Sridevi rocking the IIFA Stage: 2013

 

Am so blessed I've seen Sridevi perform live on stage; in Hong Kong and Macau. When she was 30 and when she was 50 something. What all these tribute dances on Indian reality TV shows reveal is the dancing aspirant's acrobatics, not the grace, charm and expressive nature of a definitive Sridevi dance. Sridevi wasn't don't circus acts on stage, she was glamorous, gorgeous and graceful. A woman in full command, what distinguished her from the girls. 

Sridevi at the Oscars?

Let's be very clear from the get-go, the background of this Sridevi pic is fake. Sridevi in Oscar de la Renta at IIFA was real. 

As the Academy Awards air this morning (we're in Asia!), I'm reflecting on the number of actors and directors who have stated on record that Sridevi, as an actor, was comparable to anyone in the West. Her vast, oceanic talents and infinite gifts meant she could have adapted to any role or any field. She acted in films when she didn't even know the language (Malayalam, Kannada—and even Hindi in the early 1980s!), yet she learned and adapted quickly. 
Instead of Sridevi going to Hollywood to work in an English-language film, her radiance was such that she could have brought the Oscar to India through her performances alone.
Sridevi 2.0—in her second act after marriage, kids, and hiatus—was just gearing up, delivering one flawless performance after another... and then fate intervened so cruelly.
While contemporary stars walk the red carpet or get the privilege of presenting an award, had we bided our time, Sridevi would have, could have brought home an Oscar like no other star. Alas...
Of her 54 years, she gave 50 to the film industry, appearing in 266 films (definitely not 300 if we count strictly released theatrical films). There is no one who gave so much to the craft, the industry, and cared so deeply about every performance from start to finish. 
She sacrificed her health, personal life, and family for her work. These posthumous felicitations have yet to meaningfully honor her worth.
Sridevi was honored in the In Memoriam section at the 2018 Academy Awards (along with Shashi Kapoor and others), which is not the same as winning an Oscar (a couple of people wrote and published this incorrectly), and yet it still seemed... not enough. 
Just as we still remember Meena Kumari, Nargis, Nutan, and Madhubala for generations, Sridevi will be remembered forever. 
BTW, here's the real pic of Sridevi in Oscar de la Renta at IIFA below:

 
 

TBT to 2014: Red carpet reign: Sridevi in Oscar de la Renta

Sridevi, 51, hits the red carpet of IIFA 2014 in a glitting Oscar de la Renta Gown. The undisputed Queen of Bollywood, the iconic Sridevi was the model of pure elegance at the gala affair, looking dazzling as one of the best dressed cine-icons of the world.  

Sridevi on the red carpet, Sridevi on set: Gorgeous Indian Actress, Fashion and Cine Icon

Sridevi on the red carpet, Sridevi on set: Gorgeous Indian Actress, Fashion and Cine Icon 

TBT: Sridevi at iifa: The green carpet, the red gown, and the Goddess of Stage!

 

TBT: Sridevi at iifa: The green carpet, the red gown, and the Goddess of Stage! A memorable appearance by Sridevi in Canada, when it was officially announced that she was returning to the big screen with English Vinglish after a decade of keeping people guessing. 

The iifa awards were on recently and as always, the prizes were given to anyone who turned up. A free vacation for stars, a laughable judging panel, it's hardly a merit based award ceremony, where they make up categories on the go as stars turn up. The rule of thumb generally is, if the star's sitting on the front row, he/she is picking up a golden trophy. 

Used to love watching it when Sridevi attended or Aishwarya Rai did or the Bachchans did for the sheer glamour of it all. Now of course, the A-list only turn up if they are guaranteed acknowledgement or are  getting paid huge amounts of foreign currency to perform on stage. A handful of starlets and wannabes turn up for the free flight and stay! 

The awards are all risible but will give props to the stage shows; some of the greatest performances by Indian celebrities (and some of the worst!) have been performed at iifa. No surprises, Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Sushant Singh Rajput and especially Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan have given incredible live, non-stop dance performances. Have witnessed their incredible skill sets that make them who they are. 

Have sadly also witnessed the worst dances by stars too; namely, Sonam Kapoor and... so reluctant to type this but it was Parineeti Chopra. Pari is a lovely actress and truly one of the better talents on and off screen, and she was wonderful to the press and fans... but, but, but she has zero stage presence, had the worst stage outfit, and can't shake a leg. Meanwhile, Sonam Kapoor was stiff as a cardboard and whoaaa, dreadful. Was like watching a kid in highschool barely pass the elementary stage of dancing, but getting the applause by the teary-eyed family. Which we also saw... (Anil was in the audience and his wife Sunita Kapoor who is profoundly bored of Bollywood!). 

Not all stars can be everything to everyone. Manoj Bajpai and Tabu are wonderful actors, but both have performed poorly on stage when it comes to the song and dance routines expected of Bollywood's top tier stars. Manoj did this weird crow dance at Filmfare that was the worst thing I've ever seen. And Tabu in... say it with me... Thakshak. It has millions of views on YouTube as the music by AR Rahman is incredible, but ask any classical Indian dancer - they all cringe when they watch it. And I say it being a mega Tabu fan--she's easily the greatest actress of her generation, bar none. Hema Malini can dance like a dream, but as an actress... well, she's no Tabu either!  

