Sridevi in Sadma (1983): 38 years later

Sridevi's role in Sadma remains the gold-standard for acting by a leading lady. 

Released on July 8, 1983, the movie had rapturous reviews, but a distinctly dull box-office response. Far too serious for what the nation was in the mood for back in 1983. 

It grabs you in a way that I can't explain. You'll think long and hard about the movie for years to come - God knows we have for 38 years. 

1983 was a career-defining year for Sridevi in Bombay and Bollywood (long before the city was re-renamed Mumbai!). On the one hand she had all the acclaim of Sadma and on the other, massive hits  crowning her the queen of Bollywood! Of the Top Ten movies of 1983, Sridevi appeared in four of them, including the number one film at the box-office that year, Himmatwala (and went on with successive successes Mawaali, Justice Chaudhury and Jaani Dost). You'll remember the song and dances of those films, her costumes, her beauty - but none are a patch on a single scene in this heart-tugging tragedy. 

The face that changed the concept of a leading lady in Bollywood; Sridevi.