Sridevi with toddler Janhvi Kapoor

 

Sreelatha - the only woman who knew Sridevi from childhood, movies, motherhood and marriage: Sisters in Arms

When there's a supernova in the family, every other character in the household becomes eclipsed by luminescent one. Alas, this is the case of Sridevi's only and younger sister Sreelatha. When the first-born is leading lady and legend, everyone else sadly is relegated to the secondary. Heck even in a family like the Mangeshkars, the legend Aasha Bhosle felt relegated to a tier lesser than Lata Mangeshkar, when Asha tai was clearly brilliant in her own right and second to no one. Second born perhaps, and of such extreme merit and yet, she battled critics for decades as they were determined to puncture her baloon.  

Ayappan Sreelatha, the only younger sister of iconic Indian actress Sridevi (born Ayappan Sreedevi), 'Latha' remains a relatively private figure despite her close involvement in her sister's early career. During the peak of Sridevi’s career across Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Sreelatha was her constant shadow and personal manager. She routinely accompanied Sridevi to film sets, outdoor shoots, and award ceremonies. False rumours persisted that Sreelatha briefly harbored aspirations of acting herself - this is blatantly not true as both Sridevi and Sreelatha stated in magazines that the younger lady had no intention or interest in facing the camera. She did a few photoshoots for fun and for personal posterity, but there were certainly no sessions with producers to launch in a film. She family stayed behind the camera to manage Sridevi's affairs and schedule until her lavish wedding in Madras in the early 90s. 

Sreelatha married Sanjay, in a high-profile ceremony in Chennai, attended by prominent film industry figures and political stalwarts. It was the event of the year as stars of all stripes attended, from Bollywood, Tollywood and politicos who were never shy of facing the camera.  

Archives from Chennai publications detail a prolonged rift between the sisters during the late 1990s following the death of their mother, Ayappan Rajeswari (nee Reddy). After their mother’s tragic passing due to complications following a medical malpractice incident in the U.S., a legal compensation settlement was awarded to the family. Financial and property disagreements led Sreelatha to file a suit against Sridevi regarding property shares and compensation proceeds. The court eventual awarded Sreelatha a share of ₹2 crore, but the dispute led to years of estrangement. Sreelatha famously lashed out in print - it was a scandalous Cine Blitz cover story. 

The sisters reconciled in later years with the help of family members. Sreelatha hosted a family gathering to mark the occasion of Sridevi's Padma Shri and Sridevi frequently visited her sister whenever she was in Madras. 

While her exact date of birth is kept private, public records and historical press reporting indicate Sreelatha is approximately 2 to 4 years younger than Sridevi (who was born in August 1963), making Sreelatha approximately 58 to 60 years old. She continues to reside in Chennai, maintaining a low profile away from media attention. 

Sreelatha occasionally posts and reminses about her sister - and the incredible life they lived during the Sridevian era of national fame and global travels. As the new generation tries to joing the entertainment bandwagon - some more successful than others - all remain in the shadow of eternal Chandni. Not a single person in either side of Sridevi's family has attained the position, power and prestige of the last female superstar of India. "The Empress, Sridevi". 

Maheshwari posts rarely seen family photos of Sridevi

 

Former 1990s South Indian actress Maheshwari is Sridevi’s maternal niece - and she just posted a reel of rare photos of Sridevi from the family album. Sridevi without makeup at home, hugging her pet dog, at family events, at film parties and so on. A rare glimpse at a superstar in the comforts and safety of home. 

I've always been a bit confused about how Maheshwari is related to Sridevi - as the media has called her Sridevi's niece and sometimes her cousin! 

To clear it up, Maheshwari’s mother, Suryakala, is Sridevi’s elder half-sister (from Sridevi's mother Rajeswari’s previous marriage). Maheshwari referred to Sridevi as her aunt (Masi), while Sridevi’s daughters, Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor, consider Maheshwari their aunt/cousin figure (affectionately known in the family as "Magi Maasi"). 

After retiring from mainstream acting in 2000, Maheshwari's all too short a stint at acting in the 90s came to an abrupt pause, which is a pity as she was a fine actress with comedic sparks. She transitioned into fashion design with Sridevi’s guidance and support, frequently designing outfits for Sridevi and her daughters for high-profile red carpets and public events.

Mrs Nirmal Kapoor: Sridevi's mother-in-law: Anil Kapoor, Boney Kapoor's mother

 Sridevi with her mother-in-law Nirmal Kapoor over the years. 

Throwback: Sridevi with her children at the Kapoor household: Happy Birthday Karisma Kapoor

 Happy Birhtday Karisma Kapoor 

All in the family: Janvhi Kapoor, Boney Kapoor, Sridevi and Khushi Kapoor

All in the family: Janvhi Kapoor, Boney Kapoor, Sridevi and Khushi Kapoor back in 2010. 

Dabboo Ratnani, who never featured Sridevi in his calendar, despite the Fanclub's requests over years, did get to photograph the Queen of Indian cinema a handful of times. 

This family portrait was for the cover shoot of Good Housekeeping. Sridevi appeared on the cover twice, first in 2007, then with her daughters in 2010. 

The best shoot he did was with Sabyasachi and Sridevi - during the promos for English Vinglish back in 2012. 

Sridevi with her sister Sreelatha and mother Rajeshwari

 Sridevi with her sister Sreelatha and mother Rajeshwari 

Sridevi with her family: With kids Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor, husband Boney Kapoor

Sridevi with her family: With kids Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor, husband Boney Kapoor

Sridevi and family: over the years: Just the Four

 

Indian actress Sridevi with her film producer husband Boney Kapoor, children Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor. 

Rarely seen Sridevi pics from the family album

Boney Kapoor with Sridevi 

 

All in the family: Sridevi with her parents: An over edited fake Ai pic + the originals!

Above: A fake AI generated image of Sridevi with her parents
Below: The real pics published in Tamil film magazines

 

Sridevi with her only sister Sreelatha

Above left, Sridevi with Sreelatha, during Filmfare Awards, when Sridevi collected her first ever Best Actress award at age 19. 

On the right, Sreelatha with her daughter and family recently. The only person who knows Sridevi like no other... 

Sridevi with MGR and her parents Ayappan and Rajeshwari: Birth Anniversary of MGR!

Sridevi with MGR and her parents Ayappan and Rajeshwari 

Today, 17 January, is the birth anniversary of MGR. For new gen, westerners, you have nooooo idea how huge an icon MGR was back in the day...

Let's remind people again that Sridevi was born Ayappan Sreedevi, that's her only given name. In films, it morphed into her famed mononym; Sridevi. I've done the deep dive several times, but a reminder in the archive here.

 

12 Pics of Sridevi with her family: with daughters Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor, husband Boney Kapoor, mother Rajeshwari, sister Sreelatha and in-laws!

Above L: Sreelatha (Sridevi's only sister), mother Rajeshwari and Sridevi in their Chennai home. 

Above R: Khushi Kapoor, Sridevi and Janvhi Kapoor on the sets of Malini Iyer back in 2005 

Above: The last picture of Sridevi surrounded by her family

Sridevi flanked by her in-laws 

Boney Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor and Sridevi at Filmfare back in 2006

1999: Sridevi, Janhvi Kapoor and Boney Kapoor at Niagara Falls

 

Above: Janhvi Kapoor's toddler years with parents, actress Sridevi and film producer Boney Kapoor 

Sridevi: Sridevi with her children Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor

Sridevi: Sridevi with her children Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor