looks Sridevi sported in and as Chandni, most people remember her predominantly in white in the film - as this luminescent Goddess on the big screen. This was back in 1989 and Indian fashion at its peak. Sridevi worked every look, colour and style in the movie. Some of our other fan favourite looks were more of this sun-kissed yellow. 

Fact of the matter is, Sridevi looked good in every colour. 

Sridevi in Chandni: Hiya!

Sridevi, 25, in Chandni: Hiya! 

Could she be any cuter... 

Released on 14 Sep 1989, the film was a runaway blockbuster. A classic of the genre from the 1980s, the rom-com-musical. 

Chandni (1989): Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi in Switzerland

Sridevi's iconic title-role and film, Chandni. She and Rishi Kapoor sparkled in the film. Flawless performances by both.

Released on 28 November 1986. 

Rishi Kapoor and Sridevi in Chandni

Everything you wanted to know about the film and a collection of pics from this flawless movie here.

Sridevi in Chandni

Sridevi

Click to enlarge

Celebrating Chandni: 37 Years of a Yash Chopra Classic

 

Released on 5 September 1989, its 37 years of a Yash Chopra-Sridevi-Rishi Kapoor-Vinod Khanna-Shiv Hari-'s classic! The film had a flawless cast on screen, and crew off screen. 

Can't believe its been 37 years! 

I remember watching the VHS cassette of this early on and being mesmerised by the movie... 

Chandni: now and forever: Sridevi's most memorable title role

Tomorrow is the 37th anniversary of Chandni - Sridevi's alter ego on the big screen. Easily her most memorable title role, a career defining hit, role, performance, style... everything about the film... just magic. 

Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor: Remembering Chintuji on his birth anniversary

 

One of the most successful, enduring careers in Bollywood, Rishi Kapoor was one of a kind - and a severely underappreciated actor of consequence and importance. The ease in front of the camera, dialogue delivery, keeping up with the times, his investment in his roles, his uncensored opinions, his way with words, confidence, temperament... everything was larger than life and meant for the big screen. 

His brutal honestly got in his way on occasion - well, mostly on social media, but he'll forever be remembered for his performances, hits, and the legacy of the Kapoor name that lasts till date.

Remembering him on his birth anniversary today. He fought cancer for long, without declaring it in the public, but succumbed to it at age 67. Pity. He would have turned a hearty 74 today but alas... fate had something else in store for him. 

He acted with Sridevi in only six films - but what films! Perhaps most memorable, Chandni - in 1989. As Sridevi herself stated, had it not been for Rishi Kapoor providing the perfect foil, the film couldn't have worked. Sridevi had the title role, was in nearly every frame, but Rishi Kapoor's effortless acting was a masterclass, and he held his own. He should have won Best Actor for this film too. But... Filmfare works in mysterious ways... 

Sridevi with Rishi Kapoor in Chandni (1989)

Remembering Rishi Kapoor today on his birth anniversary. Born on 4 Sep 1952, Rishi Kapoor's underrated performance in Chandni needs to be revisited. He was fantastic; matched Sridevi step by step. Be it in the comedy, drama, the songs and dances... a natural foil to the exuberant Sridevi. 

He was the most fun, outspoken man of his time. Always gave great interviews. 

1989: Chandni's film poster: Hand painted iconography

The fading art of painting posters for Hindi films. 

Some of the original prints and posters make a fortune in the auction market. Alas, rarely does the money filter down to the original artists. 

Chandni and Lamhe had incredible art. Yash Raj films knew the power of the image. Note how striking all their visuals have been from the get-go. 

Chandni (1989): Yash Chopra's classic

Film producer and director Yash Chopra said about Sri, "Sridevi is such a good actress that she merged into the character of my heroine Chandni. She made the character overpower her star image. That is her biggest asset. Imagine an actress from the south has become a living character in the north! Now you have Chandni sarees, salwar kameez and even chudiyan."

Sridevi at the premiere of Chandni

From an old newspaper scan so the colours have faded and even the Grok restoration of the image from 1989 is just not... right.

Glorous Sridevi at the premiere of the film synonymous with her; Chandni.