Showtime: Dec 1988: Dimple Kapadia, Sridevi, Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna

Showtime: Dec 1988: Dimple Kapadia, Sridevi, Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna

 

TBT: Excerpt from Showtime, February 1991: Sridevi speaks!

Excerpt from Showtime magazine, back in 1991!

"....bought a flat and stayed in a building, then my neighbours would say “Woh hamara saath nahi hai”, it wouldn’t be right, would it? Otherwise, everything is just the same. Bhagwandasji looks after my work but it is my mother who is in charge.

“The past year, 1990 has been a bad year for me. I lost my father and I had just one release.” Which fetched her an award, we add, and for the first time in the half-hour that we had spent talking a lovely smile illuminates her face. “Yes”, she says softly, but before she could slip further away into her memories, one wonders if she has any hopes for the year. Her reply is swift.

so long!” She flashes a naughty grin. “As for my other stars, Khuda Gawah, Barj... [unclear], Gurudev, all the problems with them have been solved, and we’ll start shooting soon. Raj Sippy will be directing Gurudev. Farishtey is the film I am really looking forward to. I am satisfied with my performance, stop laughing, I am serious, I mean it!” she said, all the while laughing herself. “After Chaalbaaz, my character in Farishtey is so complete, so full, you wait and see.”

The career threat

“I want all my films to do well. I work hard in them and do my best, the rest is for [cut off]”

“Even now I can do teenage roles.”

Reportedly she was influenced by Boney not to do the film. “You always come up with something or the other!” she burst out, an exasperated look on her face. “Yes I was offered the film, and it was a great opportunity to work with Dilip Kumar, but they wanted to shoot the whole film outdoors, and required immediate dates. Which I couldn’t give, because I was and still am busy completing my films and I couldn’t go outdoors for such a long time. Now someone is doing the film, so it’s better not to comment any more on this subject. All I will say is that [cut off]” quietly without any hungama [Main text] health, but that doesn’t mean I am lonely. 

"...Most of the responsibilities have fallen on my mother’s shoulders. Even though she can’t move around much or accompany me to shootings, everything is under her control. Without her green signal, nothing can go ahead. I loved my father so much, as a daughter, a friend. No words can describe my love for him. It was beyond description. “A veil of sorrow falls over her eyes. She is silent for a while, then sighs deeply. “More than me, it’s my mother’s loss. Can you imagine what she is going through? My father used to take care of everything, the electricity bills, other bills, cars, staff, and now it’s my mother’s responsibility. She doesn’t know the first thing about any of it but she has to do it just the same..." 

"...I think my shifting out of Centaur must have started these rumours. I have always hated staying in hotels, and I wanted to buy a flat for quite some time but for some reason never got round to it,” she shrugged. “So, since I didn’t like the idea of staying alone in a hotel room without mummy, I shifted into this flat. Yes, it does belong to Boney but he doesn’t live there. I stay there alone. I don’t even have dinner with the family. It’s the ideal arrangement. It’s a totally private flat, no interference from anyone and I have complete privacy...." 

 "....obligingly signs autographs while people watching her yell, “Sridevi, hey that’s Sridevi!” She calmly raises her hand, waves back and then resumes watching her co-star do his scene. No starry tantrums, no yelling for her staff or loud greetings to those around, nothing. But then that’s Sridevi. She silently accepts her status, but is embarrassed if someone praises her. She’s confident but an introvert. Chameleon-like, she turns into a totally different person once the camera whirrs. Even when she’s surrounded by people, discussing clothes with her designers or talking to her..." 

-- Showtime February 1991 

Beautiful Sridevi on the cover of Showtime: The end of Film Magazines: Not with a Bang, but a Whimper

Sridevi on the cover of Showtime back in September 1988! The cover tag; "Heroines can't do without Sridevi!"

When publisher Nari Hira launched Showtime in April 1984 under Magna Publishing, it was conceived as the intellectual sibling to his scandal-heavy juggernaut, Stardust. Where Stardust traded in raw gossip and bite-sized industry insider talk, Showtime carved out a distinct voice: expansive profiles, nuanced film journalism, and high-impact cover shoots.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the magazine captured the peak of Hindi cinema’s golden era. Digital archives and collector markets on eBay reveal a clear pattern of who truly commanded the publication’s newsstand appeal. Sridevi was a dominant fixture, gracing the front cover over 20 times across her reign as the undisputed queen of Indian cinema. From defining 1980s solo heroics to early-90s transformations, her presence reliably drove readership. 

Beyond Sridevi, eBay archives and retrospective listings highlight a elite circle of superstars who repeatedly fronted the glossy title:

Amitabh Bachchan – A staple from the publication’s mid-80s inception through his legendary career transitions. Even when he had the infamous ban against Indian media, he still featured prominently in cover stories - whether he liked it or not. 

