Friday, 6 December 2024

Rare pic: A wet Anil Kapoor and an exquisite Sridevi from the sets of Laadla

Aside from the fact Anil Kapoor looks like a wet wildebeest, and Sridevi looks so strikingly beautiful, this is one of rarest pics and most gorgeous images we've seen from the sets of Laadla. Yet another film where Sridevi dominated with her performance, she really chewed out every scene. 

Anil Kapoor, 38, and Sridevi, 31. on the sets of Laadla (1994). BTW FYI, Raveena Tandon was just 22 when she shot the film with these two greats of Hindi cinema and tbh held her own in the frame. 
  • Laadla images and features in the archive here.
  • Anil Kapoor and Sridevi over the years here.
  • The 12 Films of Anil Kapoor and Sridevi here.

 


Thursday, 5 December 2024

Happy Birthday Manish Malhotra! Bollywood's Favourite Designer's selfie with Sridevi's youngest, Khushi Kapoor!

Happy Birthday Manish Malhotra! Khushi Kapoor posing with Manish (like Sridevi!), is trending on social media. This rarely seen pic of the two together on Instagram has gone viral, and we were just reminded of how close the designer was to the super duper star, the greatest Indian actress of all-time, Sridevi. Bollywood's favourite designer turns 58 - but looks 38! 

Well, we should say Sridevi's favourite, hence he's featured often on this blog. He is one of the few she referred to as her best-friend in the industry bar none! Manish Malhotra worked with Sridevi from the early 90s till her final days. Colleagues, turned friends turned almost-family, we have such admiration for the dazzling work and work ethic of Manish who elevated the art of film costume to an award-winning level. He created industry, he created jobs, he created a generation of those who aspire to achieve what he has. Before him, film styling was loud, garish and what can be done most with the smallest budget. Over hyped darzis who got no credit, often no money, and certainly no recognition from critics. This bright spark ignited the Best Costume category in Filmfare, and that's a privilege no one can take from him historically. 

Over the decades, Malhotra has faced loses, detractors and a few back-stabbers too (google away), but look where he is and what he's achieved, while his critics are nowhere in the horizon.  

Have had the privilege of meeting him a few times (he won't remember - his life is peopled and oversubscribed!), and have to say he treats all well. When he was in Hong Kong, he didn't realise the press was there and we all saw how kindly he spoke to the HK staff, the people who worked at the hotel where he was presenting his show, and how much he loved those who loved his work. Kindness begets kindness. There are some horrific egos in the fashion world, and Manish (apart from the occasional fall out!) is defo the kinder of the lot. 

When Sridevi passed so suddenly and so shockingly, a quote from him resonates for us till date; "I'll never get over this loss." A feeling we still have all these years later. 

As Manish turns of certain age, we wish the designer well - and hope he finally fulfills his hitherto unfulfilled dream of directing a film. Hey, if Tom Ford can do it (the Hollywood designer to the stars turned director), then so can Bollywood's own! 

Happy days Manish! 




 

The Hair Apparent: The Leading Ladies of Bollywood and the hair styles of their era


The Hair Apparent: The Leading Ladies of Bollywood and the hair styles of their era 

Dimple Kapadia famously had the best hair in the biz. 

Sridevi experiemented with every look and style during her tenure. 

These other famous faces; Reena Roy, Meenakshi Seshadiri, Urmila, Hema Malini, Divya Bharti, Dimple Kapadia, Amrita Singh, Juhi Chawla, Jaya Prada, Kajol, Neelam and Pooja Bhatt. 

Sridevi in Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin: A comedy that ended in Tragedy!


Sridevi in Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin: A comedy that ended in Tragedy! 

You know the expression, "Be careful what you wish for - it might come true?!"

Well, when we first saw the mahurat/launch of Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin on Lehrein, with the awesome cast of Sridevi in yet another title role, with rising star Akshay Kumar (back in 1994), with the same team as Chaalbaaz - omg - what a combo, this could have been a terrific film! A comedy with a social message. 

Alas... 

The producers released the movie a decade after its launch, a half-baked fiasco that came and went just as quickly at the box-office. 

The entire movie is an unwatchable mess - it'll test even most hardcore fans of Sridevi and Akshay Kumar - who went on to send a legal notice (or threatened to in the media) to the makers. The movie barely registered at the box-office and was written off completely. 

If only the entire team had sat down together to rescue the project... Woulda coulda shoulda... 

Watch the songs to see gorgeous Sridevi. Otherwise, trust me, just skip the movie. 

Sridevi postcards from the 1980s to 1990s

Sridevi postcards from the 1980s to 1990s.
Click to enlarge.




 

Wednesday, 4 December 2024

Trending meme of Sridevi and Nagina: 38 years of Sri's blockbuster


Trending meme of Sridevi and Nagina: 38 years of Sri's blockbuster

Sridevi's streak of red...



Ah the red sari with an embroidered border... Three of Sridevi's most famous look. Pretty, sensuous and 
oh-so-beautiful. 

Sridevi at 19 or Sridevi at 49, just a classic Indian beauty.