Sridevi with NTR: Sardar Paparayudu (1980): The Telugu smash that became Sarfarosh (1985)

The Telugu blockbuster Sardar Paparayudu released in 1980, starring the young starlet Sridevi, who had just turned 17, with her much older co-star, the legendary NTR aka N.T. Rama Rao. 

Years later, when the film was remade in Hindi as Sarfarosh, Jeetendra grabbed the title role and retained Sridevi as leading lady, who by 1985, was already a pan-Indian superstar. 

Sridevi in Johnny (1980)

Released on 15 August 1980, Sridevi in the Tamil classic Johnny was sensational. Keep in mind, she was just 17 and she turned in this memorable performance. 

 
 

Sridevi in the Tamil classic Johnny (1980)

Sridevi, 17, in the Tamil classic Johnny (1980)

Sridevi in Johnny (1980): 44 years of this Tamil classic

 

Sridevi in Johnny (1980). Released on 15 August 1980, though Rajinikanth had the title, author-backed double role, 17-year-old Sridevi stole the show in her scenes, song routines as she essayed the part of a singer to perfection--look for the mannerisms, her signature pearls, her hand gestures, the way her throat muscles quiver to show that she's singing (when in fact legendary singer S. Janaki did the needful). 

Excerpt:

"The scene where Archana (Sridevi) proposes to Johnny was shot in Ooty in a bungalow at midnight. When the scene was shot, the whole unit was silent, they saw only the characters of the film, not Rajinikanth and Sridevi. After the scene was shot, Rajinikanth appreciated Sridevi's acting and mentioned to Mahendran that though he tried, she overshadowed him in the scene..." 

-- Dhananjayan, G. (2011). The Best of Tamil Cinema, 1931 to 2010: 1977–2010. Galatta Media.

Chiranjeevi and Sridevi in ​​the Telugu film Mosagadu (1980)

Chiranjeevi and Sridevi in ​​the Telugu film Mosagadu (1980). Yet another double role for Sridevi. 

Sridevi, 17, in a flawless performance in Tamil classic Johnny (1980)

 Sridevi, 17, in a flawless performance in Tamil classic Johnny (1980)

 Our archive of images from the film here.

A life lived on set: Sridevi on an eternal break

Sridevi, 17, in the Tamil classic Johnny (1980)

 

 

Teenage Sridevi in costume in the Telugu film Kaksha (1980): Age 17 Sri

TBT to 1980, Sridevi, 17, in costume on the sets of the Telugu film Kaksha.  

 

Sridevi in the Tamil film Guru (1980)

Sridevi, 17, in the Tamil film Guru (1980)

Sridevi in the Telugu film Aatagadu (1980)

 

Sridevi in the Telugu film Aatagadu (1980)

Sridevi was all of 17 when she shot the film with her co-star, the legendary N. T. Rama Rao - who was 40 years older than her. 

Sridevi in the Telugu film Adrushtavanthudu (1980)

 

A young, 17-year-old Sridevi with Krishna - who was 36 at the time - in the Telugu film Adrushtavanthudu (1980) 

Sridevi and Kamal Haasan in the Tamil film Guru (1980):

Sridevi and Kamal Haasan in the Tamil film Guru (1980). Made in Tamil and Telugu 40 years ago today, the movie was a major success.  

The Tamil version of the film was released on 18 July 1980; the Telugu version a day later. Both were critically and commercially successful. 

Funnily enough, in retrospect, Kamal Haasan has been critical of the film, calling it utter "crap"! 

Sridevi was all of 17 when she did the film and wore the teen fashion of the time - whatever was in trend in the late 1970s ipso facto the short shorts, the tops with piping and the bright technicolour. 

Early on she liked wearing white saris on screen.