Sunny Deol and Sridevi in Nigahein: Images Grok'd!

The original image and its Grok edit; Sunny Deol, Sridevi and Pran in Nigahein. 

Released on 11 August 1989, two days before her 26th birthday.  She looked so tall, slim and striking... 

Stars and stripes: Divya Bharthi with Sunil Shetty: Sunil Shetty with Sridevi aka Suneil Shetty

Stars and stripes: Divya Bharti with Sunil Shetty: Sunil Shetty with Sridevi aka Suneil Shetty! 

Found the stripes and symmetry of these images rather striking... 

Sunil Shetty (aka Suneil Shetty), then 31, debuted in Bollywood with Divya Bharti (then 18!) in the action-thriller Balwaan. Considered a moderate success, it sparked the career of the two rising stars. Years later, Sunil Shetty and Sridevi were penciled in for the remake of The Bodyguard, but it never got off the ground - more on that detailed in the archive here (with all the images!).  

Suniel Shetty with Sridevi: Photoshoot for Bodyguard!

 

Born on 11 August 1961, Suniel Shetty was two years older than Sridevi, but by the time he made his debut on film, Balwaan in 1992, Sridevi had already done over 100 films and was the reigning queen of pan-Indian cinema! 

There was some discussion in the early 90s of re-making Bodyguard in Hindi with Sanjay "Kaante" Gupta at the helm, but sadly, it never came to fruition. 

Today, the actor -- and living emblem of health and fitness -- turns 65! Officially a senior citizen but he still looks like he's 32. Bless him. 

There are 20-year-olds that are not this healthy! 

Happy Birthday Anna! 

Pradeep Chandra : A lensman reminisces: Sridevi was an actor who scorched the sets

Everyone who met her was bowled over by her beauty

Pradeep Chandra 
Published: February 25 , 2018 08:40 PM IST

I cannot claim to know Sridevi, but I have photographed her on many occasions and was close to her husband Boney Kapoor.

I remember seeing her in Julie, a child artist as the younger sister of the heroine - Om Prakash's daughter. Even in that role, she had left her mark. I remember meeting her personally on the sets of Judaai, where we were invited to cover the shoot. Urmila Matondkar and Anil Kapoor were doing a dance sequence, directed by choreographer Saroj Khan, but there was no sign of Sridevi. When I enquired after her, I was directed to the make-up room. When I knocked on the door, her assistant let me in, and I came face-to-face with her. I was stunned by her beauty, dressed she was like a bride applying final touches of make-up. I introduced myself and said I had a flight to catch, so I needed some quick photos. She looked a bit puzzled but agreed. We spent 10-15 minutes shooting in the room. I got a few headshots and left. Unfortunately, she never came to the sets. Boney Kapoor rode with us to the the airport, wearing goggles and a tucked-in denim shirt; I distinctly remember one of the media persons commenting that Boney looked more like a hero than his brother Anil Kapoor.

On another occasion, I was asked to photograph her on the sets of Chandni in distant suburbs of Mumbai Madh Island. I met director Yash Chopra, whom I knew well, and he introduced me to Sridevi. She was shooting with Mita Vashisht, and since the director knew me, I had easy access. Sridevi didn't talk much, except enquiring which paper I belonged to. Would I show her the pictures? She was not one for too much talking. But she was cooperative, and particular that I shoot in a way that captured her best. She would ask if I was doing a close, mid-shot or full length, and ask me to give her a signal so that she could emote.

Once, we were doing a cover story for one of our publications and went to meet the actor. The reporter was very excited as he was a great fan of Sridevi. We reached her home, and she was all dressed up for the shoot and ready for the interview. But, Boney started replying after four or five questions. The reporter requested that Sridevi reply to his questions. Boney and Sridevi exchanged meaningful looks. She said in her typical south Indian accent: what he says are my replies. That was the end of it.

I met Boney Kapoor at his residence a couple of years ago with a request to do authorised biography on his wife Sridevi. He suggested I leave a copy of my earlier book AB-The Legend, A Photographer's Tribute, which he could show her. I did so, and we met a couple of times more. But finally he said that Sridevi felt she had much more to do. 

I requested we do a second one when she feels, but the final 'yes' never came. Alas.

From The Week

Update: I couldn't find a single picture of Pradeep Chandran's photo of Sridevi so the above image of one of his exhibitions. Note, no image of Sridevi in that gallery either. But what he said of Sridevi is pleasant enough and rings true. 

