The Sridevi centrefold in the 1980s

The Sridevi centrefold: Cine Blitz's spread in 1989

 

oh the 80s prom dress! A look from Chaalbaaz. Sridevi rockin' out.

Mithun and Sridevi: May 1984 Cine Blitz: When the Rumours First Started!!

As early as May 1984, film magazines were publishing rumours about the infamous Sridevi -- Mithun scandal. 

In fact, Cine Blitz published a news bite on the two regularly -- as did most Bollywood tabloids. 

Cine Blitz, May 1985

Cine Blitz, 1987

Sridevi

 

TBT: Cine Blitz 1998: The evolution of Sridevi in pics

TBT: Cine Blitz 1998: The evolution of Sridevi in pics 

Stars of 1988 in Bollywood: Cine Blitz, Feb 1988

Stars of 1988 in Bollywood: Cine Blitz, Feb 1988 edition. 

I recognise Sridevi and Jaya Prada... 

Excerpt: Mr.India Silver Jubilee Party: Did you know pre-fame pre-films Salman Khan attended?

 

Excerpt from Cine Blitz back in 1988, long before Salman Khan made an entry into films, he entered the Mr.India silver jubilee party on behalf of his father, writer Salim Khan. The soon to be superstar was such an unknown back then, the magazine spelt his name wrong, as "Salmaan"! 

"I expected Salmaan [sic], Salim's son to bash up Anil Kapoor at the party, because a few days back, Anil had made a pass at his girlfriend. But Salmaan disappointed me. He had not come to pick a fight, only the trophy. He was representing father Salim, who has co-scripted Mr.India with Javed. But on stage, Anupam the compere, gave the complete credit of Mr.India to Javed. Now Salmaan, has not one, but two scores to settle with Anil Kapoor. En route to their honeymoon, I saw the Reddy's - beanpole Sanjay and bashful Aparna, who are currently the guests of Yash Chopra, with Pam Chopra at the Mr.India party...."

TBT: January 1984: Cine Blitz: Jaya Prada, "Sridevi is NOT my friend."

 Cine Blitz excerpt from January 1984, Jaya Prada's cover story.

Are you trying to prove that what Sridevi can do, you can do better? "Not like that. There is no competition. People are enjoying it. It's accepted." But that does not answer the question... are you willing to compromise for the box-office? "I have not worn a bikini or short pants." Wish one could explain to Jaya Prada that her scenes from the 'oui amma, oui amma' song were obnoxious, crude, vulgar. And it's not necessary that you have to wear a bikini to be vulgar.

Jaya Prada, however, was convinced that, "I think I am better when I play characters. Serious and homely roles. Soft, emotional roles. But I can wear a dress, like a midi. I don't do dancing singing all the time because it does not suit me." 

We moved on to her only rival, for the No. 1 position - Sridevi. Is she more successful because besides being talented, she also makes an effort to cultivate her heroes? 

Jaya Prada recently did an interview with tears in her eyes stating how much she missed Sridevi. In her Cine Blitz cover story, she could not have been more blunt about what she and her family thought of Sri. Just saying... 

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Sridevi in 1989: Promoting Cine Blitz magazine while shooting Chaalbaaz

Sridevi, 26, promoting Cine Blitz magazine back in 1989! The accessories, the short wig, the clothes - ardent fans will remember this look from her sublime performance in Chaalbaaz. 

Sad to report that it looks like Cine Blitz, which seemed unbeatable in the 1980s and early 1990s, seems to have closed shop as well. 

Filmfare is the last bastion standing... but for how long?! 

TBT: January 1988: Sridevi's Cine Blitz centrefold:

Excerpt: 

Red Hot: The Shocking Break-Up! Straight from Sridevi! 

An inevitable second marriage. A suicide bid by the wife. A cheated second wife follows it up with a painful break. And a man is caught between his duty and his love. Much has been written about the Sridevi-Mithun affair. But these are the inside facts that no ones knows... 

 

Famous Fan: Mithun Chakraborty!

 Mithun, "Sridevi is the most fantastic actress and the loveliest person I've ever come across. Some may think she's aloof, but she's so lively and warm. Just to see her work is an inspiration."

--Cine Blitz February 1986

The Sridevi centrefold: Cine Blitz: Jan 2013

 

The Sridevi centrefold in a black gown; glorious Indian icon.

Shot by Dabboo Ratnani. 

Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi's Cine Blitz centrefold: TBT to June 1986!

Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi on the sets of Aakhree Raasta back in the summer of 1986. A Cine Blitz centrefold!

Sridevi didn't love her role or this film (tbh neither did we!), but she did it for the producers who had long-supported her. Sridevi didn't sign a film with Bachchan until 1990 when Khuda Gawah was launched and she had equal (some might even say longer/meatier + double role!) footage and screen time as Big B! In show-biz, she understood both 'show' and 'biz'--Sridevi signed her biggest contract with this movie. 

 

All in the Family: Sridevi with her near and dear in Madras: TBT 1989

Photographed by the late great Gautam Rajadhyaksha for Cine Blitz magazine, Sridevi with her entire family in their Madras mansion.

Sreelatha, Sreedevi, their father Ayappan Naidu, Ayappan Rajeshwari, Maheshwari... 
 

 

Sridevi in the mid 1980s in Bollywood: The scandalous cover stories!

Sridevi in the mid 1980s in Bollywood: The scandalous cover stories! 

 

Sridevi on the cover of Cine Blitz over the years

 Sridevi on the cover of Cine Blitz over the years 

TBT: Throwback Tuesday: Sridevi in July 1987!

A Cine Blitz cover shoot from July 1987, but the images were not exclusive so were found in other tabloids too! 

The wig, makeup and oversized clothes.. yeah, very 80s!

 

Gautam Rajadhyaksha's glamourous, gorgeous shot of Sridevi for Cine Blitz

Gautam Rajadhyaksha's glamorous, gorgeous shot of Sridevi for Cine Blitz, from October 1988. 

More in the archive here. 

Happy Birthday Sunil Shetty: Sunil Shetty with Sridevi

 Happy Birthday Sunil Shetty: Sunil Shetty with Sridevi 

 Anna turns 63 today, we wish the healthiest sexagenarian good health and great fortune, both of which he seems to be blessed with already! 

The picture has... a long story behind it - we've archived here. Read about the film Sridevi and Sunil Shetty could have done back in the 90s.... 

Archive of images of Sridevi with Sunil Shetty here. 

80s Icons: Rekha, Sridevi, Juhi Chawla, Anil Kapoor, Kimi Kattkar

80s Icons: Rekha, Sridevi, Juhi Chawla, Anil Kapoor, Kimi Kattkar

This Cine Blitz centrespread!