Sridevi in the film Gair Kanooni

Sridevi in the film Gair Kanooni

One of the many comedy scenes in the film. Though it had Govinda as co-star and lots of lighthearted moments, the movie was... just ok. 80s was a strange decade for Bollywood. 

Legend has it David Dhawan had met Sridevi briefly and discussed working together, alas nothing went beyond their informal chat. 

Sridevi didn't work with him, Priyadarshan or Mani Rathnam, or Vidhu Vinod Chopra or Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Its their loss.. .well, its a loss for Indian cinema/ 

Sridevi's comical mujra in Gair Kanooni (1989)

In one of the few mujras Sridevi ever did on-screen (unlike say her '80s contemporary Rekha), Sridevi brought a comedic twist to the song Tum Jo Parda Rakhoge in Gair Kanooni (1989). A rare film where she was paired with Govinda (who is the same age as Sridevi but came into the film scene after her), the movie was an average grosser. 

Gair Kanooni was released on March 24, 1989.  This action-comedy directed by Prayag Raj paired Sridevi with Govinda and featured Kimi Katkar, Shashi Kapoor, and Kader Khan in supporting roles, alongside a notable special appearance by Rajinikanth.  

Celebrating Sridevi and Govinda's only film together: Gair Kanooni (1989)

 

Celebrating Sridevi and Govinda's only film together: Gair Kanooni (1989)! 

Released on 24 March 1989, the long-delayed film (Sridevi and Govinda shrink and enlarge in scenes to a rather comical effect!) was a surprise hit.

Personally, not a huge fan of the film, but it sure has its moments of comedic flair, which came so naturally to both stars. 

Comedy: Sridevi and Govinda in Gair Kanooni (1989)

Comedy: Sridevi and Govinda in Gair Kanooni (1989) 

Released on 24 March 1989, this was a surprise hit as the film was in production for a while. 

Sridevi and Govinda in Gair Kanooni

Govinda and Sridevi in the only film they did together, the hodge-podge Gair Kanooni (1989). Released after a lot of erratic shooting schedules and delay, Sridevi appears in several sizes and fashion throughout the movie. Born the same year, the two stars could match wit, dance, pathos and drama in equal measure - but alas they deserved a better film, a better comedy in fact than this film - though it was the surprise hit of 1989. 

Gorgeous Sridevi was a bit on the chubby side in parts of the movie, but groomed herself to look like the superstar that she became. 

As Govinda turns 61 today, here's wishing the capable actor the very best. We just heard his son is about to be launched, but here's hoping Govinda makes a decent comeback. 

Sridevi collage: Screengrabs from Gair Kanooni

 Sridevi collage: Screengrabs from Gair Kanooni 

Sridevi with Govinda on the sets of Gair Kanooni (1989)

Sridevi with Govinda on the sets of Gair Kanooni (1989). Born the same year, the only Hindi film the two stars worked in was a hit... but Sridevi never worked with Govinda again after this film. 

Govinda went on to work with Karishma Kapoor often, and Raveena Tandon or--insert any much younger heroine name here! Karishma was 11 years younger than him, but didn't bat a blue-eye at the age disparity - as long as the movies were huge hits!  

Sridevi was used to the shenanigans of the Indian film industry - after all, she's worked with co-stars 20-30-40 years older than her for years! 

 

Govinda and Sridevi in Gair Kanooni (1989)

 

Govinda and Sridevi in Gair Kanooni (1989)

Rare Pic: Govinda, Sridevi and Ashalata in the film Gair Kanooni (1989)

TBT: Govinda, Sridevi and character actress Ashalata Wabgaonkar in the film  Gair Kanooni (1989). 

The surprise hit of the late 80s in Bollywood. 

Image courtesy NFAIOfficial on twitter. https://twitter.com/NFAIOfficial

Happy Birthday to Sridevi's Gair Kanooni co-star: Govinda!

Born the same year as Sridevi, today is Govinda's 58th birthday. 

Co-star of Gair Kanooni, Sridevi and Govinda were so brilliant in the song and dance routines and the intermittent comedy in the film. A surprise hit back in 1989, the much delayed film was released in March '89 and ran to packed houses. Owing to its success and Sridevi's unmatched popularity down south, it was later dubbed in Tamil as Rakkamma Kaiyathattu. 

 

Sridevi in white: Early 1980s in Bollywood: Sridevi in Gair Kanooni

 

Sridevi in white: Early 1980s in Bollywood! 

Sridevi's look from the sets of the Hindi film Gair Kanooni. 

Govinda and Sridevi rock out in Gair Kanooni (1989)

 

Govinda and Sridevi rock out in Gair Kanooni (1989)

32 years of Gair Kanooni (1989): Govinda and Sridevi's only film and mega-hit!

32 years ago today, Gair Kanooni - the only film with Sridevi and Govinda - was released and was declared a hit. It was the 12th biggest hit of the year - and considering about 131* Hindi films were released that year, that's quite an achievement! 

However, the producer wasn't too thrilled as the film was mostly shot in 1986 and there was endless delay before its release eventually in early 1989. But then, nothing succeeds like success - and a hit, is a hit, is a hit. 

(* yeah I counted on imdb and wiki!).

Huge archive of images of Sridevi with Govinda here.

Rare Pic: Sridevi with Govinda

Sridevi and Govinda on the sets of the only film they did together, Gair Kanooni (1989). 

The film started production in early 1986 - and completed after much delay. 

The comedic scenes, song and dance routines by these two superstars of the 1980s is fun to watch - but the movie overall isn't much. 

Sridevi on the sets of Gair Kanooni: The 80s perm and the Zebra dress: 80s MUA

Sridevi on the sets of Gair Kanooni 

Oh the perm wig and 80s heavy gloss makeup.. was for a comedic song in Gair Kanooni. Not sure about the zebra print 80s prom disco dress but Sridevi rocked it out!

 

Sridevi in Gair Kanooni (1989)

Sridevi in Gair Kanooni (1989)

Sridevi and Govinda dance

Sridevi and Govinda on the sets of the only film they did together, Gair Kanooni. 

Sridevi on the sets of Gair Kanooni

Sridevi on the sets of Gair Kanooni

Sridevi and mujra: Indian actress hams it up with Govinda in Gair Kanooni

While Meena Kumari brought melancholy, Rekha brought sensuality, Sridevi brought comedy to the form of mujra in Bollywood.

Not wanting to usurp the position Rekha had perfected since Umrao Jaan and Muqaddar ka Sikandar, Sridevi didn't want to be compared to her bestie and senior in the industry... so instead of imitating anyone else, Sridevi brought her signature comedic, slapstick and humour to the dance form. Its great fun to watch - esp matching the humour and steps with Govinda in Gair Kanooni. The only film the two did together. Both born in 1963, they were contemporaries, rarely co-stars however.

Not a fav Sridevi film, but it has its moments... It worked at the box-office too and the stars got along fine - so wonder why the two never worked together... 

Sridevi does a little dandiya in Gair Kanooni (1989)

Sridevi's best dandiya is probably the climax of Aaj Radha Ko Shaam in Chand Ka Tukda. But she did a little ditty in the song Jai Lakshmi in Gair Kanooni too. Sri looks like a Goddess in the song - literally - check out the comedic number. Sri's incredible in it.

Released on 24 March 1989, it was the 12th biggest hit of the year in Bollywood.

We really need to do a list of surprising hits of Sridevi - movies so awful but hit the box-office cause the 80s is the most befuddling decade in Bollywood!

More clear pics of Sridevi on the sets of Gair Kanooni