The most comprehensive fan blog dedicated to India's most beautiful and greatest actress of all-time (in our humble opine!), Sridevi. Sridevi aka Sreedevi, ruled Indian cinema (with awesome performances in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi films) in a career spanning 50 incredible years featuring 266 films. Born in Sivakasi on August 13 1963, her untimely and tragic death on February 24, 2018 left a nation in mourning. In our hearts, she'll forever be, the eternal Queen of Bollywood.
Q: Were you peeved by the tag--Thunder Thighs-- once given to you?
Sridevi: Ha! No, I didn't take that seriously. It was given to me at the time of Himmatwala. I was very chubby then, I weighed 75kg. At the time of Chandni, I lost weight and came down to 57kg, which I think helped me a lot to impve my dancing..."
Himmatwala released on 25 February 1983 in India, a runaway success where Sridevi wowed the nation.
After the underwhelming performance of Solva Saawan in 1979, Sridevi's return to Bollywood came via the smashing success of Himmatwala, where though Jeetendra had the title role, Sridevi's entry, song and dance routines and confident performance is was taken note. A star was re-born as she went on to work in several films that year that went on to become stellar hits. In less than a year, Bombay's filmy press crowned her the new Number One actress of cinema, usurping Rekha, who seemed to have no problems with passing the baton.
We need to do a deep dive on Rekha's empathy and kindness to innumerable starlets, actresses and newcomers as there are so many stories of her generosity, advice and direction that many have spoken about. Be it Shabana Azmi, Sridevi, or even Madhuri and Rani, none have a bad word to say about Re'.
Himmatwala, as Sridevi said, was no Mughal-E-Azam, but a hit is a hit is a hit. The movie is tepid fare with strong visuals in the colourful song and dance routines. Sridevi really appears like a temple Goddess come to life, all curves, sparkles and expressions. A hallmark film only because it was a stepping stone that boosted the career of an actress who went on to become one of the biggest stars in the country - before the age of 21!
Sridevi's cute grin in Himmatwala (1983).
This sequined yellow sari was a fashion moment in early 80s in Bollywood.
Not sure it would work on anyone... that didn't look like a doll like Sridevi!
Sridevi's first Hindi blockbuster that changed the course of her career.
Sridevi jumped into the top slot with a single film. The phenomenon that was Sridevi in Bollywood
The early days, it's hard to believe now, that Sridevi got sooo much criticism for her wardrobe, the press in the south went after her for the "dare bare" looks in the movie - which is so laughable now considering how much social mores have changed.
When I see the film now, Sri just looks like a doll, perfect in every look, graceful and gorgeous, at age 20, wearing what the youth of that time were wearing, contemporary Indian fashion and all the razzmatazz of young Bollywood, bold colours, prints, eye candy for the cine-goers. Who remember the faceless, nameless hacks of that era who criticised the young aspiring actress endlessly? Sridevi is one for the ages.
Released on 25th February, early in the year, absolutely no one expected the film to rock the box-office and ignite the career of a young superstar, Sridevi.
She resurrected the lackluster career of Jeetendra, while he gave new lease on her Hindi film career. Together they made magic in over a dozen films.
The film also had a very strong supporting cast - something many have overlooked. Sridevi also worked with those who cropped up many times in her resplendent career including the legendary Waheeda Rehman, comedian/sometime villain Shakti Kapoor, the legendary writer and character actor Kader Khan, Gabbar himself, Amjad Khan and prolific comedian Asrani.
Sridevi also worked with Arun Govil - who later found national fame in mythological shows on TV. And she worked with Ms India Swaroop Sampat (who went on to marry Paresh Rawal - who also worked often with Sri).
The swimsuit scene of Sridevi was considered downright scandalous those days and Sridevi was called, of all things, "a sex kitten". A term one can find bizarre and erroneous.
The costumes, the songs and dances, the 80s makeup and costume jewellery... It was Sridevi that shone through - and never looked back as the film clicked in as the biggest hit of the year.
Released early in the year, Sridevi's comeback to Bollywood opened with a bang on 25 February 1983. The songs were a smash hit, her fashion, her beauty, her youthful exuberance (Sri was all of 20!), it all worked and how!
Above a still from the film set - and a screengrab from the same. Gorgeous Sridevi
 |
| Sridevi, 20, with Jeetendra, 41 |
A friend of mine had introduced me to Sridevi, who had just done one Hindi film called Solva Saawan. There was something unique about her and, instantly, I decided to approach her regarding Himmatwala. Since Sridevi wasn't doing any Hiudi film and had the required dates, she agreed.
Jaya Prada was upset with me for taking her [Sridevi] as the female lead in Himmatwala. Eventually, we sorted out the misunderstanding and patched up. I was also very friendly with Rekha since I had worked with her in several films. I remember, when Sri and I were shooting for Himmatwala down South, Rekha too happened to be shooting in the same studio. Each time I'd run into Rekha, during the breaks and intervals, she would rag me by saying, "Don't waste your time talking to me. Jaaeye aapki heroine aapka intezaar kar rahi hogi." [Go your leading lady is waiting for you!] She was so sarcastic. But then, Rekha has always been a prankster, who never means malice.
Himmatwala was mostly shot in Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. I enjoyed working down South. Unlike our directors, the South Indian filmmakers are so organised. They don't waste time catering to the inflated egos of their artistes. They are absolute professionals. They start shooting early and wind up at sharp six in the evening. They stick to their schedules. During the making of Himmatwala, I'd insist on extending the shoot by an hour or so, but he'd just refuse.
Despite doing one shift a day, he finished the entire shooting of Himmatwala within four months. That was the whole beauty and excitement of working with such people. I'd got along with the entire team and my association with them continued for years. I've done more than fourteen films with Raghavendra Rao I'd describe a professional rapport as all about know each other's temperament and the style of working.
Lots of people tell me that Sridevi and I looked good on-screen. She is an amazing dancer and an astounding actress. I've lost count on the number of films that we did together. Sri is a professional when it comes to work and that's the reason she survived for so many years. She broke the myth that a Hindi film actress has a short career. Himmatwala was not exactly a romantic film, and the songs also weren't mushy. Himmatwala started the trend of the foot-tapping masala numbers.
- Zee Premiere December 2000
Himmatwala was released on 25 February, 1983. The film is a remake of the Telugu film Ooruki Monagadu (1981). The film proved to be a breakthrough for Sridevi in Bollywood and launched her to superstardom. Himmatwala was a massive commercial success, grossing ₹50 million, becoming the highest grossing Indian film of 1983 as well as one of the ten highest grossing Indian film of 1980s.
Will you be watching Sridevi's first Hindi blockbuster? Himmatwala in 1983 was the movie that ignited the most sparkling career of cine-Goddess Sridevi in Bollywood.
 |
| click to enlarge |
 |
| click to enlarge |
.jpg)
.jpg)
