Sridevi: Roop ki Rani set in full Japanese avatar: Kimono and makeup to perfection

 

Sridevi as Princess in Roop ki Rani Choron Ka Raja: Not all cultural appropriation is created equal.

Sridevi... really looks like a porcelain doll here. An incredible comic performance, lost in the haze of the film's disastrous box-office. There are several parts in the film that stand out for its comedic verve, action (the train scene), musical numbers... 

And this bit of cultural appropriation. And I'm going to straight up pilfer from my favourite YouTuber and deep diver, writer, Lindsay Ellis, who wrote, and I quote, "And yeah, this, this is a form of cultural appropriation... The fact that cultural appropriation is in theory a neutral term leads to a lot of false equivalencies, i.e. why is this form of cultural appropriation okay, but Gwen Stefani dressing as a sexy warrior is not okay. Well, it's a complex issue and there is a lot of intersection over race and class and gender, but here is a general rule of thumb: if it is a culture that was historically exploited by colonialism appropriating a historically colonizing culture, no harm, no foul. No one gets mad at Mexico for appropriating elements of German culture.... If it is a historically colonialist culture appropriating a culture that was exploited by colonialism, then people start to get a little cranky. Obviously there are intersections and complexities, but for simplicity's sake I'll leave it there for now. But I think most people would agree that unlike something like Pocahontas or even Slumdog Millionaire, a movie which pretty much every Indian I've ever talked to is not a fan of, this kind of cultural appropriation is basically harmless. This is what I mean by cultural appropriation being a neutral term. Not all cultural appropriation is created equal."

The character (one of several in Roop ki Rani Choron Ka Raja), Sridevi plays in the scene to steal the priceless artefact, while competing with fellow thief essayed by Anil Kapoor, is not in any way or measure making fun of or deriding anyone, any country, culture or its people. As royalty, in the most exquisite, painstakingly created makeup look created by the magician that is Mickey Contractor, Sridevi got the style, exquisite and expensive wardrobe (Neeta Lulla styled), mannerisms, tone and that cheeky giggle right, done to perfection for the sake of a genuinely funny scene. Comparing it to Mickey Rooney's Yunioshi in Breakfast at Tiffany's is a stretch, inaccurate and wildly out of place as intention is key here. No one had an agenda to punch down to the people of "Cheenchpokli," an entirely fictional state and, in the fictional Bollywooden realm of musical fantasy. No harm, no foul. 

All comedy is subjective and we've got to look back at the early 90s for what it was, pre-woke, pre self reflection and pre snowflake trigger response of getting offended at the drop of a hat. When the film was orignally released, no one was crying foul over the depiction of anyone in the movie - mostly because the film tanked and barely ran at the box-office. People couldn't be offended by things they didn't see! However, having found new lease in life on OTT platform, upon rewatch, some snowflakes have found just about everything in the film offensive. A trigger response with little thought or genuine empathy to a makeshift cause. We can't all weaponise our feelings and vomit it out on Twitter when the engagement online is low.... 

Take several seats. To quote Wendy Williams. 

Sridevi in her most elaborate costume: Iconic comedic performance

Sridevi in her most elaborate costume: Iconic comedic performance 

The effort and transformation is beyond; exquisite Sridevi in Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja. 

More images from this Japanese costumed look in the archives here. 

Sridevi in a kimono in the Telugu film Maharajasri Mayagadu (1988)

 Sridevi in a kimono in the Telugu film Maharajasri Mayagadu (1988)

Krishna and Sridevi in the Telugu film Maharajasri Mayagadu (1988): Sridevi's kimono look!

Krishna and Sridevi in the Telugu film Maharajasri Mayagadu (1988): Sridevi's kimono look! 
 

TBT: 1988 Advertising: Sridevi models for Videocon Picture in Picture (PIP!)

TBT to 1988! 

Sridevi models for Videocon Picture in Picture (PIP!)!

It was cutting edge technology back then. 

Keen eyed observers will note, the look Sridevi has is from her own Telugu film, Maharajasri Mayagadu (1988). 

 

Sridevi as a Japanese Princess: Exquisite in a kimono

Sridevi as a Japanese Princess: Exquisite 

in a kimono 

Click to enlarge the centrefold... 

