Sridevi and Vinod Khanna in Pathar Ke Insan (1990)

 

Sridevi and Vinod Khanna in Pathar Ke Insan (1990) 

Released just weeks after the runaway success of Chandni, great expectations were, however, not met when the film opened. 

When Sridevi's appearance caused the accidental death of three: Ram Gopal Varma Posts

Sigh. 

Deep breath.

Ram Gopal Varma, the enfante terrible of Indian cinema, occasionally comes out with the right comment, often at the wrong time. 

However, on the rare occasion that I agree with what he says... 

Sridevi's popularity in the 1980s in the south would be unfathomable to the current crop of wannabes.  What she achieved in her tender lifetime remains unsurmountable. 

Allu Arjun being arrested for an accident that happened elsewhere is just bizarre.  

Left: Sridevi in Kshana Kshanam (1991). 

Sridevi

A still from Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin, one of the better picturised songs in the 90s film - that released a decade after launch.

The movie has the rare distinction (or infamy!) of being released when it wasn't completed or with the consent of either of its leads. The complicated history of the film here.

Sridevi in the Telugu blockbuster Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990)

 

Sridevi in the Telugu blockbuster Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990)

Sridevi in Mr.India (1987)

 Sridevi in Mr.India (1987) 

Sridevi

Sridevi in Chaand Ka Tukdaa 

It really tests the patience of even the most ardent Sridevi fan... 

So pretty she looked in many parts in the film though. 

 

Prem, Prem Chopra with Sridevi

The fabulous character actor, be it villain or comedian, Prem Chopra turns 87 today. Here he is with Sridevi in one of the six films they did together; Mawaali.

 

Teary-eyed Sridevi in Judaai

Sridevi was all of 34 when she did Judaai back in 1997. The siren call to retire had already been set by the writers and editors of film magazines. Ageist, sexist Mumbai hacks were on a rampage around that time writing scathing editorials - the same women who are now walking around with feminist tags slapped on their forehead now as Raveena Tandon rightfully points out in a recent podcast. 

All the leading ladies of note today are well into their 30s; Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Kareen Kapoor etc etc. 

As Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turns 50 later this year, she's just given her career's finest performance and biggest blockbuster of the times in PS2. 

Now those scathing editorials have muted but the common man, well, his unqualified opinions are now on Twitter, Instagram and other forms of social media. The erudite isn't the loudest sadly, but the village idiot is. I mean, misinformation is in such a state, the village idiot can become an American President. cough cough. Trump cough cough. 

What next? Rakhi Sawant the PM? Kamal R Khan as President? Perish the thought. 

#Kalyug 

 

Sridevi surprised! Still and screengrab from Waqt ki Awaz (1988)

 Sridevi surprised! Still and screengrab from Waqt ki Awaz (1988)

Sridevi in Chaand kaa Tukdaa

Sridevi in Chaand kaa Tukdaa

 

Sridevi, age 8 in movie: Born to Act: Indian Icon: Cine Legend

 Sridevi, age 8 in movie: Born to Act: Indian Icon: Cine Legend 

Sridevi in white

Gorgeous Sridevi on the sets of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja