TBT: Sridevi snippets in MOVIE magazine May 1989

No interviews, just little bits and bobs about Sridevi in May 1989 in MOVIE magazine. Interview with newcomer Aamir Khan, Anil Kapoor's quotes about his leading ladies. 

Anil Kapoor's quote about Sridevi 

A still from Chaalbaaz
Sunny Deol, Sridevi and Rajinikanth

Aamir Khan's quote about Sridevi

 A throwback to May 1989, young Anil Kapoor, 32, with even younger Sonam (the 80s actress, not Sonam Kapoor's first-born!) who was just 16 at the time! 

Great Sridevi pics: Too Bad They're ALL fake

There are soooo many fakes of Sridevi floating and fooling people on social media, its distressing. 

Fans send us rare images that we don't have - and we are truly grateful for the 'real' pics and information - as this builds the site, we're all for engagement with real fans. 

The reason we don't have these three trending pics on social media - they're allllllllll fake. Overedited by ai, digital hallucinations of some program, not the real Sridevi. Its mystifying for me that as a fan you'd flood online with fake images, news, information about the late actress with such little thought about the repercussions and consequences of false visual and written narrative.  

There are no gatekeepers in the wild, wild west of the net, the sensible editors, fact checkers, the ones who would look at an image and go, something is not right or off... its rampant thoughtless actions of the juvenile and the delinquents that are corroding the memory of the real person Sridevi was. 

No its not ok - real pics only. 

Real features and interviews only. 

Filmfare asks: How safe is Sridevi? Throwback to May 1986!

Throwback to Filmfare, May 1986. 

Media foisted Sridevi as the Number One star in 1984 and by 1986, they were dragging her! The article ran in May - little did they know what was ahead! Come November, Sridevi had Nagina! In 1987, Mr.India and in 1989 Chaalbaaz and Chandni... It was the mid era of Sridevi, they just didn't know it yet!

Excerpt: 

The rumblings have begun: Sridevi is slipping from her pedestal; Meenakshi is closing in on her; Rekha is being resurrected; Jaya Prada may yet spring a surprise. And so on. Is the scene set for a dramatic change at the top?

She's pouting pretty. Sridevi's been in the gravy for the last two years. Like Mumtaz in her heyday, she has four films running simultaneously: Sultanat, Dharm Adhikari, Suhaagan and Bhagwaan Dada.

Yet the buzz is that the actress who wears the crown is in an uneasy position. Her powers may be usurped anyday. No doubt, she still commands the highest fee (trade circles chalk the amount at Rs. 12 lakh per film) and has the most glittering assignments on hand. At the same time, all her films haven't done the kind of business normally associated with the actress who flashed her thighs, all-round oomph. In short, looks that could kill ever since she hit big the time with that madcap movie Himmatwala.

Though she's not to blame for the poor show of Sultanat and Dharam Adhikari at the box-office, it is felt that her presence doesn't necessarily mean serpentine queues at the cash counters. Moreover there's that feeling that...

Though in her early thirties, Rekha is still the most sensual and seductive of actresses. But the trouble is, she has never played her cards right. She did take over the mantle of Number One from Hema, but soon lost it to Sridevi thanks to her lackadaisical temperament. But she has changed, and wants to fight her way back. If some industry sources are to be believed. If that's right, she is still a force to reckon with...

Sridevi in Nagina

click to enlarge

Sridevi's finale song and dance routine in Nagina was... groundbreaking. 

Masterful choreography by Saroj Khan, and execution by the gifted leading lady, Sridevi swayed and undulated to the beats with such precision - who would have guessed that she wasn't a trained dancer like her contemporaries?! 

Sridevi always had her hits and flops under her bejeweled belt; but this film catapulted her to the statosphere. 

Cine Blitz: August 1988

 Sridevi on the cover - and as a centrefold in Cine Blitz, Aug 1988! 

"Personal revelation of a sexy symbol - Sridevi speaks!"  

The 10 year anniversary of Cine Blitz... 

17 Year old Sridevi in Johnny: The Soulful Singer

 

Released on August 15, 1980, director J. Mahendran’s neo-noir romantic thriller Johnny was Rajinikanth's title role - but us Sridevi fans, its her show all the way. Teen Sri, who had turned just 17 years old two days prior to the film's release, delivered a remarkably mature and subtle performance as Archana, a lonely, dignified, and soft-spoken playback singer. 

Though the film started slowly due to audiences expecting a high-octane action vehicle from Rajinikanth, word of mouth quickly transformed it into a major commercial hit, running for over 100 days in theatres - a mark of success before the tawdry 100 crore club was invented; the metrics before was longevity and commerce, not just money made!  

The evergreen soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, whose soulful melodies defined the film’s emotional depth: 

 "En Vaanilay" – sung by Jency 

 "Kaatril Enthan Geetham" – sung by S. Janaki 

 "Aasaiye Kaathule" – sung by S. P. Sailaja 

 "Oru Iniya Manathu" – sung by Sujatha 

Because Sridevi had not yet begun dubbing in her own voice for Tamil features during this era, her spoken lines and understated dialogue delivery were voiced by acclaimed dubbing artist Anuradha (with singer S. Janaki providing her singing voice on screen).

Archana’s aesthetic remains memorable in South Asian pop culture. Eschewing flashy glamour, Sridevi sported a minimalist, ethereal look: flowing printed sarees, simple cotton drapes, soft middle-parted hair, a signature string of pearls, and a deep, soulful gaze that reflected her character's inner solitude and poise.

Despite Rajinikanth taking on a dual role (Johnny and Vidyasagar), Sridevi’s quiet intensity stole key moments of the film. Following a particularly tender scene, Rajinikanth famously admitted to director Mahendran that despite his best efforts, the young teenager had completely overshadowed him in the shot with her natural talent and expressive eyes. 

The two ended up working in 18 films together spanning Hindi and Tamil cinema and became that tired expression; iconic. 

Inside Sridevi’s Favourite Cover Shoot: The Personal Choice of a Legend

From MOVIE magazine, Sept 1989! 

Styled by Neeta Lulla, photographed by Rakesh Shreshta for MOVIE magazine, Sridevi's personal favourite cover shot. A makeshift fashionable turban made of fabric, a statement clip-on earring, high glam makeup of the '80s. 

More images from this cover shoot in the archive here.