80s superstars line up; Jaya Prada, Jeetendra, Rajesh Khanna and Sridevi

80s superstars line up; Jaya Prada, Jeetendra, Rajesh Khanna and Sridevi

Outside the sets of the hit film Maqsad. A movie with little to speak of other than it is the usual 80s masala potboiler. The only thing worth revisiting is the epic dance off between the famous feuding Telugu superstars, Jaya Prada and Sridevi. 

We have a hundred pics from the set in the archive - scroll away. 
 

Jeetendra and Sridevi

Jeetendra holding on to his lucky charm; gorgeous Sridevi! 

It's funny how much praise Jeetendra has bestowed upon Sridevi in the past, and especially after her sudden, shocking passing. 

In turn, Sridevi acknowledged that their successful pairing was a surprise and she felt lucky that he agreed to work with her when she was considered "a flop" actress after the initial failure of her first Hindi film as a leading lady, the box-office bomb, Solva Saawan.

He gave her a foothold in Bollywood, her youthful exuberance and sex-appeal--she was known as sensuous Srievi in the early days-- gave his flagging career a second boost in the 1980s! Jeetendra himself has acknowledged the Telugu superstars Sridevi and Jaya Prada were his bread and butter in the 1980s.

A trending pic on Social Media: Sridevi versus all the top male and female stars of Bollywood

Well, it is hard for us to disagree with... but not impossible. Sridevi is great on her own, she does not need to be compared with anyone. 

Sridevi: Khushi Kapoor

 Profiles only: Sridevi. Khushi Kapoor. 

Sridevi, Sunny Deol and Rajinikanth in Chaalbaaz (1989): Acting powerhouses.

Scene stealing Sridevi in Chaalbaaz, one of her many double roles where she outshown her co-stars (much to the chagrin of Sunny Deol!). Well, it was a hit film that benefitted all three. The comedy scenes are fantastic, Sunny Deol danced his best in one of the songs and Sridevi won one of her may awards. 

 

दिल्ली एयर क्वालिटी अलर्ट: राष्ट्रीय राजधानी में प्रदूषण का स्तर 'गंभीर' सीमा के करीब पहुंच रहा है। डेटा से पता चलता है कि 15 मॉनिटरिंग स्टेशनों ने पहले ही 400 का आंकड़ा पार कर लिया है। जबकि शनिवार को शाम 4 बजे 24 घंटे का औसत AQI 361 था। यह शाम 6 बजे तक बढ़कर 372 हो गया, जिससे दिल्ली आज सबसे प्रदूषित शहरों में से एक बन गया है।

Which actor paired best with Sridevi in Hindi films?

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.