Whiplash: Sridevi cracked the whip in Bollywood and got it female friendly early on!

Sridevi in Chaalbaaz

Sridevi in Himmatwala

Sridevi in Mr India

Be it her role in Himmatwala (1983), Mr India (1986) or her award winning performance in Chaalbaaz (1989), Sridevi rarely played damsel in distress. The Iron Lady of the '80s, Sridevi was no shrinking violet. With a whip in hand and attitude to boot (and sometimes in leather boots), Sridevi often kicked ass and essayed empowered women.

Not only on screen but off too, Sridevi wasn't one to mess with. The first to command high salaries, (Bollywood actors aka the 'heroes' make quadruple sized paychecks), equal billing, footage and celebrity perks, Sridevi grabbed the accouterments of super-stardom along the way with sari-clad ease.

Perhaps its the defiant persona she had onscreen that ensured that her wishes were fulfilled even off-screen. Whatever the case may be, reflecting on the middling '80s, the nadir of Hindi cinema with sporadic bursts of genius, there's no doubt Sridevi ruled. A bigger star than the films she's starred in, she's the best of the best. 

Sridevi in Chaalbaaz (1989)