Rare Clip: Mithun Chakraborty talks about dancing with Sridevi

Wow! Rare clip. So much has been written about the complicated, unverified history between two superstars of Bollywood of the 1980s, Mithun Chakraborty and Sridevi. 

This really is a fan clip of Mithun praising the dancing skills and performance of his co-star Sridevi, who he was working with for the first time in Jaag Utha Insan back in 1984. 

While Sridevi ascended to Number One actress status, superstardom like no other female star in India - ever - Mithun chose an alternative path. Despite being a capable actor and dancer, he spiraled down making B to C grade movies in an odd kamikaze spin that defies logic. He appeared in 16 films in 1989 alone - the only blockbuster he had was Guru (1989), the last film he did with Sri. 

His co-stars went from Sridevi, Rekha, Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla to... newcomers who barely had a scintilla of talent or clothing. When you see Mithun da perform in Guru (not the one he did with Sridevi, but the one with Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai), you think, wow, what could have been an exemplarity career of a thespian, he opted to rake in money in mediocre and less-than mediocre films. His Ooty films became a category and cottage industry of its own. Perhaps he had financial constraints and obligations? Who knows.  

Oh well, Bollywood - all that glitz and glamour, from the surreal to the unreal. They have it all... 

And of course, the ethereal Sridevi.

Rare Pics of Sridevi dancing on the sets of Chaalbaaz

Rare Pics of Sridevi dancing on the sets of Chaalbaaz (1989)

#TBT: Rare Pic: Sridevi and Meenakshi Seshadri: Behind the Scenes in Bollywood

Thanks to Movies n Memories for this mega throwback picture of Sridevi and Meenakshi Seshadri on the sets of the much-delayed Hindi film Joshilaay.

The film launched in 1983, the audio was released in 1985, the film finally saw the light of day in 1989! The making of the film could be seen as a comedy of errors [but for the losses incurred by the poor producer!] and a shining example of the rampant disorganisation of Bollywood in that fateful era.

There is a huge archive of features and articles on the film's production hassles - one day we'll sit and scan each page for posterity! While many bemoan the corporatisation of Indian cinema, at least it brought discipline, fiscal responsibility, legal ramifications, contracts, schedules and budgeting into the foray! 

• More images of Meenakshi Sheshadiri with Sridevi over the years here.
• Meenakshi talks about working with Sridevi here.
• Rare pics of Meenakshi Sheshadiri with Sridevi at the Nagina success party here in the archive.

Jeetendra and Sridevi in Sone Pe Suhaga (1988)

From the film Sone Pe Suhaga (1988), Jeetendra and Sridevi. The last film Sridevi did with Jeetendra after several successful pairings on the big screen.

Released in the summer of 1988 (26 August 1988 to be exact), the eight biggest hit of 1988, Sridevi and Jeetendra's final film together culminated with a great signature blockbuster. 

Sensing the audience was getting tired of the pairing, after 16 films together, Sridevi went on to act with stars closer to her age (don't forget Jeetendra, despite looking age-defyingly fit, was 21 years her senior!). If Jeetendra was peeved that his discovery was no longer working with him, he never mentioned it in print. The two remained close - Jeetendra has given several interviews praising his co-star Sridevi - and were seen at a party not long before Sridevi  passed away so tragically and unexpecctedly. 

The films and memories live long... 

 

Sridevi - Dancing Diva

Choreographer Geeta Kapur remembers Sridevi

As a background dancer, ace choreographer to reality TV judge, Geeta Kapur has paid her dues in the challenging world of Bollywood. A star in her own right now, she posted this epic throwback image after she heard the news that Indian icon Sridevi is no more.

@Geetakapur Still waiting for some one to say it’s not true !!! #gonetoosoon #queenofindiancinema #memories #sridevi #irreplaceable #rip (1963-2018) #sadma

Sridevi flanked by Farah Khan and her dancing troupe - that includes Geeta Kapur 

Sridevi and Jeetendra in Tohfa (1984)

Sridevi in Tohfa

Sridevi all bling'd out for the monster hit song 'Gori tere, ang ang mein' from Tohfa (1984). One of the many blockbuster dance numbers she did with Jeetendra.

Released soon after Himmatwala, followed up with this blockbuster, Sridevi quickly ran from obscurity in the Hindi belt to the top rung.  

Released on 3 February 1984. 

Maqsad (1984): Sridevi and Jaya Prada's epic face off on the dance floor

Sridevi and Jaya Prada on the sets of Maqsad (1984).

Unlike the paper war of Madhuri Dixit vs Sridevi (ie it was entirely fabricated by the media), Jaya Prada and Sridevi were as much competitors as they were contemporaries. Jaya Prada took potshots at Sridevi and vice-versa - in fact, recently Jaya Prada made a slight dig at Sri on the TV show Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai, another in a Telugu talk show and one can easily find several unkind quotes in print. We have an archive of all we'll post at a later date. 

With Madhuri Dixit, well, it's a different story. Sri and Madz never really worked together unlike Jaya and Sri. Both refrained from commenting on the other in a negative light despite a lot of goading in the press - for which we have a lot of respect for La Dixit and La Devi! Ramesh 'Sholay' Sippy started working on a film Zameen with Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit circa 1987, but the film was never completed. Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi were even in a scene together but as Dixit said, "We didn't really interact, she was very quiet on the set and a livewire on screen." Jaya Prada and Sridevi worked on several films together and their famed dance-off perfectly encapsulates their working relationship: perfectly professional, but devoid of eye contact! 

Pics here from the song Aajao Aajao Naagraja Tum Aajao. A loud, over-the-top number. But the dance is rather spectacular. Both actresses trying to out-do each other. It would be folly to state who's better - esp as we're obviously the largest Sridevi fan club and our favoritism is clear - but even the harshest critic has to say, Sridevi's more graceful in the number. Right?! For the record both are exceptional dancers. 

 

Jaya Prada, Jeetendra, Waheeda Rehman, Rajesh Khanna and Sridevi