Before Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja... there was Ek Chor Ek Hasina!

The film Ek Chor Ek Hasina (1987) was trending on social media the other day and it surely surprised most Sridevi fans. An earlier draft of Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja?! Hardly. This film with Sridevi and Krishna, was actually a Hindi-dubbed release of the highly successful 1985 Telugu action-drama Vajrayudham.

Director: K. Raghavendra Rao (who directed major blockbusters with Sridevi like Himmatwala, Tohfa, and Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari) 

Krishna and Sridevi were one of the most prolific and bankable pairs in Telugu cinema history, starring in nearly 30 films together. Because of Sridevi's massive stardom in Bollywood during the late 1980s, many of their regional hits were dubbed into Hindi and released in theatres to capitalise on her popularity. Some worked on ROI.... others.. not so much! 

Anil Kapoor with Madhuri Dixit: with Sridevi

 A Hindi tabloid collage featuring Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi... 

Filmfare: July 1988: The Sridevi double page spread

 

Sridevi, "I have never said I won't work with Amitji. But then, what's there for any other artiste to do ina film starring him? He does everything himself!"

Sridevi, "As far as price is concerned, I don't think I charge all that much. If I were so expensive, do you think people like Harmesh Malhotra and Boney Kapoor would sing me for two films each?"

Indeed.

The cover shot and cover shoot is in the archive here.

Anil Kapoor and Sridevi in Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja

Anil Kapoor and Sridevi in Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja: 90s pre-release publicity shoot with the two leads. 

Sridevi with Yash Chopra on the sets of Lamhe

 

Sridevi, 27, with Yash Chopra, 58, on the sets of Lamhe back in 1990. 

Sridevi posted this picture on Twitter years ago... 

Today is Yash Chopra's birth anniversary - my favourite Hindi film produer and director. While many remember the man for his grand romantic films and blockbuster musicals, he had the greatest range, vision and skills in expanding Hindi cinema. 

• Sridevi with Yash Chopra over the years here.
• Sridevi in Lamhe here.
• Sridevi in Chandni here.

One, two, three... Sridevi in pink: Filmfare says she's The Greatest on the cover!

A triptych of Sridevi from the set of Lamhe (1991),

Looking so cute - if you remember this comedic scene, Sri in London. The cover shot of Filmfare is too lovely. August 1990. 

Sridevi with Yash Chopra on the sets of Chandni back in 1989

 

The filmmaker and his muse: Magic was being made here. Sridevi with producer/director and visionary Yash Chopra on the sets of Chandni back in the day. 

Yash Chopra was born on September 27, 1932.