Sridevi in and as Sherni (1988)

The way algorithms work on the net, the first Sherni that comes up is the newer Vidya Balan film that released in 2021. For Sridevi fans of course, there's only one Sherni, her 1988 Harmesh--Nagina--Malhotra producer/director-made film. To be honest, Vidya's movie is much better, more thoughtful and a far more serious movie compared to the ill-executed predecessor, Sherni with Sridevi. Sridevi herself disliked the film and almost never spoke about it. Most of the budget went on her fees, not in the writing, cinematography, costumes, dances, music or... well, you get the gist.

There are several moments were Sridevi shines in scenes and songs but she was greater than the film she was in, trying to rescue a losing battle. Alas.

Online legend has it--and lets take that with a pinch of salt--that the film started long before Nagina but was going nowhere and shelved. Nagina became a surprise blockbuster which suddenly made the proposition of Sherni (with almost the exact same team), a more exciting proposition for exhibitors and a rushed job hit the cinemas.