Sridevi with Dharmendra and Sunny Deol back in June 1990: Premiere and after party for Ghayal

Rare images from the massive premiere party held at the Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai in June 1990 for the Deol home production, the hard-hitting hit film Ghayal. A box-office and critical hit that helped Sunny win his first (and only!) Best Actor award. 

Sridevi flanked by father and son, Dharmendra and Sunny Deol. In her incredible career, with nearly 250+ Indian films behind her, she's acted with both father and son as their leading lady; a feat she's done with several actors in the south too.

These images are special; Sridevi rarely made an appearance at a party. She turned up at the event to support her frequent co-star Sunny Deol and Bollywood legend, Dharamji. Its a matter of public record, Sridevi was initially offered the role of leading lady in the film Ghayal by Sunny Deol himself - but her busy schedule in the late 1980s meant she couldn't sign every offer made to her - in fact, we could do a long list of films rejected by Sridevi for myriad reasons - be it Beta, Mohra or Lekin!

Ghayal was first offered to Sridevi and though she cited "date problems" legend has it that the role offered to her wasn't meaty enough. Sri's contemporary, Meenakshi Sheshadiri, ended up doing the film. Ghayal by ace director Rajkumar Santoshi (who made one of the best Indian comedies of all time Andaz Apna Apna), went on to be a huge commercial success at the box-office.

Clearly things were fine between the Deols and Sri; she was invited to the celebration functions - and she gracefully complied. Dharmendra and Hema Malini were extremely fond of the shy and reticent superstar. Years down the line, Sridevi personally went up to the Deols to launch Esha Deol.

However, Sunny Deol certainly had a few issues which he aired on on TV. He has gone on to say some uncharitable things about Sridevi (famously in Aap Ki Adalat + in other interviews). Sridevi maintained a quiet dignified silence about the whole biz.

Sridevi had a long friendship with the film's incredible writer/director Rajkumar Santoshi, she was also close to his wife Manila Santoshi. During her self-imposed hiatus, Sridevi also made the rare guest- appearance in Santoshi's film Halla Bol (2008).

Above: Rare pic of 80s star Sonam (Oye oyve from Tridev!), with Sridevi and Sreelatha (Sridevi's younger sister). 

UPDATE: Below pic is of Sridevi attending the Silver Jubilee party of Ghayal. Ghayal was not only a commercial success, but a critical hit too. The film won seven Filmfare awards and two National awards. 

Sunny Deol, Sridevi and director Rajkumar Santoshi.