Sridevi's intro look in the song Yeh Hai Sharaabkhana, from the film Gumrah (1993): Bollywood Queen

Sridevi on the sets of Gumrah (1993).

From the song 'Yeh hai sharaab khana...

Ther perm and short hair - you can tell this was one of the first things they shot for the film - as Sridevi had a short-wig 90s bob-cut look that she kept throughout the film! 

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Sridevi with Govinda

 

Sridevi and Govinda on the sets of the only Hindi film they did together, Gair Kanooni, which released in early 1989,

We heard Govinda has been unwell and is in hospital. We wish the actor a speedy recovery. 

UPDATE: What a strange week its been for Bollywood. Not one but three iconic Indian actors were hospitalised, Dharmendra, 89, Prem Chopra, 90, and Govinda, 61. Happy to hear Dharmji and Govinda are home. We wish a speedy recovery to Chopra too. 

Sridevi in Gair Kanooni

 Sridevi in Gair Kanooni

The Turban Explorer: Sridevi's look test for Khuda Gawah in the early 1990s in Mumbai

The Turban Explorer: Sridevi's look test for Khuda Gawah in the early 1990s in Mumbai 

Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi's Cine Blitz centrefold: TBT to June 1986!

Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi on the sets of Aakhree Raasta back in the summer of 1986. A Cine Blitz centrefold!

Sridevi didn't love her role or this film (tbh neither did we!), but she did it for the producers who had long-supported her. Sridevi didn't sign a film with Bachchan until 1990 when Khuda Gawah was launched and she had equal (some might even say longer/meatier + double role!) footage and screen time as Big B! In show-biz, she understood both 'show' and 'biz'--Sridevi signed her biggest contract with this movie. 

 

Striking Sridevi in Chandni (1989)

Striking Sridevi in Chandni (1989)

One of the most intense scenes in Chandni - Sridevi and Rishi Kapoor acted so beautifully.

This still from the film - just see her glorious wardrobe. Accessories. And that face! 

The face of Indian cinema; the Great Sridevi.  

Rare pic: Sridevi and Govinda together on the sets of the film Gair Kanooni

Rare pic: Sridevi and Govinda together on the sets of the film Gair Kanooni 
 

Anil Kapoor and Sridevi on the sets of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja

In a film studded with over the top costumes, this is a rather sedate look for the two leads of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, a film that lives in infamy for being one of the biggest fiascos in Bollywood history. 

Crucified in the press from the onset, the film could have fared better if given half a chance; it has so many (alas predictable) plot points, comedy, vintage Hollywood-ised song and dance routines, a train robbery scene worth its salt and thrills... the overcooked film took a beating before it could fly. Or at least break even. But the bank-breaking cost--which is visible in many frames, especially the Sridevi solos--and long film production interrupted by the schedules of the massive cast (imdb it!), ah, its a lesson in what not to do in movie-making. 

Heck it happens to the best of the best - currently Coppola's latest epic Megalopolis is being pulverised by the press... If it can happen to him, it can defo happen to first-time director Satish Kaushik. 

Personally, didn't love the movie, but certainly loved Sridevi in it. Who absolutely shines in her element of comedy and song and dance routines.

Sridevi rocks out!

 On the sets of Gair Kanooni 

Sridevi on the sets of Gumrah (1993)

Sridevi on the sets of Gumrah (1993). Ya know, Aasha Bhosle's rendition of Yeh hai Sharaabkhana is so lovely to watch as Sridevi's expressions and ease of movement is such fun. Her comic wink to the audience is there throughout... 

She made these ludicrous dance costumes work on the big-screen. In sills, it looks so absurd... but we didn't think of it when we saw it as part of the choreography and over all look and feel... She made the mundane, magical. 

Sridevi in Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha (कौन सच्चा कौन झूठा)

 

Sridevi in Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha (कौन सच्चा कौन झूठा) 

Sridevi with Govinda on the sets of Gair Kanooni (1989)

Sridevi with Govinda on the sets of Gair Kanooni (1989). Born the same year, the only Hindi film the two stars worked in was a hit... but Sridevi never worked with Govinda again after this film. 

Govinda went on to work with Karishma Kapoor often, and Raveena Tandon or--insert any much younger heroine name here! Karishma was 11 years younger than him, but didn't bat a blue-eye at the age disparity - as long as the movies were huge hits!  

Sridevi was used to the shenanigans of the Indian film industry - after all, she's worked with co-stars 20-30-40 years older than her for years! 

 

The Men in Sri's Life: This Sridevi centrefold!

The Men in Sri's Life: This Sridevi centrefold! 
 

Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi in Aakhri Raasta

Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi in Aakhri Raasta (1986)

 

Sridevi on the sets of Laadla (1994)

Sridevi, 30, on the sets of Laadla (1994) 

Released 30 years ago, yet another memorable performance by Sridevi. She loved this print power suit look and had it in her personal collection and wore it for several stage shows in the 1990s. I believe its a Manish Malhotra design... but I could be wrong. To be confirmed... 

A confident performance, Sheetal wasn't a villain as she was made out to be in reviews for the film. She just wasn't a docile victim waiting to be rescued. The Taming of the Shrew Bollywood-ified to social mores of the 1990s. 

Yet another film where though she didn't have the title role, all one remembers is her performance. Truly, the 'great' Sridevi. 

Oscar nominee Shekhar Kapur, "I never miss a Sridevi film. I'm very impressed"

Actor, director Shekhar Kapur spoke to Filmfare (August 1990) about the phenomenon that was Sridevi. In his own words;

"I never miss a Sridevi film. I've seen most of her Tamil and Telugu films. I was very impressed by her performance in Moondram Pirai. She was brilliant. 

It was during Joshilaay that I got to know her.. .and discovered the incredible performer in her. I was absolutely fascinated. 

In fact, the song, I love you was not in the original script of Mr India. It was added later. One day Boney (Kapoor) came and told me that he had seen Jaanbaaz and was stunned by the sensuality Sridevi exuded in a song sequence. "She can't look more sensual," he said. I went and saw the film and accepted the challenge to present her more sensually. The result was I love you. She looked so sensual, fully clothed. 

Even the Charlie Chaplin bit was an afterthought. The scene required Sri to disguise herself as  a man. Why not as Charlie Chaplin? I thought. She was so good in the scene that I went on extending it, adding one gag after another. 

Mr.India was a kind of film and she played a king of role in it. In Chandni, she went a step beyond, projected another aspect of her. She now needs to play an exceptional character. maybe a tragedy. I think someone should make a Mughal-e-Azam with her. I regret not having made a film with her immediately after Mr India.  I got caught in an absurd project, which finally didn't take off. I'd like to make an intense love story with Sridevi and Amitabh.

 

Below: Sridevi on the sets of Mr.India in her Charlie Chaplin avatar

Sridevi as Benazir in Khuda Gawah

 Sridevi as Benazir in Khuda Gawah 

Sridevi on the sets of Laadla

Sridevi on the sets of Laadla - from one of the more powerful scenes in the film. More images in the archive here and here. 

Sridevi in Majaal

Sridevi as a lawyer in Majaal. 
 

Sridevi on the sets of Gurudev

Sridevi on the sets of Gurudev