Rekha – Consistently photographed for high-fashion editorial spreads and candid personal deep-dives, the gorgeous diva was not just a Showtime staple, but a magazine staple. She loved doing creative, high gloss glamour shoots and made the careers of photographers. She did her own styling, often did her own makeup (had an assistant for hair!) and remains the most frequent magazine cover star of ALL time. 

Rishi Kapoor & Anil Kapoor – Regular cover choices during the late 80s rom-com and action wave.

Madhuri Dixit & Shah Rukh Khan – The defining faces of Showtime’s 1990s covers as the magazine documented the next generation of superstardom.

As print advertising contracted in the late 2000s and digital media reshaped audience habits, Magna Publishing consolidated its core operations. Showtime was gradually phased out, quietly shutting shop between 2008 and 2012 as the publisher shifted focus back to Stardust and Society. Stardust, which once dominated film journalism - be it good or bad - shut shop too. Left in a quiet whimper of mismanagement of editors and finances. Hard to believe as Stardust was so popular once, they were publishing a hot edition twice a month, published 

At their peak publishing output and readership in the 1980s and 1990s: 

Stardust: Published 1 main issue per month in English, alongside dedicated language editions (such as Hindi). At its physical zenith, its total print circulation reached between 250,000 to nearly 400,000 copies per month, boasting an estimated readership exceeding 10 lakh (ie 1 million) readers per issue as India's premier glossy film monthly. 

Showtime: Published 1 main issue per month. Positioned as a premier sister title to Stardust, its monthly print run at its peak averaged between 75,000 and 125,000 copies per month, catering to a more niche audience interested in extended features and in-depth profiles.

In terms of publishing frequency, both titles were monthly glossies, resulting in 1 issue each per month (12 standard issues per year, plus occasional special annual editions).

Today, back issues remain prized physical artifacts of Bollywood’s most glamourous media decade.

TBT: Showtime cover story: Heroines can't do Without Sridevi

Jacket on; Jacket off: Sridevi's 90s perm, smile

Outtakes from a Showtime cover shoot Sridevi did back in Jan 1990! The short perm was a look she was developing for the then in production film, which turned out to be a mulitple award-winning classic, Chandni.

Outtake from a Showtime cover shoot: Sridevi

A throwback to Jan 1990, Sridevi poses for Showtime magazine. You can see the cover shot and the other images here in the archive.

TBT: Sridevi in a serial on TV? July 1985, Showtime

What will lure stars to TV?
Showtime, July 1985

Sridevi

"Truly, I haven't given much thought to working in serials. I do watch TV in Madras, but whenever I'm in Bombay, there's no chance as I rush from one place to another to shoot in multiple shifts. Programmes like Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi are relayed in Madras, and whenever there's the opportunity I watch them. I really like Yeh Jo Hai... it's so naughty and humourous! In fact, I'd met Swaroop Sampat sometime back and told her about how she's become such a big star by working in this serial and in such a short time she's a known face throughout the country! TV offers this advantage of viewing stars in the comfort of your home, you don't have to queue up at the box-office for tickets to see us! 

Swaroop Sampat in Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi

If I weren't faced with the problem of not having any dates to spare until the end of 1988, I would consider working on television,. At the moment my routine is getting up early in the morning, going to a studio to shoot for one film in the 9am shift and rushing to another place at 4 or 5pm to shoot for another until late in the evening." 

 

TBT: March 1997: Sridevi thrilled to be Mrs Boney Kapoor

Sridevi, March 1997, SHOWTIME

Dear Sridevi, It's time for your to come clean. When the rumours on your so-called 'marriage' to Boney could no longer be shrugged away, you finally decided to go 'public' and admit not just that you had indeed tied the knot but that you were also in the family way. Actually what I would like to ask you is: at this point of time, how does Mrs. Newsmaker of the year feel?
Sridevi: "I feel thrilled, of course. It feels great to be married. Normally, I don't like to answer personal questions, but this once I'll make an exception. I'm proud to be known a Boneyji's wife. I have known the man for the last fifteen years and I must say he's a wonderful person. I simply can't express in words how happy I am right now!" 

Sridevi: Quote, Unquote: TBT to 1991: "If heroes can with with new girls, then why can't heroines work with new heroes?"

Everybody's talking of your latest move of signing films only with new heroes and none with your regular ones?

Sridevi: I don't like this question. I have never planned my career, so if you say that I have planned this so-called move, where I have signed films with heroes like SALMAN KHAN , DEEPAK MALHOTRA, AVINASH WADHAWAN and SANJAY DUTT, then you are mistaken. I have never dictated which artist to take or not to take. I am only concerned with the director and my role. 

The film with SANJAY is an old film and I have only done one schedule for this. I am working with DEEPAK in Lamhe and there are two films with SALMAN besides another with AVINASH which is a MAHESH BHATT film. 

Who am I to promote DEEPAK or anyone? If the heroes can work with new girls, then why can't the heroines work with new heroes?

