TBT: Yash Chopra presents Sridevi an Award: Remembering Yashji on his Birth Anniversary

TBT: Yash Chopra presents Sridevi an Award: Remembering Yashji on his Birth Anniversary

Of the many tragedies, if only Sridevi had done one more film with Yash Chopra after Chandni and Lamhe. Alas... 

Born on September 27, 1932 in Lahore, now Pakistan, Yash Chopra's easily one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. Though he found mega success in love stories, he was easily the most versatile and gifted film maker of his time - and truly an aesthete. He understood cinema, from music, visuals, cinematography, outfits, dances, dialogues and even action, he felt the pulse of the audience and delivered time and again. Even his worst films are better than most contemporary directors' endeavors. Of course, we don't remember him for the tepid Parampara or the hollow Jab Tak Hai Jaan, but the best of his films like Deewar, Silsila, Chandni, Lamhe, Mashaal, Kabhi Kabhi, Trishul, Dhool ka Phool etc etc. Too many to list. 

I do not think its coincidence that the year he stopped making movies, he stopped breathing. Films were truly his life and pure passion. 

Above; Yash Chopra presented his "favourite" Sridevi an award back in 2008--more in the archives here.

Yash Chopra, "Sridevi is a complete actress, unrivalled..."

Yash Chopra, “Sridevi made the character [Chandni] overpower her star image. That is her biggest asset. Do you know that after this film Sridevi is known as Chandni in the North? Imagine, an actress from the South has become a living character in the North! Now you have Chandni sarees, salwar kameez and even churiyan (bangles).

Sridevi got into the character to the extent that she even reduced her weight. It was unbelievable that any actress would work so hard. In one song she has sung a few lines and because her diction and sur was a problem she stood for nearly twelve hours rehearsing every line. Sridevi’s own contribution to the film, as an artist, was immense. Even in a close up shot she was very careful. 

In her dancing her face is very expressive which is an added qualification. Bhava is of the soul dance. I don’t agree with the theory that an actress face should not be more expressive than the body. All dancers, like Vyjayantimala, have a visually strong image because of their faces - so does Sridevi. She is the complete actress, unrivalled and the best material available. 

I don’t believe in the numbering business, but I’ll say she is the top and nobody can even compete with her today, leave alone being better than her.” 

--Filmfare Magazine 1990

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RELATED POSTS

• Yash Chopra with Sridevi over the years here.
• Archive of features and pics from Lamhe here. 
• Archive of features and pics from Chandni here.

Rare pics of Sridevi with the cast and crew of Chandni (1989)

Rishi Kapoor, Sridevi, Yash Chopra and Pamela Chopra on the sets of Chandni (1989)

Choreographer Saroj Khan, Yash Chopra and Sridevi 

Sridevi and producer/director Yash Chopra 

 Rare pics of Sridevi with the cast and crew of Chandni (1989). 

 Love, love, love finding these vintage gems from the archives, especially of Sridevi in Chandni - the absolute zenith of her epic beauty, talent, fashion and infinite gifts so beautifully honed by the maestro that was Yash Chopra, who defines the Bollywood musical like few others. 

Watching The Romantics on Netflix made me so nostalgic... even beyond the romances, Yash Chopra was a truly gifted director who covered the gamut of genres, his oeuvre was greater than the chiffon sari red roses soft focus songs shot in Switzerland. The grit, the mystery, the violence, the dramas... he really did them all exceptionally well. In my humble estimation, he was the most versatile Indian film director... of all time. 

Birth Anniversary of Yash Chopra: Sridevi's finest producer/director in Bollywood

Birth Anniversary of Yash Chopra: Sridevi's finest producer/director in Bollywood. Seen here, at the launch of Govinda (shelved film), at the premiere of Chandni in Mumbai and at the launch of Teerandaz (shelved film).

The gorgeous cast of Chandni; Rishi Kapoor, Sridevi and Vinod Khanna

The gorgeous cast of Chandni; Rishi Kapoor, Sridevi and Vinod Khanna

The image of Yash Chopra directing Sridevi... rare.

Sridevi with Yash Chopra

On the sets of the Hindi film Chandni in early 1989, Sridevi with her film producer and director Yash Chopra. 

Left: Yash Chopra quote, "Filmmakers know she's worth every penny they pay her, that's why they sign her."

Yash Chopra with Sridevi and Boney Kapoor

Rare pic: Yash Chopra with Sridevi and Boney Kapoor at an event.

Sridevi with Yash Chopra on the sets of Chandni (1989)

Sridevi and Yash Chopra 

Rarest of pics - Sridevi with her favourite director Yash Chopra. Yash Chopra with his favourite muse Sridevi.

On the sets of Chandni (1989)

Sridevi and Yash Chopra on the sets of Lamhe

Sridevi and Yash Chopra on the sets of Lamhe. Every new pic we find from Lamhe, we treasure. What a gem of a movie.

Sridevi on the sets of the song 'Meri bindiya, teri nindiya'. She's always been beautiful, in this, she's super-duper cute.

click to enlarge 

Lamhe with Sridevi, Anil Kapoor and Yash Chopra

The first time we hard the piano chords from Kabhi main kahun, we fell in love with the movie... The iconic song - and the iconic director behind the scenes setting the shot... Yash Chopra - there's no one like you!

Sridevi at an event... Gorgeous actress at a party with Yash Chopra, Rishi Kapoor

Sridevi in white salwaar kameez... at a party... event... for...? From the early 90s. 

The picture with Yash Chopra is too precious.

Sridevi shares a laugh with Rishi Kapoor