Sridevi in Lamhe (1991): Mohe chehdo na...

Sridevi as the Rajasthani belle Pallavi in Lamhe (1991). There are some versions of Lamhe without the songs Megha re megha and Mohe Chehdo na... and it is a loss for the audience to miss out on expressive, beautiful, graceful Sridevi... and those gorgeous, timeless melodies. 

A Yash Chopra heroine has been presented well innumerable times - think of Rekha, Raakhee, Mumtaz... but Sridevi's performance elevated this entire film.

As repeatedly mentioned in several articles - further bolstered by Shah Rukh Khan no less - Sridevi was Yashji's favourite actress. Of all time. She's ours too. But that goes without saying... 

Yash Chopra's three favourites were Sridevi, Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. Famously Yash Chopra offered Sridevi films after Lamhe too, including Darr. But for reasons best known to her - and only her - she rejected every offer after Lamhe... The timing wasn't right, or the role wasn't on par. When Yash Chopra passed, Sridevi said it felt like she lost her father once again. Some bonds go beyond Bollywood. 

Her white and gold look from the gentle Mohe Chehdo na... 

The golden gown, crown and yellow feathers: The iconic look and accessories of Sridevi as Hawa Hawaii in Mr.India

The golden gown, crown and yellow feathers: The iconic look and accessories of Sridevi as Ms Hawa Hawaii in Mr.India 

Wish she had done a proper photoshoot in this entire look that's become so iconic - god I hate that phrase but its so apt here... 

Sridevi on stage: Morni

 

The photograph, next to the the ai sharpened version of the same image... which doesn't look like Sridevi but according to the app, its close enough!! 

Sridevi wearing her favourite all gold ghaghra choli from Aaja Raadha ko Shaam - but the song she's performing here is Morni, baaga ma bole... 

How do I know this?! I was there in the audience... #Blessed! 

Akshat Rajan with Sridevi

Wonder if this rich young scion next to Sridevi has any idea that's dancing with one of the greats of all time?! 

Who is he? Akshat Rajan is an Indian business scion, angel investor, and entrepreneur who is well-known in both Mumbai's corporate landscape and high-society social circles.

Here is what he is known for:

• Family Background: He is the son of Abhijit Rajan, the Chairman and Managing Director of Gammon India Limited, one of India’s oldest and major infrastructure and construction conglomerates.

• Education & Career: He studied at Tufts University in Massachusetts and later pursued postgraduate studies at Stanford University. Professionally, he works as an angel investor focusing primarily on deep-tech, artificial intelligence, and clean-tech startups (such as backing air-purification startups like Praan), alongside roles tied to startup ecosystems like Stanford Angels & Entrepreneurs India.

• Public Profile: Beyond business and investments, Rajan frequently appears in entertainment and tabloid columns due to his prominent social circle and long-standing ties to the film industry, notably as a close childhood friend of Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor. 

Sridevi was close to the family and there are a few photos of her with him, his sister and his mother. 

Sridevi and Anil Kapoor's publicity stills for Heer Ranjha

Heer Ranjha (1992): September 4, 1992
This is the adaptation starring Sridevi and Anil Kapoor, directed by Harmesh Malhotra. 

Heer Raanjha (1970): June 19, 1970
The critically acclaimed, classic musical starring Raaj Kumar and Priya Rajvansh, directed by Chetan Anand. (Famous for having its entire dialogue written in verse).

Heer Ranjha (1932): 1932
The historic first Punjabi sound film (talkie) ever made, directed by A.R. Kardar.

Heer Ranjha (2009): November 13, 2009 

A Punjabi-language adaptation starring Harbhajan Mann and Neeru Bajwa. 

Fun fact: Renowned filmmakers Imtiaz Ali and Sajid Ali are currently working on a brand-new modern adaptation of Heer Ranjha following their success with the revival of Laila Majnu!!

Sridevi's portrait for Heer Ranjha.

Sridevi: Strike a pose: Dancing pose

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When Sridevi made a return to stage after taking a self-imposed hiatus. Presenting the Best Actor award at Filmfare to Shahrukh Khan for Dil toh Paagal Hai in 1998. 

Dazzling in her favourite kanjeevaram and traditional temple jewellery. 

Janvhi Kapoor: Sridevi: The white and gold Kerala sari

The classic Kerala sari; white with gold border and embroidery. 

