Zee Dil Se: Sridevi's ad for Zee TV

Gorgeous Sridevi's adorable ad for Zee Dil Se. 

Trim and Toned: Sridevi arrives at an event looking like a million bucks: March 2013

Sridevi's Fiona Water Purifier Advert: Videoclip of Gorgeous Sridevi on set

Sridevi's adorable Fiona Water Purifier Advert! Looking gorgeous as usual.

Jaya Bachchan with Sridevi

Jaya Bachchan with Sridevi at the Sahara party. Looks like the A-list actresses get along well as often seen before.

CNN - IBN Best Actress Poll Winners: Sridevi, Madhuri, Savithri

CNN-IBN India's All Time Best Poll results: 

Best Ever Actors - 1. NTR 2. Kamal Haasan 3. Mohanlal
 
Best Ever Actresses - 1. Sridevi 2. Madhuri Dixit 3. Savithri

Hottest Mum in Bollywood: Sridevi tops online opinion poll

Constantly seen at events with her adorable daughters Jhanvi and Khushi, Sridevi was, but naturally, voted as one of the hottest mums in B'wood.

Top Ten Songs: Sridevi's Hit List: Bollywood's Finest according to Rediff

A waggle here, a wink there, watching Sridevi in action is nothing short of magic.

The effortless and expressive superstar, who ruled Bollywood for one of the longest spells, endeared the camera with her trademark chutzpah through screwball comedies, social drama, action-packed costume dramas, elegant romances and fun-filled fantasies.

Emulated and admired by an overwhelming many, it's no wonder several of her hit songs have made a comeback in remixed avatars.

Be it as the trippy Hawa hawaai in Shaitan, topsy-turvy Najane kahan se in I Me Aur Main or once-again-successful Naino mein sapna in the upcoming remake of Himmatwala.Here then is looking at the real thing and ten of her chartbusters.

And while she's featured in timeless melodies like Aye zindagi gale laga le (Sadma) and Neele neele ambar (Kalaakar), the idea is to concentrate on Sri solos or booming duets like the ones listed here.

Naino mein sapna, Himmatwala
Sridevi's vibrant jig against the backdrop of painted matkas with Jeetendra to Himmatwala's foot-tapping Naino mein sapna rocked the popularity charts in the 1980s.

Sri-Jeetu hit the all-familiar beach & matka setting again in yet-another hit, Tohfa for the song, Gori tere ang ang mein.

Main Teri Dushman, Nagina

Sri's earnest nagin dance, boosted by Lata Mangeskar's vivid playback, in Harmesh Malhotra's snake-woman fantasy turned out to be one of the biggest crowd-pullers.

The team tried to recreate history with its sequel, Nigaahen but failed to deliver the goods.

Har kisiko Nahin Milta, Jaanbaaz

Sridevi, with nothing more than a microphone in hand, sashaying seductively in a red/white chiffon sari is etched in every film buff's memory.

Feroz Khan's stylish sensibilities and Kalyanji-Anandji's groovy declaration, Har kisiko nahi milta yahan pyar zindagi mein, blend her inimitable oomph for this Jaanbaaz ditty.

Hawa Hawaii, Mr India

Lo and behold, Bijlee Ki Rani arrives and the silver screen turns a shade of gold. No wonder the hero prefers to stay invisible for most part.

Trust a thoroughly animated Sridevi to spew gibberish like -- I see Lucy. You see Lucy. Haasi Tussi. Laasi Peesi. Mombassa King Kong -- (memorized by every single kid in 1987) and pull it off as one of the greatest song and dances of her career.

It's called conviction and Sridevi has it in truckloads.

Kaate Nahin Kat the, Mr. India

Sri chucks her effervescent side to sizzle a tad too intently for a children's fantasy in the iconic Mr India song.

And besides enticing the now-you-see-him, now-you-don't Anil Kapoor, with moves all the girls thereafter tried and failed, the actress reaffirms there's nothing quite sexier than a sari.

Mere Haathon Mein, Chandni

Yash Chopra's gorgeous creation is a woman everyone falls in love with.

All thanks to Sridevi for breathing life into this delicate, exuberant character.

And so it's love-at-first-sight for Rishi Kapoor and the viewers as they watch her delightfully romp to the hugely popular wedding number, Mere haathon mein.

Na Jaane, Kahaan Se Aayi Hai, Chaalbaaz

Constantly expanding her range as a performer, Sridevi wins us over once again with a dazzling double role in Chaalbaaz.