Sridevi in a kimono for a Telugu film with Krishna: Maharajasri Mayagadu (1988)

 

Sridevi in a kimono for the Telugu film Maharajasri Mayagadu (1988) with Krishna. 

Above: Rare pic of Sridevi on the sets of Maharajasri Mayagadu

Above: Rare pics of Sridevi and Krishna on the film set of the Telugu film. 

Anil Kapoor and Sridevi: Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja stills

 Anil Kapoor and Sridevi: Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja stills

Neeta Lulla on working with Sridevi in Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja

Designer Neeta Lulla who worked with Sridevi for over a decade, reflects on the time they collaborated in Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja. She posted earlier today;

"Chai me chini song was shot in Famous studio for a span of 8 days. I traveled to Singapore to procure accessories and fabric for this costume. We embroidered the huge dragon on the kimono sleeves in zardosi and stone work. The Obi belt was constructed with a light sponge quilting made in a brocade with osmanthus motifs. The slippers were hand made by me sticking 5 layers of Bata rubble chappals together, painting them and sticking embroidery motifs on them as those kind of slippers were not available then. The fan was hand made with embroidery on brocade and fused with a strong canvas and wiring...

Mickey contractor was doing the makeup for her [Sridevi] for this song, to achieve the eyes he had to stick in tape from the side of her eyes to the temple and then work his makeup. By the end of the fourth day of shoot the skin had peeled and yet she did the makeup and shot for the entire 8 days. The entire look was a very strenuous one but she carried it with such ease.

She had a professionalism which was absolutely inspirational. . .

@sridevi.kapoor #BoneyKapoor #LaxmiKantPyarelal #SatishKaushik . #Bollywood #SriDevi #RoopKiRaniChoronKaRaja #1993 #NeetaLulla #MovieFashion #IndianFilms #CostumeDesign #BollywoodStyle #BollywoodSongs #BollywoodActors #Trending #Celebrity #BollywoodLovers #Bollywoodlife #Movies #BollywoodStars #Actor #Actors #Covid19 #BollywoodTrivia #Staysafe #Style #Maestro #BollywoodFashion #IndianCinema #FashionTrivia

Sridevi in a kimono in Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja

Makeup artist Mickey Contractor, "My special assignment of giving her [Sridevi] a Japanese geisha look for a dance number in Roop Ki Rani.. only proved the patience and hard work Sri is willing to put into a make-over."

Sridevi's incredible INCREDIBLE transformation for Roop Ki Rani, Choron Ka Raja.

Sridevi's Japanese Incarnation: Perfection

Long before the debate on cultural appropriation, Sridevi as a Japanese princess in Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja. All arguments on one side, on the other, the sheer perfection of Sridevi's look (take a bow Mickey Contractor) and performance.

Sri's metamorphosis is incredible.

Anil Kapoor in blackface and Sridevi's Japanese makeup: Master and Mistress of Disguise in Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja

Sridevi. The master of... well, mistress of disguise. Her stunning transformation in Roop Ki Rani... What an incredible feat and a stellar comedic performance.

Master makeup artist Mickey Contractor worked his magic in completely transforming Sridevi - its a work of art.

The Japanese doll / princess routine is priceless. Sridevi's just too damn good. 

Sridevi in Japan: Bollywood superstar promotes English Vinglish in Tokyo

Sridevi Boney Kapoor ‏@SrideviBKapoor 2h

"Sushi Devis" pic.twitter.com/xyhY4fvmxD

Too cute. Well, three cute!


Sridevi Boney Kapoor ‏@SrideviBKapoor 16h


Me with my husband & my dolls in Tokyo. pic.twitter.com/jdGwJcKf5z


This is of course not the first time Sridevi has adorned a gorgeous kimono. See previous post of Sri as a princess in Roop Ki Rani... where she looks like the living doll that she is. Gorgeous snaps by Rakesh Shreshta in the archive. 

click to enlarge

Jhanvi, Sridevi and Khushi Kapoor.
Indian actress Sridevi snapped with daughters in Japan

Flashback: 

Sridevi in a kimono for an advert in the 1980s and her memorable scene in Roop Ki Rani, Choron Ka Raja - in the '90s and in a Telugu film.