TBT: Six year old Sridevi with B. Saroja Devi

Six year old Sridevi with cine-legend B. Saroja Devi: "I first met Sridevi with her mother Rajeshwari. As a child, she was so charming that I asked the makers to cast her in the Tamil film Kulavilakku (1969). Every time she met me, she asked for my blessing and often showed me her work."

Sridevi, age 6, in Kumara Sambhavam (1969)

 

Sridevi as a child artist in Kumara Sambhavam (1969). 

Kumara Sambhavam (Malayalam: കുമാര സംഭവം) is a 1969 Indian Malayalam and Tamil bilingual film, directed and produced by P. Subramaniam. 

Based on the epic poem of the poet Kalidasa of the same name, it stars Gemini Ganesan, Padmini, Srividya and Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair in lead roles - with young Sridevi as a child artist. 

The film won the first ever Kerala State Film Award for Best Film. 

Sridevi, 6, as a child artist in Malayalam film: Kumara Sambhavam

Born to act. The acting Goddess! Sridevi!!

#Sridevi was born #OnThisDay. Remembered for her distinct expressions, unparalleled energy & delightful screen presence, she gave accomplished performances in films across the languages. Also appeared as a child artist, she is seen here in #Kumarasambhavam.

Sridevi as a Child Artist in the 1960s

And so the epic journey of Sridevi's stunning career began. Sridevi as a child artist in Thunaivan [Companion] in 1969. The Tamil film was a mythological drama directed by M. A. Thirumugam and produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar. It was written by V. Balamurugan and the music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan. 

The film stars child artist who went on to become a legend, Sridevi, age 6, A. V. M. Rajan and Sowkar Janaki in lead roles while Major Sundararajan, Nagesh, Sachu, Vennira Aadai Nirmala and K. B. Sundarambal are featured in supporting roles. 

The film marked Sridevi's first leading film role of her career at the age of five (she started acting age 4) playing Lord Muruga. It was partially filmed in Black & White and Eastman color, and was a commercial success, running in theatres for over 100 days.

UPDATE; These images are not from Thunaivan, but from her first Malayalam film Kumara Sambhavam (1969). The error is regretted.