Perfection = Sridevi in an ivory Sabyasachi embroidered sari

 

Back in December 2015, Sridevi attended Jaya Prada's nephew's wedding in an ivory Sabyasachi sari - surprising the other actress' clan that she accepted the invitation, considering the famed feud between the two for years. Well, she arrived in full glam, looking better than ever. She dwarfed short and heavier Jaya reminding all of the grand strides Devi made, while leaving her competition in the dust... 

Just sayin'... 

There are no permanent relationships in Bollywood, no enemies, no friends, no relationships. 

More in the archive here.

14 of Sridevi's Best Tamil Films: According to her Fans

"I love Tamil cinema," said Sridevi in her interview with The Hindu. And clearly, Tamil cinema has loved in turn, this sensational actress and given her myriad roles to showcase her versatility. Many critics have stated that to watch Sridevi’s finest performances and challenging roles, one needs to bypass her resplendent, glamorous Bollywood career and focus on the complexities and dramas of the regional films she starred in (often with superstar Rajinikanth and thespian Kamal Haasan). 

In fact, she had better roles in Tamil and Malayalam cinema (and perhaps in Telugu) than most of her Hindi movies. Though clearly, she did more Telugu film - her mother tongue - but they were more fun, commercial films than serious fare to showcase her infinite talents. 

The Telugu industry was undoubtedly a film factory for her - in 1982, Sridevi appeared in 17 Telugu films! That's not all, she also appeared in 5 Tamil films; ie in the Southern belt, you can't avoid a Sridevi movie as she was averaging two films a month!  We are working on her best Telugu films but that's a serious undertaking. Her Best Hindi films was easy to pin down, as they were either obvious mega-hits or the two odd, underrated gems.  

Hindi films may have given her national recognition, pan-Indian fame, and fortune, but the actor was born—or shall we rephrase that as, the born actress was nurtured in Tamil and Telugu films (not to forget her roles in Malayalam cinema early on too).

We asked fans of Sridevi online, “What are Sridevi’s best Tamil films?” The knowledgeable, lifelong fans responded with the following titles for us to view:

1. Padinaru Vayadinilai (aka 16 Vayathinile) (1977)
The original version of Solva Sawan (with Amol Palekar) 16 Vayathinile was a huge hit. The Hindi version was a huge flop. Clearly, something got lost in translation. In a rural village, 16-year-old Mayil (Sridevi), an ambitious schoolgirl dreaming of becoming a teacher, is loved by the kind but disabled orphan Chappani (Kamal Haasan). She falls for a charming urban veterinarian (Rajinikanth), who seduces and abandons her. The film explores her heartbreak, resilience, and eventual growth.

2. Moondru Mudichu (1977)
The story revolves around Selvi (Sridevi), an 18-year-old college student, and two roommates—Balaji (Kamal Haasan) and Prasath (Rajinikanth)—who both fall in love with her. It becomes a romantic thriller as hidden motives, jealousy, and manipulation surface among the trio. The memes online have given away the surprise ending...  which has mostly been ruined by meme culture today. 

3. Gayathri (1977)
Directed by R. Pattabhiraman and starring Rajinikanth and Sridevi in lead roles, the film has a twisted thriller plot with a distinctly adult theme. Rajinikanth plays a cruel husband to Sridevi, a rich bon vivant who lives with his sister (Rajasulochana) and a young housemaid in Chennai. Under an arranged marriage, the simple girl from Trichy moves to the city. Upon arriving at her husband’s house, Sridevi is shocked to discover the nefarious life of the duo. 

With numerous plot twists and tragedies, a young Sridevi acts well beyond her years as a troubled housewife. Based on the story “Gayathri” by Sujatha Rangarajan, the melodrama remains a huge ratings hit even when screened today.

4. Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) 
Kamal Haasan plays Dileep, a seemingly respectable industrialist who harbors a dark secret: he seduces women, kills them, and buries them in his garden (where red roses bloom over the graves). Sridevi plays Sarada, the woman he genuinely falls for, leading to intense psychological drama and suspense.

5. Kalyanaraman (1979) 
The film follows Kalyanam (Kamal Haasan), son of a tea estate owner, who is duped and murdered by a gang seeking the property. He returns as a ghost to protect his family and loved ones, blending comedy, romance, and supernatural elements.

