Sridevi's double act in Gurudev

When the film first started, Sridevi had a certain look as the barkeep in Gurudev. The film was on hold for a while when the director Vinod Mehra tragically died mid-way during the film's production. When the film was launched - she had one look (R), and when the film hit the floors, she had another - with a wig in place (R) to differentiate between the two characters she played. Though Rishi Kapoor and Anil Kapoor split the title role, it was Sridevi's movie all the way in her double act. 

To be confirmed but Sridevi just might have done more double roles on film than any other actoress in Indian cinema. Ever. Actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and even Mithun have done lots of double roles, but for a leading lady to capture the most real estate on film - that might just be uniqe to Sridevi! 

Sridevi reprised the role with a new director with a more polished avataar.  The film had its moments but the long production delays and edits didn't help the movie's fate at the box-office. The film started in 1988 - and was released in 1993!

Screen: Madhuri Dixit: Sridevi

 

Getting the Sunday papers for me when in India meant buying Screen.

Madhuri Dixit, Sridevi... when these fabulous ladies were always the talk of the town, whether their films were hits or flops, people were talking about it! 

Sridevi on the cover of Sushma magazine: The Hindi Tabloid

 

Sridevi in Yugpurush: Srievi out of Yugpurush

Apart from Sridevi herself, I'm not a fan of any part of this test shoot and look. The makeup is too burnt champagne, the wig has a bad cut, the jewellery doesn't go with teh dress, the outfit is... a little too Sandra from Bandra... 

As exciting as it would have been to see Sridevi co-star with the volatile but talented actor Nana Patekar, and the suave Jackie Shroff in Yupurush... glad she opted out of the, what eventually became a flop film. Why did Sridevi sign - and eventually walk out of the film? More in the detailed archive here - with more outtakes from the shoot. The images originally were published in 1996 in MOVIE magazine. 

Think Pink: Sridevi in her scinitilalting sars at various events

Pinky Reddy, T. Subbarami Reddy, Boney Kapoor and Sridevi 

Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi

Sridevi, Boney Kapoor, T. Subbarami Reddy and Subash Ghai

Sridevi at various events dazzling in her pink saris. She always stands out... Gorgeous actress. Icon forever. 
 

Sridevi and her dance costumes: dazzling dancing diva

 Sridevi's dance costumes from Lamhe, Deva Raagam and Chaand Kaa Tukdaa. 

Sridevi as a bride in Khuda Gawah

Sridevi in Khuda Gawah. A sensible ai edit... at least she looks like Sridevi! 

In Mukul Anand’s 1992 epic romance-drama Khuda Gawah, Sridevi delivered a celebrated double performance as the Afghan noblewoman Benazir and her daughter Mehndi.

Three quotes highlighting her performance from reviews, archival features, and industry appraisals:

1. On her nuanced shift between tones and dual characters:

   "Mellow with that hint of fierceness, haughty with the mist of tenderness, that's Benezir, who easily outshines Mehndi, that too is Sridevi, bubbly, a la Lamhe."

   — From a contemporary review published in g magazine (1991/1992)

2. On her ability to command the screen alongside Amitabh Bachchan:

   "Only Sridevi could share screen space with Amitabh Bachchan in that era and still own entire scenes. Songs, costumes, dialogues. Everything loud, everything unapologetic. Subtlety wasn't invited. And thank God for that."

   — Retrospective critical evaluation on her screen presence in Khuda Gawah

3. On her mastery of the demanding double-role dynamic:

   "In Khuda Gawah, she took on a powerful double role, portraying both mother and daughter with grace and emotional depth. Her performance was widely acclaimed, and the film became a memorable part of both their careers."

   — Retrospective assessment on her generational portrayals of Benazir and Mehndi