Her chirpy rain dance Najane kahan se, clad in a transparent raincoat, not only underscores her child-woman appeal but miraculously conceal Sunny Deol's wooden dancing skills to bare miniumum.

Morni, Lamhe

The exquisite Yash Chopra-Sridevi chemistry is for all to see as the lovely actress sparkles against the folksy beats of Morni.

Though Lamhe was dismissed as too ahead for its times, it continues to be one of the most significant films on the resume of everyone associated with it.

Mukul Anand's tale of a Pathan keeping his word and the repercussion it has on his young bride and, subsequently, estranged daughter packs in grand scale action.

And one of its sentimental moments include Sridevi pleading Amitabh Bachchan not to abandon her for the sake of a promise in Tu na ja mere badshaah ek vaade ke liye ek vaada tod kar.

Gustakh Dil, English Vinglish

A 49-year-old Sridevi returned to films with renewed grace to play a taken-for-granted wife and mother of two in Gauri Shinde's breezy dramedy.

It's a not a straightforward story as complications arise when she finds herself drawn to a handsome classmate from her English-speaking class leading to the premise for its most enchanting song (Gustakh dil) and Sridevi's most prized asset -- conviction.

Sukanya Verma in Mumbai
Sridevi's Top Ten Songs according to Rediff. See here.

Also see earlier post; Sridevi's Top Ten Dances here.

Happy Holi! Sridevi tweets for Holi 2013

We, the largest Sridevi fan-club online, would like to wish Sriji and all her friends, fans and family, a very Happy Holi!

Sridevi posted earlier today on the auspicious day of Holi: 

Sridevi Boney Kapoor ‏@SrideviBKapoor 15h

Happy Holi to each one of you. Hope it was safe, waterless and full of fun!

Women We Love: Sridevi: Filmfare features Sridevi tribute

In yet another letters to the editor column, fans espouse their love for Sridevi. As Sharada Iyer from Mumbai rightfully writes, 

"The overwhelming turnout at the premiere of Sridevi's film English Vinglish indicated the tremendous love and respect she still commands. For an actress who was returning after a gap of 15 years, this response was amazing…".

Yep! It sure was... 

Wedding Belle: Sridevi and Boney Kapoor attend Ram Charan's Wedding

Sridevi at Chiranjeevi's son's wedding. Looking gorgeous in a simple sari with husband Boney Kapoor.

See earlier post of pics of Sridevi attending Ram Charan's wedding here. 

The Saree Situation: Sridevi looked sensational at IIFA in Singapore

Don't know why Filmfare gave it a thumbs down but we thought Sridevi's sunshine and light here.

Sridevi in a mustard yellow sari at IIFA in Singapore, 2012, see many more pics here.

Sridevi: Success Mantra: Stardust rejoices on the return of the queen

Lovely little newsbyte in Stardust, Sept 2012 issue. As Sridevi says, "I feel I'm always a director's actor. I never think of good or bad. I do my work honestly. I've always given my best. I've enjoyed my work and I'm enjoying it now too."

The Superstar that she is....

Sridevi wins President's Honour at Guild Awards: Sridevi on stage wearing Sabyasachi Mukherjee

"A volcano of talent" Sridevi wins at the Guild Awards.

 
See earlier post with more pics here.

Designer Christian Louboutin: Sridevi is my Idol

For the shoe designer Christian Louboutin, the cinema of India has always been a magical, otherworldly, Technicolor fantasy. He heads to the Marrakesh film festival to meet his favorite stars of the screen.

"...Nothing compared to my romance with Indian cinema, which remains passionate to this day. I loved these magical movies, which combined great acting with exhilarating soundtracks that stuck in my head for weeks. At school, I talked so much about actors like Hema Malini and Dilip Kumar that my classmates considered me an alien. I have so many memories: going to the cinémathèque as a teen to greet the fabulous director Satyajit Ray; crying along with “Devi,” one of the most fantastic Bengali movies; taking a trip to Chennai to visit some of the movie studios; and a bit later, trying to imitate Shah Rukh Khan dancing....

My job is designing shoes. It’s work that happens behind the scenes, as they say, and that suits me just fine because in general I am a shy person. But sometimes I have these extroverted outbursts. Being in the presence of Amitabh Bachchan, the godfather of Bollywood, and one of the most stylish men on earth, was not going to help me remain at ease — I am such a big fan of his. But I kept it together thanks to his impeccable manners, until I met Sridevi. Now in her late 40s, she was once known as the Shirley Temple of India. She first appeared on screen at age 4; 19 years later she was in a movie dancing wildly like a snake. She carried herself — forgive my gushing — as the queen that she is, like Elizabeth Taylor entering Rome as Cleopatra. Ali, my photographer friend, forced me to take Mrs. Sridevi in my arms. She seemed amused by my strange behavior, but I was a little freaked out, holding my idol. She probably could never have imagined that she represented such a big chapter of my fantasy life as a child. Or that this was a moment I would never forget.....

