The Stylist Edit: Sridevi, Smita Patil

The Stylist Edit: Sridevi, Smita Patil, The striped chunri of the 80s... 

 

The 1980s in Bollywood: Sridevi at one end of the spectrum, Smita Patil in the other

The 1980s in Bollywood: Sridevi at one end of the spectrum, Smita Patil in the other. 

The two acted in a film together - Nazrana - and got along fine. Despite what the net has dug up from magazine archives from the tabloids of the 1980s - without context. A pull quote is not a conclusive argument. 

If cinema was meh that decade, Indian film journalism in the 1980s was at the bottom of the pile. Made up quotes, historical inaccuracies, no fact checking, no context, no nuance, no critical thinking - just high school gossip published in the guise of a magazine feature. 

Here's my take on both actresses, Sridevi and Smita Patil. Incredible performers with infinite talent,... However, Sridevi could do what Smita could, but Smita couldn't do what Sridevi did. 

There's an article somewhere in the film magazine archive about how much Smita Patil hated dancing in rain songs (even the fun Aaj Rapat Jayein), a staple in Hindi movies, esp the big dance numbers expected in commercial cinema. She said she could never pull off something absurd convincingly. Meanwhile, young Sridevi at age 20, went full force in the pots and pans included dancing numbers. Hiding any discomfort and masking it with a multitude of expressions and a smile. She convinced the audience, that yep, this is logical to dance in the heat of Madras (pre Chennai!) on the beach with a kilo of jewellery and makeup. And she did it exceedingly well. 

Furthermore, give Sridevi a serious role - pick any from her Tamil cinema oeuvre - Sridevi was genuinely great, if not incredible. Her precocious and stellar performances (remember she was just a teen when she did most of her Tamil films) are now vintage, classic Tamil cinema. 

Hence my lofty theory; Sridevi can do whatever Smita can, but Smita couldn't do what Sri did. 

Argue away on Reddit! OR see my point... 

Rare Pics: Smita Patil with Sridevi in Nazrana (1987)

Rare Pics: Smita Patil with Sridevi in Nazrana (1987)  Released after the tragic and untimely passing of the Smita Patil at age 31, the melodrama was a hit at the box-office. Sridevi was still in her early 20s when she shot the film and Smita Patil took her under her wing, especially when Rajesh Khanna was being difficult on set. After the experience, Sridevi never worked with Khanna again. 

Sridevi has rarely spoken ill about anyone in media, with only slight hints at her displeasure given to print. She stated that she was always nervous when working with petulant Rajesh Khanna as you never knew what mood he was going to be in. Hmm. 

BTW yes, Sridevi had a darker foundation on for the scenes above - if you've seen the film you know why... Um. More on the brown face controversy can read here in CNN. com 

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TBT: 80s Superstars: Kamal Haasan, Radikaa Sarathkumar, Suhasini, Smita Patil, Sridevi

Vintage 1980s: Awesome snap 📸 of

Kamal Haasan with Suhasni Ratnam, Radika , Smita Patil and Sridevi.

@hasinimani [Suhasini]
@realradikaa [Radikaa Sarathkumar]
@sridevibkapoor 

The late greats: Smita Patil and Sridevi

So sad and tragic that the gifted Smita Patil passed when she was just 31 - just before the release of the film Nazrana, co-starring Sridevi and Rajesh Khanna. While the film magazines of the time tried to insinuate the actresses didn't get along, Smita spoke at length at how wonderful Sridevi was and a great friend to her.

Smita Patil was eight years older than Sri and the contemporaries were leading ladies in their respective genres; in the 1980s the lines were not as blurred as they are now. Art Films vs Bollywood, there was a distinct demarcation between filmmakers and actors of the time. While Smita Patil was known for often political and song-less/dance-less art-house fare, Sridevi was already the queen of the marquee for her chart-busting numbers, masala movies and box-office clout. In bringing these polar opposites together, critics were amazed at how sure-footed Sri was in her role - forgetting that for all the glamour and sensuality the actress brought on screen, she was one hell-of-an actress with a strong portfolio in Tamil and Telugu films behind her. The two schools of thought met and matched each other brilliantly... and, quite frankly, the ladies overshadowed the fading superstar Rajesh Khanna completely in the movie.

An excerpt from a Bollywood film magazine from 1984;

"Wonder what Smita Patil and Sridevi were whispering in each others' ears during the shooting of their new untitled film (directed by Ravi Tandon) at Chandivali outdoor studios. It was obvious the two had become pals, it was also obvious that they were very happy despite the unbearable heat. After every shot, they would go into a corner, whisper in each other's ears and giggle. "Why should we tell you what we're talking about?" Smita asked. 

-- November 16-30, 1984, Filmfare 

The colourful poster of Nazrana with the top stars dominating the scene; Smita Patil, Rajesh Khanna and Sridevi. 

Sridevi with Smita Patel in Nazrana (1987)

Sridevi with Smita Patil in the film Nazrana (1987). Released a month after the tragic passing of Smita Patil, the movie was a hit and garnered high praise for the leading ladies.

Sridevi on the sets of Nazrana (1987): Her scandalous outfit!

Sridevi with her fake tan on the sets of the film Nazrana.  (1987).

When you delve into the press around this time, Sridevi was written about for her sensuality and sexuality and her co-star, the late, great Smita Patil, was written about for her natural acting, her histrionics, her thespian on-screen persona. By the end of the film, Sridevi received a lot of praise for her performance. 

Sadly, when the film released, Smita Patil had just passed away at the tender age of 31, due to complications from a difficult child birth - among other issues. A great, great actress gone too soon. 

The film was in production for years - feature below from a magazine published in Nov 1984 - the film was released in Jan 1987!

Filmfare, November 1984

Sridevi, Smita Patil and Rajesh Khanna in Ravi Tandon's Hindi film Nazrana (1987)

Sridevi in Nazrana (1987). The film with Rajesh Khanna and Smita Patil had all the ingredients of a typical 1980s melodrama and opened well. 

Sridevi had the difficult task of being noticed in a film starring the late, great Smita Patil. She did a fine job essaying the role of the 'other' woman in the film. 

Working on their fortes, Smita had the big emotional scenes in the film. While, Sridevi, who was still a relative newcomer to Bollywood when she signed the film, had the song, dance and seductress routine. 

In interviews, Smita had only kind words about working with Sridevi during the making of the film and Sri, as usual, spoke only well of her senior co-stars. [Rajesh Khanna was nearly 20 years older than her!].

Sridevi had excellent dances in the film, choreographed by P.L. Raj, Suresh Bhatt and Saroj [we are assuming its Saroj Khan but the film credit simply says 'Saroj'].

Released after the untimely death of the iconic Indian actress Smita Patil, the movie was dedicated in her honour.

Sridevi with director Ravi Tandon

BTW and FYI, the film was directed by Ravi Tandon - father of popular Bollywood star Raveena Tandon.

Rajesh Khanna with Sridevi

The shimmering blue sari-clad Sri - it kind of became her signature look after Mr.India. There are several images of Sridevi in a blue sari peppered throughout this blog!

Sridevi on the sets of Nazrana 

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