Sridevi in her memorable Joy Allukas ad; Janhvi Kapoor, in her  Param Sundari role. 

Sridevi steps in: steps up! Saroj Khan choreographs!

What a magical moment on Indian film... the cast and crew of Mr.India. The dancers and choregorapher Saroj Khan. 

Sridevi

An image from the 90s, Sridevi glam'd up for a magazine shoot. 

 

Sridevi's cover shot from Cine Blitz: August 1991

Sridevi, 28, poses for Ashok Salian. The cover shot of Cine Blitz back in August 1991. The background has been AI modified by... someone. 

The real pics along with the cover story, are in the archive here.

Sridevi's glittering costumes in Himmtwala by Madhav Agasti!

 

A man I had never heard of till earlier this week, film costume designer Madhav Agasti is credited with designing the looks of several movie stars in Mumbai, including Sridevi’s flashy, glittering, and colourful outfits in her first Hindi hit, Himmatwala (1983)! Most famously the vibrant, heavily embellished looks in the song “Naino Mein Sapna” (with the water pots and feather dusters!), the flashy amrapalis and bright dance costumes and glittering accessories bounced off the screen. 

These over-the-top, sparkling ensembles became a signature 1980s, the South Indian masala style that played a big role in Sridevi’s early Hindi cinema stardom. 

Just as Sridevi burst onto the screen in her memorable hit Nainon main sapna, her bright orange, hot pink, diamante studded dance costumes were all vetted to make a lasting, sensual, aesthetic and essentially Indian belle look. 

 

The stylist edit: Golden gals: Divya Bharti, Sridevi

The stylist edit: Golden gals: Divya Bharti, Sridevi 

The symbiotic relationship in career triumphs and personal tragedy. 

Desi bling and Sridevi appropriation! 2026,

Glad she's a fan... but the show is an abomination. Desi Bling is beyond cringe. 

And some of them are fake millionaires, let alone fake billionaires! The level of bad taste in clothes, makeup, jewellery... unique... 

 

Sridevi costume on Indian Reality TV: The knock off versus the OG!

I don't understand why reality TV in India is so bad - and this is next level. And to do it in the guise of Sridevi's Hawa Hawaii costume! The nerve! 

 

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Sridevi

Sridevi on the cover of a Telugu magazine. 

Sridevi's golden dance costume for Nigahein

 

A behind the scenes, on set image from 1989. Sridevi's golden dance costume for Nigahein: Nagina Part II

Think this is the only sequel Sridevi has ever appeared in, Nigahein (with the one note co-star Sunny Deol), opened phenomenally... and then plummeted at the box-office.

 Released just days before Chandni, Sridevi was her slimmest and trimmest in the movie and looks and dances phenomenally. She was all of 25 when she shot the film and peak prowess... 

Her finale dance number could have been a pale version of the original Main Teri Dushman song and dance routine, but it had far more difficult steps and she looked dazzling. 

It's a personal favourite of mine for....no reason other than, Sridevi looking her finest. It's also of-the-time fashion rich; Sridevi's outfits are peak 1980s style - all of which has been archived painstakingly here. 

Stardust: Why has the industry got together to dethrone Sridevi?

Stardust: Why has the industry got together to dethrone Sridevi? 

Why indeed! 

A Stardust magazine cover story. TBH the war was mostly on between Sridevi and the media more than the film industry. Sridevi didn't get for the tabloid press and didn't court editors or writers, and they highlighted her flops and were dismissive of her hits. But she conquered all with sari-clad ease and elegance. 

 

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 Sridevi in costume in the 1980s. 

Sridevi's comical mujra in Gair Kanooni (1989)

In one of the few mujras Sridevi ever did on-screen (unlike say her '80s contemporary Rekha), Sridevi brought a comedic twist to the song Tum Jo Parda Rakhoge in Gair Kanooni (1989). A rare film where she was paired with Govinda (who is the same age as Sridevi but came into the film scene after her), the movie was an average grosser. 

Gair Kanooni was released on March 24, 1989.  This action-comedy directed by Prayag Raj paired Sridevi with Govinda and featured Kimi Katkar, Shashi Kapoor, and Kader Khan in supporting roles, alongside a notable special appearance by Rajinikanth.