Sridevi in costume for Dharm Adhikari

So pretty! Gorgeous Sridevi as a village belle in Dharm Adhikari.

Though she was a such a popular superstar living in her famous Madras mansion that was once a city landmark (every rickshaw knew where she lived and pointed out the guarded villa as you drove by!), Sridevi played the part of the village belle in so many films - many looks archived here.

Dharm Adhikari images of Sridevi with costars Jeetendra and the great Dilip Kumar archived here.

Jeetendra, Dilip Kumar and Sridevi in Dharm Adhikari (1986)

Jeetendra, Dilip Kumar, Priti Sapru (back) and Sridevi on the sets of Dharm Adhikari (1986)

One of two films Sridevi and Dilip Kumar worked in (the other being Karma). 

Beautiful Indian Actress: Sridevi in Dharm Adhikari

Sridevi as the naïve village belle in Dharam Adhikari. One of two films she appeared with Dilip Kumar in. 

Dharm Adhikari (1986): Jeetendra and Sridevi steam it up

 Dharm Adhikari (1986): Jeetendra and Sridevi steam it up  

Celebrating 36 years of Dharm Adhikari: Dilip Kumar, Jeetendra and Sridevi's 80s smash hit

 

Celebrating 36 years of the Dharm Adhikari, the all-star cast had a huge opening back in 1986 as the film included Dilip Kumar, Jeetendra, Sridevi, Kader Khan, Shakti Kapoor, Suji Kumar, Asrani, Rakesh Bedi, Rohini Hattangadi, Aburadha Patel and several others. 

These vintage Bollywood film posters of the 80s film. 

Sridevi doesn't have much of a role in the film but it was an opportunity to work with the great Dilip Kumar, still considered the greatest Indian actor of his, if not all, time. 

An archive of Dharm Adhikari images and features here.

Jeetendra and Sridevi in Dharm Adhikari (1986)

Jeetendra and Sridevi. Rare pic from the Hindi film Dharm Adhikari (1986). 

One of the two films Sridevi appeared with Indian screen icon/legend Dilip Kumar (the other being Karma - also the same year). 

Rare Pic: Jeetendra, Dilip Kumar and Sridevi on the sets of Dharm Adhikari (1986)

 

Dharm Adhikari (1986)

When the film was first offered to Jeetendra, he was meant to play the double role of father and son - just like the original Telugu film, Bobbili Brahmanna (1984). In the original film, both lead roles were played by Krishnam Raju as a double role.

Later Jeetendra decided if Dilip Kumar could essay the role of the elder brother, the film could be sold for more and would add to the star power. Ever the savvy businessman, Jeetendra went to Dilip Kumar and offered him the film and Dilip Saab accepted. 

April 11, 1986.

Below: Excerpt from Cine Blitz in the 1980s; Sridevi in awe of Dilip Kumar on set. 

"Did we mention Dilip Kumar only a while ago? The latest to be smitten by his ageing charm is Sridevi. She can't quite believe she's working in Raghavendra's film with him. Onlookers were amused to see Sridevi's goggle eyes and open mouth, as she sat next to him on the sets one day. "Saar," was all she kept saying to Dilip, and "Working with you pleazhure." Dilip loved it all, giving her the benefit of his deep looks whenever he wanted her to say it again!"

The fun and froth of Jeetendra and Sridevi films: Sridevi and Jeetendra in Dharm Adhikari |(1986)

There's a certain faction of film critics that loves to take potshots at the Jeetendra and Sridevi combo of films; films that made a lot of money for a lot of people as most of the 16 films they appeared in together were major successes.

Decades on, we look at them with a certain fondness, particularly for the song and dance routines, a reflection of the fashion of its times (the hair! the makeup!! the clothes!!!).

Eg above screengrabs of the dancing duo from the song Aankhen Do from the film Dharm Adhikari |(1986).  

Not all movies need to be life-changing affirmations on humanity - sometimes you just wanna have fun and not think about the toil and trouble of daily life as we lead our lives of quiet desperation. The solution, a colourful razzmatazz of a classic 80s Bollywood combo.  Enough with reality - we deal with it daily. Do we need to pay Rs750 and watch it again on repeat?! 

Sridevi, Dilip Kumar, Jeetendra in Dharm Adhikari (1986)

Sridevi as a village belle in the film Dharm Adhikari. It's only one of two films Sridevi acted with the legend Dilip Kumar (the other being Karma).

Released on 11 April 1986. 

Sridevi with Dilip Kumar and Jeetendra in Dharm Adhikari (1986)

Sridevi in red. 1980s. Gorgeous. Those eyes...

Stills from the film Dharm Adhikari (1986).

Didn't know Dilip Kumar had worked with Sridevi on film - here's proof that they did! The same year, they also worked together in Karma.

Below pic,  Rohini Hattangadi, Sridevi, Jeetendra, Anuradha Patel and Dilip Kumar in a scene from the film.

Released on 11 April 1986. 

Rohini Hattangadi, Sridevi and Jeetendra 

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Jeetendra, Dilip Kumar and Sridevi on set

Above: Sridevi's different looks for the film Dharm Adhikari