Obviously not all are like Sridevi who could do it all. And then some! 

RELATED FEATURES 

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• Sridevi at iifa over the years here.

All that Glitters: Sridevi on stage at IIFA in Macau

All that Glitters: Sridevi on stage at IIFA in Macau. As its my birthday today, remembering the last time I saw Sridevi live in person - on stage, looking like the Goddess that she was. 

Sridevi's birthday anniversary coming up in August. 
 

5 times Sridevi hit IIFA's Red Carpet and Smashed It! Gown and Glory of Sridevi Kapoor: Iconic Indian Actress

Sridevi's best looks for IIFA Red Carpet: Gown and Glory of Sridevi Kapoor: Iconic Indian Actress 

This year IIFA is going to honour Tamil cine-icon and legend Kamal Haasan with a notable accolade, the 2023 IIFA Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema, on Saturday 27th May 2023, at Etihad Arena, Yas Island – Abu Dhabi.

There are only two people who can share the stage with him and confer him the honours, one in heaven Sridevi and the other, the humble Rajinikanth, who is not known for pomp and circumstance off-screen. 

Back in 2018, one of the last things she did on a public forum was present Kamal Haasan an award, before she left us all far too soon .

IIFA 2023 in Abu Dhabi: May 26th onwards: Sridevi will be missed!

 

The grand celebration of the 23rd season of the International Indian Film Academy Awards will be held at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai on May 26th and 27th, 2023 (Postponed from February). 

Reminded of watching Sridevi perform live at IIFA in Macau - she was breathtaking. 

Glad I got to see Sridevi perform live - TWICE. Blessed. She was magical on stage. 

We have of course a massive, massive archive of ALL of Sridevi's appearances, be it on the red carpet or green carpet, as award presenter or performer - all the above and then some here.

Shahid Kapoor apologises to Sridevi on stage at IIFA

Shahid Kapoor apologises to Sridevi on stage at IIFA!

A bit of background; Sridevi was doing a medley of her superhit songs and Shahid was supposed to join her - he missed his cue and she was left stranded on stage for a few mins. His sincere apology and her cute response and acceptance was too lovely. 

Thankfully they were both super fans of each other. 

Way back Wednesday: Sridevi at IIFA: An Indian Goddess on stage

 

Way back Wednesday: Sridevi at IIFA: An Indian Goddess on stage! 

Witnessing Sridevi perform live was one of the greatest moments ever. An actress beyond compare - she acted out the parts even when on stage. Legend. 

Lady in Red: On the 'Green' Carpet: Sridevi at IIFA 2011

Sridevi looking stunning on the 'green' carpet of IIFA, held in Toronto back in 2011. It was the the time it was officially announced that Sridevi was making a comeback in English Vinglish after months of speculation. 

 

Woman in Red: Sridevi stuns in Toronto: TBT

 

Stunning, STUNNING Sridevi at IIFA.

TBT: Sridevi's film Mom

 

TBT: This early press leak of Sridevi's film, Mom - when it was in pre produciton. 

Gorgeous Sridevi from the red carpet of IIFA. She was wearing a Oscar de la Renta gown and killing it for the fashion followers. 

TBT: Sridevi heading to rehearsals for IIFA, 2013

 

TBT: Sridevi heading to rehearsals in Macau, for IIFA, 2013.  

Sridevi's best IIFA Red Carpet Looks above. 

TBT: Sridevi at IIFA 2016

Sridevi at IIFA in 2013 on stage and red carpet... Don't know why the image caption says 2016!

Image found on Instagram. 

TBT: Photographer Andrew Adams gushes about Sridevi

Sridevi converted strangers to fans easily. Eg photographer Andrew Adams. Lovely tribute by him on his Instagram.

Yeah, 54 is no age to die indeed. Sigh... 

Sridevi with her daughters in Tampa Bay

TBT: IIFA 2014, Sridevi with her daughters Khushi (L) and Janhvi Kapoor (R).

Best Actress: Sridevi wins for Mom at IIFA (2018)

Sridevi's husband Boney Kapoor collected the late star's Best Actress award at the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA), held in Bangkok on June 2018. Sridevi won Best Actress (posthumously) for her role in 2017 film Mom

Boney Kapoor and Sridevi, August 2012

Sridevi wins Best Actress at IIFA 2018: Kirti Sanon Presents Award Honouring the late great Sridevi

Sigh... Another one awarded to Sridevi posthumously. Sridevi wins Best Actress for the film Mom. Boney Kapoor picked up the award on behalf of his late wife and had to be consoled and held up by his son Arjun Kapoor as he broke down on stage remembering his beloved wife.

I am all for recognition for the great actress - but always morose that when she was alive, she wasn't appreciated or as honoured as she deserved to be. 

Kirti Sanon stated on stage it was an honour for her to present the award in loving memory of the great Sridevi. 

RIP my Queen! 

RELATED FEATURES AND LINKS

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• Sridevi, award winner 
• Sridevi's long list of awards and accolades
• Sridevi presenting awards over the years here.

Sridevi and Shahid Kapoor rock the stage at IIFA

For a fun throwback, Sridevi and Shahid Kapoor rock the stage at IIFA. They were so cute together on stage. Shahid, a true-blue Sridevi fan has spoken well of her several times in the past.