The Changeling: Sridevi

Sridevi's evolution over the years. Shot by Gautamji again. This essay was written years ago, back in Sept 1994 but is as true today.


SRIDEVI:

"I feel very happy when everybody calls me the number one star." ('85)

"I don't think I have reached the top." ('95)

She's living proof that money can buy class (so ok, notch one up for determination too). In '79 when Sri made her bow in Hindi films with Solva Saal, she had a visage that was as South Indian as a a Kanchipuram idli; today she has hewn herself into a nationwide icon of contemporary glamour (remember she is the one who made coloured lenses chic long before 'Maine kiye paar saat samundar').

Over the years Sridevi has perfected the art of talking without saying anything. Ne'er a sentence is let slip that could make a strong statement or hurt any individual she might remotely need in the future. And just as her speech is conditioned never to reveal the inner turmoil, so also, it seems, has her face been disciplined to ignore the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

As her current photos show, age cannot wither this devi's charm.

-- MOVIE MAGAZINE

See more pics from this amazing shoot in earlier post here.