Sridevi with Vinod Khanna for a magazine cover shoot

Sridevi's look in blue was in Pathar ke Insan - a film directed by actress Kajol's father. 

Sridevi and Vinod Khanna appeared in six films together, this was a cover shoot that appeared in Star & Style. And Postermag... 


 

The Crowned Queen of Bollywood: Sridevi in Mr.India

The Crowned Queen of Bollywood: Sridevi in Mr.India!

Years ago, I wrote a feature where I had stated Sridevi was the uncrowned Queen of Bollywood, nay, Indian cinema for so long, then a fan pointed out, well, technically Sridevi's crown and glory was visible often on film several times, be it in Tamil, Telugu or Hindi films! 

Hard to argue with that logic... 

Sridevi with Soundarya

A rare photo, just when you think Sridevi's death was tragic, you can compare with Soundarya's at age 31 or Divya's at 19. 

In fact, a feature can be done on tragic and untimely deaths of many a leading lady in Indian cinema. You can have it all one day, and taken away the next..

"Tomorrow isn't promised to anyone..." 

 

Bollywood in Japan: A Novel Love Story

 The English Vinglish poster is too cute. 

Sridevi: Extraordinary at playing the ordinary

Fact is, Sridevi's entire life has been in the realm of fame and good fortune- from the get-go. New gen has no idea, the power and the persona of Sridevi in the early days - she was this young, gorgeous actress whose fame went beyond borders. The early fandom she had, particularly in Tamil cinema, is nothing we can compare to today. She was a star as a child - the most famous cine-icons and legends of Tamil cinema knew her by name and precocious gifts. 

How she played the part of an ordinary person (she was often a Goddess, princess, royalty, dacoit, shape-shifter - something extraordinary) ... is somehow miraculous. She played an office secretary, or housewife, village belle... when she rarely encountered them. Her life revolved around sets, six days a week, morning till 6pm, and her "ordinary" life ceased being normal when her fame grew beyond expectation as a child, when she already won regional, state awards. How often was she in an office? What was ordinary about her setting and environs? Her world wasn't real, it was surreal; fake sets, characters in costume and the magical alchemy of art, commerce, science and tech - that brought the pretend world to life on screen. Her talent was a testament to the powers of her observation and study and understanding of the human condition that she played parts with ease and without artifice.  

Sridevi lived in rarefied air. She was an extraordinary talent who made the ordinary so aspirational and gorgeous. 

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Divya Bharti and Sridevi: The Swimsuit Scandal

Be it the 80s with Sridevi or the 90s with Divya Bharthi, there was always a gratuitous shot of the heroine, appearing drenched in a swimsuit for a random scene or another. An exact decade separates the shots (and the ladies; Sridevi was 10 and a half years older than Divya). The press had a field day with the shots of the leading ladies in "revealing costumes" as the expression went. Now what exactly does one wear to the beach or pool in free India?!

Sridevi's Eid wishes: And the Ghibli version

 Sridevi's Eid: And the Ghibli version