TBT: Sridevi and Boney Kapoor head to Padma Shree: Awarded by the President of India to the screen Icon

TBT: Sridevi and Boney Kapoor head to Padma Shree: Awarded by the President of India to the screen Icon 

RIP Shri Pranab Mukherjee: Former President of India

We just heard the sad new of the passing of Shri Pranab Mukherjee at age 84. RIP Sir. 

#TBT: The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Shree Award to Smt. Sridevi Kapoor, at an Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on April 05, 2013. 

Sridevi and Boney Kapoor before her Padmashri Award

How completely resplendent Sridevi looks - just before Sridevi and Boney Kapoor went to visit the President of India - for Sri to pick up her Padma Shree award (the fourth highest civilian award) for her contribution to Indian cinema back in 2013.

See the entire series of pics from the event here.

Padma Shree; Sridevi

SRIDEVI: A recent list of 50 Iconic Actresses of Indian Cinema by CNN-IBN stated that while there are many divas, Sridevi will forever remain the First Female Superstar of Bollywood. The reason is elementary. Sridevi's blazing beauty and talent sent the Indian and the overseas populace into a hysterical frenzy unlike any other. From Tathaiya Tathaiya Ho and Hawa Hawai to Mere Hathon Mein and Morni Bagama. From Sadma and Lamhe to Mr. India and Chaalbaaz. Sridevi is still the longest running No.1 megastar of Hindi Cinema and in 2012 she also became the only actress to make a victorious comeback with English Vinglish. With a whole new generation now falling for this Indian Meryl Streep, Sridevi proves that some legends are truly timeless. No wonder this Chandni was Yash Chopra's ultimate favourite.

Padma Shri came as pleasant surprise: Sridevi interview with DNA

Bollywood diva Sridevi, who lately made a comeback to acting after 16 years of domesticity with English Vinglish, says "acknowledgement" and "recognition from authoritative quarters are important to every artiste".

"It's my good fortune that people still love me and want me on screen. The Padma Shri came as a very pleasant surprise. I am deeply honoured," said Sridevi.

"I don't know what I did to deserve it. But I must have done something right to be honoured by our government," added the actress, who after creating magic on the silver screen in the 1980s and 1990s tied the knot with producer Boney Kapoor in 1996 and quit movies.

There had been a profound sense of dismay when earlier during the month Sridevi seemed to have missed out on the popular awards for her stellar performance in English Vinglish.

But the actress of timeless movies like Sadma, Lamhe and Chandni said: "At this stage in my life and career, I don't hanker for any awards. But the Padma Shri is special. It shows that the government has recognised my work, and that feels good. Acknowledgement and recognition from authoritative quarters are important to every artiste."

Though Sri, 49, is not going to go out of her way to seek acting assignments at this stage, she is still enthusiastic about her career.

"I started young when I was 6*. But I don't feel I've been acting for so many years. I still approach every film and role like it's my first. Though English Vinglish was my director Gauri Shinde's debut film, I felt like a newcomer as much as she did.

"It is very important for an artiste to be excited about her work in every phase of her career. If a tiredness seeps into one's attitude it will show in the quality of one's work Somewhere I think my honesty towards my word is being acknowledged by the Padma Shri. That I've managed to go so far in my life is all due to the support of my fans and well-wishers and my husband Boney."

The actress, who did her first film as child artiste in 1967, is a mother to two daughters one of whom, the elder Janhvi is said to be poised for a movie career.

The proud and protective mother laughs off these rumours.

"Jhanvi is just 16. She needs time to see the world and understand herself and her interests. At the moment, the two of us are busy together sharing a girl camaraderie. We're friends before being mother and daughter.

"We go out shopping together for clothes. We go to movies together. It's nice to be re-discovering my own teens through my daughter. I never had a chance to do all the normal girlie things. I was busy working."

Sridevi recently did a magazine cover with both her daughters Janhvi and Khushi.

"It was great fun. But it doesn't mean anything more. It certainly doesn't signal my elder daughter's film career. Like I said, she's too young to be thinking of career. Let her have fun."

Sridevi, whose career as Hindi film heroine took off with a bang in 1983 with the potboiler Himmatwala, is open to more acting offers.

"But it has to be something that appeals to me as an actress, like English Vinglish. At this juncture of my life, I am not hankering to face the camera. I've done every kind of role. It's the real-life mom's role that I enjoy the most," she said.

From DNA
Published: Monday, Jan 28, 2013, 14:27 IST
Place: Mumbai | Agency: IANS 

Is Sridevi on the Padma Awards shortlist? Fans urge the committee to consider the iconic Indian actress at long last

Bharati Dubey reports.

Very excited for Sridevi - and have our fingers crossed for her.

UPDATE: Yes - so glad she was nominated and won the honours. Praise the lord - she should have won several years ago. "Der aaye, durust aaye..."