Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in the Malayalam classic Sathyavan Savithri (1977)

Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in the Malayalam classic Sathyavan Savithri (1977). A costume drama from Kerala, somehow, when Sridevi became a huge star in the 1980s, the film was re-released as "Night Queen", a tawdry title to lure in the front benchers. Part of the early bad press Sridevi had when they accused her of being part of "adult films" - a rumour that persisted for a decade and when nothing came of it, finally died down. 

Sathyavan Savithri was released in October 1977 in Kerala and you can watch it online in YouTube here.

 

Sridevi and Kamal Haasan in the Malayalam film Kuttavum Shikshayum (1976)

Sridevi and Kamal Haasan in the Malayalam film Kuttavum Sikshayum (1976)

Sridevi in the Malayalam film Angikaram (1977) aka Angeekaaram

Angeekaaram aka Angeekaaram is a 1977 Malayalam film, directed by IV Sasi and produced by Ramachandran. The film stars Prameela, Sridevi and Vincent in lead roles. The film had musical score by AT Ummer.

Sridevi was all of 14 when she worked in the Malayalam movie. 

Released on 12 May 1977

Sridevi in Malayalam film Abhinandanam (1976)

 

Sridevi in one of her 24 Malayalam films Abhinandanam (1976)

Sri was all of 13 when she did this I.V.Sasi film. 

Released on 2 December 1976

Sridevi as a child artist: Rare stills of Sridevi on the sets of Malayalam film Kumara Sambhavam

Sridevi, age 6, as a child artist: Rare stills of Sridevi on the set of Malayalam film Kumara Sambhavam

Sridevi in Deva Raagam

 Sridevi in Deva Raagam 

Sridevi and Kamal Haasan in the Malayalam film Aasheervaadam (1977)

Sridevi and Kamal Haasan in the Malayalam film Aasheervaadam (1977) 
 

Released on 10 February 1977

Sridevi in Deva Raagam (1996)

Sridevi in her last Malayalam film; Deva Raagam (1996). She looked so breathtakingly beautiful in her traditional South Indian avatar. 

Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in the Malayalam film Aadhya Paadam (1977)

 

Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in the Malayalam film Aadhya Paadam (1977). 

Released 43 years ago today on 10 November 1977!

Sridevi in Deva Raagam (1996)

 

Sridevi in the Malayalam film Deva Raagam (1996). 

Such a rare pic. Sridevi looked soooooo beautiful in this song. 

Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in the Malayalam film Nirakudam (1977)

Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in the Malayalam film Nirakudam (1977)
 

Released on 29 July 1977

Arvind Swami with Sridevi in Malayalam film Deva Raagam (1996)

Arvind Swami with Sridevi in the Malayalam film Deva Raagam (1996).

As is the wont of tabloid media, a huge fuss was made in the 90s about the age gap between the lead actor and the legendary actress Sridevi in the film, rumours circulated that the families were in discussion as thoughts of marriage were in the mix - none of it was true. Both stars denied it vehemently but a tabloid doesn't let fact interfere with sales.  

Sridevi was only three years younger than the actor, in better shape and looked as heavenly as only Sri could! They certainly didn't seem mismatched on screen, if anything luminous Sridevi overshadowed the monotone Arvind Swami completely.

There are many fans of the original Malayalam film (the movie was dubbed into Tamil and Telugu later) and the album is flawless, be it the title song or the duets, every number is a gem. Sadly the film wasn't a blockbuster but recouped its initial investment for the producers. 

Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in the Malayalam film Kuttavum Shikshayum (1976)

Iconic South Indian superstars Kamal Haasan and Sridevi in the Malayalam film Kuttavum Sikshayum was released in 9 July, 1976. 

A remake of the Tamil film Pennai Nambungal, the Malayalam version was shot in a record 15 day schedule.  

Sridevi was allll of 13 when she shot the film. 

Sridevi's designer lehengas in Deva Raagam

Sridevi looking so beautiful in Deva Raagam (1996). Her swansong in Malayalam films had the most divine music and Sri looked dreamy throughout.

See the entire archive of stunning images from the film here.

Features on the film:

• Not Chandni, Sridevi will forever be Lakshmi from Devaraagam to me
• Sridevi worked in Devaragam to keep her ailing mother's promise: KPAC Lalitha

Sridevi in the Malayalam film Thulavarsham (1976)

Sridevi, age 13, in the Malayalam film Thulavarsham (1976).

Sridevi's last Malayalam film: Deva Raagam

Sridevi's last Malayalam film: Devaraagam 

Rare Pic: Sridevi with Prem Nazir

Sridevi in the film Thulavarsham (1976) with actor Prem Nazir. Sridevi appeared in several Malayalam films as a child and teen star. In above pic, Sridevi must have been around 12 or 13 only...

Sridevi in Deva Raagam (1996): Indian actress' last Malayalam film

Sridevi's last foray into Malayalam films - where she was greatly loved as a child artist in several amazing movies. With Deva Raagam, she completed her Kerala chapter. Sridevi was splendid in this film, esp her comical scenes, she danced gracefully and looked stunningly beautiful in the songs - as she always did. 

Poombatta (1971): Sridevi as a child-artist: Sridevi's first award-winning and celebrated role

Sridevi as a child artist in the Malayalam melodrama, Poombatta (1971).

A precocious talent, Sridevi's excellent in the film. Though she's often said she mimicked the director and like a parrot, just recited whatever was told to her, when you watch the film, none of that translates on screen. Its a wondrous performance by an eight-year-old child. A child, who went on to become the multiple award-winning and legendary actress of today.

Actress Raagini with Sridevi