6. Varumayin Niram Sigappu (1980) 

It revolves around three educated but unemployed young men in Delhi struggling with poverty. Kamal Haasan plays the idealistic Rangan, who refuses to compromise his principles. He meets and falls for Devi (Sridevi), a stage actress from a struggling family, in this socially conscious drama about integrity and hardship.

7. Johnny (1980)
Rajinikanth plays a dual role as Johnny, a con artist trying to pay off his father’s debts, and his lookalike Vidyasagar. Sridevi is Archana, a popular singer who falls for Johnny. When the lookalike commits a crime, Johnny is implicated, leading to a gripping crime thriller.

8. Guru (1980) 
The story centers on a philanthropist (Kamal Haasan) who secretly operates as a vigilante. He falls in love with Sujatha (Sridevi), the niece of a top police official, while balancing his dual life of social good and justice. A huge hit that... Kamal Haasan hated! While discussing his films, in retrospectives, the actor said the film was "crap." Sridevi has rarely mentioned the film when discussing her filmography, this Tamil hit or the Hindi blockbuster she did with Mithun. Guru is in this list mostly because it was a huge success and a different movie for its time. 

9. Meendum Kokila (1981)

Sridevi won her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress for this Tamil film in 1982. Kokila (Sridevi), a devoted wife and mother, fights to win back her husband Subramaniam (Kamal Haasan) after he becomes infatuated with a film actress (Deepa). It is a poignant drama about love, jealousy, and reconciliation. Fun fact, originally the film actress was played by Rekha - who walked out of the film after shooting for a few days. Furious Kamal Haasan never worked the actress after that incident. 

10. Pokkiri Raja (1982) 
Rajinikanth plays Ramesh, a hardworking man framed for murder. In prison, he encounters his lookalike, and together they work to uncover the real killers and clear his name. Sridevi as a morally steadfast girl shines in the dramatic scenes and monologue about right and wrong.  

11. Thanikkattu Raja (1982) 
A young mechanic (Rajinikanth) falls in love with a rich girl (Sridevi). Their relationship faces opposition and turmoil due to class differences and family interference, testing their bond through dramatic events.

12. Moondram Pirai (1982) 

The original version of Sadma with the same cast and crew. Yet another film where Sridevi deserved to win multiple awards but lost out to her contemporaries. The Crescent Moon Comes on the Third Day  [literaly translation of the title!] was written and directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Kamal Haasan and Sridevi. Young collegiate Sridevi on holiday meets with an accident and looses all memory. She's found in a brothel and rescued by Kamal Haasan who runs away with her to Ooty and takes care of her. When she recovers by the end, her retroactive amnesia is forgotten, and she forgets the existence of Kamal. The ending will haunt you for years. 

Ilaiyaraaja composed the music. Kamal Haasan won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role as Srinivas. Balu Mahendra also handled cinematography and won the National Film Award for it. It was a blockbuster that completed a 329-day run at the box office. Sridevi and Kamal Haasan are incredible - Sridevi shot the film when she was 18 and is staggeringly great. How a simple storyline can influence the hearts of millions is the beauty of this movie. 

13. Vazhve Maayam (1982) 
Raja (Kamal Haasan), a rich and spoiled young man, relentlessly pursues and falls in love with air hostess Devi (Sridevi). After winning her over, complications arise when he learns he has a terminal illness and hides it from her, leading to emotional drama and misunderstandings.

14. Adutha Vaarisu (1983) 
A conniving relative seeks to control family wealth after the heiress goes missing. A bounty hunter (Rajinikanth) is hired to find a girl (Sridevi) to impersonate the lost heiress, sparking drama, romance, and intrigue in this masala entertainer. Sridevi's fiesty performance in the beginning and sheer elegance in the second act provides ample scope for her vast range. The critics may not have loved it - but her fans sure did. Sridevi looks, dances and acts like the Goddess she was. Is. Forever will be. 

This is hardly a comprehensible or definitive listicle - pls let us know if we are missing any major films - comment below with name, year of release and any other pertaining information. 

Queen of Comedy: Sridevi

Like Lucille Ball, a Hollywood figure Sridevi has been compared with several times in English media, Sridevi was unafraid and unapologetic about looking silly for a comedy bit. Crazy wigs, makeup, loud clothes, whatever she needed to do for the scene, song or sketch! 

The overamped colours, makeup, looks - from Roop ki Rani Choron Ka Raja and below, from Bhagwaan Daada.