The Age of Innocence: Sridevi from age 6 to 19: Child artist, teenage star, leading lady, icon.

Sridevi, age 6

Sridevi, age 19

Sridevi. From age 6 to 19! From Top Left, clockwise, in chronological order till age 19 in Moondram Pirai. 

Sridevi as a child artist in Babu (1971)

Sridevi as a child artist in the Tamil film Babu (1971). Sridevi was a scene stealer in a film studded with superstars Sivaji Ganesan and Vijayasri. Sowcar Janaki acted as Sridevi's mum in the film. Sridevi remained fond of Ms Janaki till the very end.

Sridevi as a child star, as a teenage sensation

Rare pics of Sridevi from her childhood in Tamil and Malayalam movies - and as a teenager. There are a very few - if any in fact - actresses who transitioned from child star to superstar with such ease and with few hiccups along the way.

Unlike many child artists, Sridevi didn't have a tortured childhood, she was no victim of circumstances. There have been a few who's assigned this to her when she has repeatedly refuted the fact. She has said no one pushed her, she had a wonderful childhood, her mother was protective and though she had to sacrifice school, she has no regrets as superstardom awaited her instead.

Sridevi 

Sridevi: Child Star to Leading Lady to Superstar to Legend...

Unlike other child stars - be it in India or Hollywood - who transitioned from the cute-kid on screen phase to adulthood with often difficulty, controversy, public failings and falls, Sridevi segued into superstardom with utter ease. There is no moment or time when she faced a calamitous struggle and 'the hardest working actress' in India climbed the ladder of success without tripping even once. Child star, leading lady, superstar to legend, the iconic pan-Indian actress has a near-mythic biography as its hard to believe how much she did and how much she achieved in her 50 years in the industry.