 More at T Magazine, From NY Times

Christian Louboutin with Sridevi

Khushi Kapoor (L), Christian Louboutin and Janhvi Kapoor (Sridevi's daughters!).

Sridevi inspires designer Neeta Lulla

Sridevi with Neeta Lulla

National-award winning designer Neeta Lulla has styled almost all film celebrities but its Bollywood diva Sridevi who has been an inspiration to her.

"Someone who has inspired me in my work among the actresses is Sridevi. She has taught me a lot. I have worked with her for 12-13 years. I learnt a lot from her. And as a newcomer in the film industry, she was a big support to me and I will always cherish it," Lulla said.

"I loved designing her each and every moment. Beyond her styling, she is a great actress and the aura that she exhibited on screen is tremendous," she said.

Sridevi had walked the ramp for Lulla and is spotted on almost all her birthday parties. Lulla, who has designed for several films and won four National Awards, says its difficult to choose which project was the most challenging for her.

"When you style 80-90 actors it is difficult to choose which one was challenging. Each film I have done.. almost 300 films has been challenging. Each film has graduated me to do lot more and learn. For me to judge one film is not right," she said.

More at Deccan Chronicle

Pics of ace designer Neeta Lulla with Sridevi over the years:

Neeta Lulla with Sridevi on the sets of Roop Ki Rani...

Sridevi and Boney Kapoor at the Sahara Party:

Beautiful Sridevi at the Sahara party. Dressed in a sari, she looked her usual gorgeous self. At the event, Sridevi sat with actor-turned-politician Jaya Bachchan during the party hosted by Sahara head, Sahara India Pariwar's chief guardian Subrata Roy on the occasion of his grand-daughter Roshana's 'annaprashan' in Delhi. 

A bevvy of high profile people - cricketers, politicians, Bollywood stars, friends and family members - who all came to wish Richa and Sushanto and their girl child-  attended the party.

20/03/2013 
March 2013

Sridevi's Lamhe with Yash Chopra: Actress talks about working with the director in films

Stardust, Dec 2012. A tribute to Yash Chopra by Sridevi for Stardust.

Great memories of the director and his favourite muse, actress Sridevi. Such a rare feature to  have just Sridevi speak uninterrupted. Great insights into their working relationship.

Excerpts:

Sridevi's Lamhe with Yash Chopra 

Sridevi, "People always thought that he was serious and strict as a person, but he was like a child. I was totally amazed by his energy levels.

For the first time in my career, I worked with a director who gave as much importance to the looks and the costumes of his heroine as the script and the screenplay. Bhanu Athaiyya was the costume designer for Chandni and those days, I used to do about five to six shifts a day and after all that, I used to sit with Bhanuji and Yashji to finalize my costumes for every scene. Every day, they would come and discuss about the detailing of something as simple as a salwar-kameez and I used to feel why he is giving so much importance to salwar-kameez. It was only later that I understood why he was so particular about the costumes and my look in every scene of the film. Today, when any girl wears a white salwar-kameez, she gets compared to my look from Chandni.

Everybody loved him so much that nobody could say no to him. I remember while shooting for Lamhe, for even the smallest scene, he would make me wear so many different costumes till he got the right look. I had tried over 50 costumes on one day that was dedicated only for finalizing the costumes and the looks. He would sit with the photographer; ask him to take my picture in a costume and say, "Yeh look air yeh dress hum is particular scene main use karenge." For every scene, the costume would get finalized and tagged. Costumes were always pre-decided so that no time would be wasted once the shooting was on. For example, if scene number 57 was to be shot, the costume for that would be ready in advance with the tag of no. 57 on it. So the assistant would just have to go and get that dress. He was an absolute perfectionist.

People ask me if I miss him more as a filmmaker or as a person. I miss him more as a person simply because it's very rare to come across a person with such great a combination. He was full of love and affection. He used to enjoy watching good movies and wouldn't hesitate to praise people for their good work."

Left: Designer Bhanu Athaiya with her Oscar for Gandhi. Above: Sridevi on the sets of Chandni and Lamhe with producer/director Yash Chopra over the years.