Chandramukhi and Chand Ka Tukda are interesting films so I signed them not because of SALMAN or any artiste. How can you say that my pairing with SALMAN will not succeed? It's for the audience to decide and he's a good actor," SRIDEVI. And added. "With every new set up I feel like a newcomer. Each actor has his own style, Jeetuji's pictures were different, ANIL KAPOOR, SUNNY DEOL, and the others each had their own style and their films were different from each other.

Sridevi

Showtime Magazine 1991

Shout out to Instagram account Bollywood Memories: https://www.instagram.com/bollywoodmemories0/

I never said 'Ask Mummy': Sridevi: Showtime 1988

One from the archives, Sridevi's Q&A with Showtime back in 1988. Thanks to Bollywood Memories on Instagram for digging out this partial Q&A. 

Showtime: Why do you consistently give tame interviews? Don't you think it's a smarter move to talk to the press expansively so that you come across as an intelligent and articulate person, like say Dimple Kapadia, than the perpetual dumb Amma that you're made out to be?

Sridevi: Tell me, whom do I have to impress with my smartness or intelligence? My audience? I can assure you that they are quite happy seeing me on screen. My fan mail will vouch for that. Who else is there? The press? Why should I? Why should I tell all the little secrets of my personal life? My professional life and personal life are totally different. Giving an intelligent interview does not mean constantly talking about your children or your husband or your boyfriend. These things don't help selling your film. And that is all I'm interested in. I want interviews that read sweet, not controversial. If that makes me sound dumb, fine! Whether you can me dumb or intelligent, it really doesn't matter to me.

Do 'sweet' interviews mean, that you constantly parry every question with one 'Ask Mummy'?

Sridevi: Not at all. I have never ever said Ask mummy' to avoid a particular question. If at all I've said it, it must have been because the interviewer was asking me about my dates, or my shooting schedule, or the number of films that I have or even my income. Which is absolutely okay by me. 

Showtime magazine 1988🌾

Return of Sex and Glamour: Sridevi: Showtime's inaugural issue

Return of Sex and Glamour: Sridevi: Showtime's inaugural issue!

Stardust magazine's poorer cousin, Showtime was launched as a gossipy film rag that featured both film and television stars. But unlike other mags, there were few exclusive covers or scoops. Magazine folded in the 90s. The glory days of glossy film rags dwindling away annually... 

The Biggest Hit in Town: Sridevi

She's the only heroine today who demands and gets her price and choice of roles. Sitting cosily on the pinnacle of success, Sridevi talksa bout her career, forthcoming films, men and marriage.

Showtime August 1990 (Sridevi's birthday month) cover story!

TBT: Sridevi on the cover of Showtime, Sept 1987

TBT: Sridevi on the cover of Showtime, Sept 1987.

After Karma, Nagina and a string of hits with Jeetendra, Sridevi was on top of the box-office heap. The title for the cover story of Showtime magazine was, "Is Sridevi a Hero?"

It has dated in time, but the intention was to espouse the general belief that her costars were irrelevant as the Queen of the marquee, Sridevi could carry a film on her own. In notoriously sexist Bollywood, this was quite an achievement.

TBT: Sridevi: return of Sex and Glamour

Sridevi's sensuality on screen was described thus in the 80s in tabloids! Sigh.. The media brethren weren't always up to par in Bollywood film journalism.

This was the first cover of Showtime magazine, a sister publication to the film tabloid with the largest circulation of its time, the notorious and infamous, Stardust.

Sridevi was the star of the inaugural issue of Showtime magazine, an addition to keep up with the public demand for Bollywood tabloids - an era ago. Now as film magazines go down a downward spiral as free images and information is distributed first online, print media is circling the drain... 

Showtime shut shop decades ago. Stardust seems to be going into obscurity as well. 

Sridevi and Rajesh Khanna on the cover of Showtime: Maqsad (1984)

Sridevi and Rajesh Khanna on the sets of Maqsad. The publicity stills were used on the cover of Showtime magazine, under the caption: Rajesh and Sridevi: Welcome Back, The Era of Romance!

The title seemed prescient as it was the second highest grossing film of 1984! Bollywood newcomer, the then 21-year-old Sridevi paired with 42-year-old Rajesh Khanna suddenly seemed like a good idea - the two went on to do a handful of films together.

The film was released on 4 May, 1984 - guessing this magazine was published right around that time (the dates aren't clear on the image).

The Reel Empress of India: Sridevi - TBT to cover of Showtime magazine

click to enlarge

TBT: Jan 1990 Showtime cover star Sridevi. The Headline says it all, "The Reel Empress of India!" Sridevi.

Showtime: The Reel Empress of India! Sridevi

Sridevi's classic cover, January 1990, she graces the cover of the Showtime magazine. One of her many glam cover shots.

The Reel Empress of India!