Purple Reign: Sridevi and Janhvi Kapoor embrace a royal hue

Sridevi's first-born Janhvi Kapoor made a dazzling appearance at Karan Johar's 50th birthday party held  on the 25th of May at Yash Raj Studio in Mumbai. A Dharma Productions protégé, the leading lady of Dhadak's appearance was expected as Johar did produce the young starlet's first ever film. 

In keeping with the theme of the bash, Sridevi's eldest opted for a family favourite, designer Manish Malhotra's sparkling ensemble for the gala event. Many a leading lady wore glittering gowns, cocktail dresses and mostly western silhouettes. Even in that Bollywood melee, Janhvi stood out. However, Sridevi fanatics on social media quickly pointed out the resemblance the outfit has to one of Sridevi's own purple gowns, a Donna Karan number she wore to Filmfare Awards Nite back in January 2011. 

Now the comparisons are inevitable - be it with the gown or the glorious Sri - but it needn't be negative, but nostalgic. Especially since the Indian icon's tragic passing, fans of the late great (greatest!) actress have an alarming tendency to compare and contrast with one and all. 

Personally, we have no opinion on this, negative or positive. Its all.... fine. 

East or West? Sridevi was the best

Sridevi wearing Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla (left) and wearing a backless Donna Karan in purple satin (right), The pink for a Bengali movie premiere back in 2013, the purple for Filmfare awards 2011. She really did wind the clock backwards, looking better with age and chronicling what was in vogue on her bare back. A reason many a designer loved her as muse and movie star.

As the late, great scribe and photogreapher Gautam Rajadhyaksha said of her, Sridevi was one of the few Indian actresses who could pull off Eastern designer wear or Western couture with equal ease and elegance - a skill lacking in many of her contemporaries and competition. 

Sridevi struts in... and then storms out of Filmfare Awards 2011! Sridevi's war with Filmfare and Jitesh Pillai

All eyes were on Sridevi at Filmfare Awards night as the superstar cut a fine figure on the red carpet. A slim, svelte, sexy, shimming, shining superstar on hiatus (her last film release was in 1997!),  Sridevi arrived in great style to the annual Filmfare festivities.  The award-show of 2011 was a highly anticipated affair as all the stars of Bollywood attended (who were in town/nominated, and probably knew they'd win if they attended! Indian film award ceremonies are notorious for dishing out trinkets to superstars who attend and getting real creative with categories!).  

Sridevi looked absolutely radiant and statuesque in a purple Donna Karan satin gown. The creases are always an unfortunate side-effect of wearing satin but we still think she was purplicious-delicious-gorgeous! But then, we are biased... Unlike her contemporaries or her seniors, Sridevi doesn't look like a retired actress just one on an extended break. Time for a comeback gorgeous. 

UPDATE: Sridevi walked out of the award-show minutes after being seated. She was extremely upset at where she and Boney Kapoor were demoted to at some n'th row in the middle of nowhere. She felt sidelined and let the publishing team and powers-that-be know of her displeasure with a walk-off. Editor of the magazine Jitesh Pillai confirms, Sridevi was upset and he hopes to makeup with the legend... soon. 

UPDATE 2: Jitesh Pillai and Sridevi patched things up within weeks. So much so, Jitesh was one of a few handful of people invited to the dinners and birthday parties hosted at Manish Malhotra's house for Sridevi. Pillai also ensured that Sridevi got exclusive covers on the eve of every release of hers thereon.  In the busy Bollywood nite, he swears they had no intentions of slighting Sri and she remained a favourite of the Filmfare team. 

Below: Rare pic of Sridevi, Boney Kapoor and writer/poet/lyricist Gulzar. Though she didn't stay long, Sridevi still made the cut as the Best Dressed for the gala affair.