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.  

Sridevi and NTR in Anuraga Devatha (1982)

Young Sridevi 18, with NTR, 58! 

The Telugu hit Anuraga Devatha released back in 1982. A drama directed by T. Rama Rao (Tatineni Rama Rao), produced by Nandamuri Harikrishna under Ramakrishna Cine Studios, it is a remake of the 1980 Hindi blockbuster Aasha, which featured Reena Roy and Jeetendra Everyone remembers the iconic Lata Mangeshkar song from that film, Sheesha ho ya dil ho, an eternal classic. 

Released on 9 January 1982 (some sources mention 7 January), the movie was a commercial hit, part of the successful Sridevi-NTR pairing streak in the early 1980s. 

The age gap between the two, was 40 years; NTR (Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao) was born on 28 May 1923 and Sridevi was born on 13 August 1963! The film was shot primarily in 1981 (ahead of its January 1982 release) and, at that time,  NTR was around 58 years old, while young Sridevi was around 18 years old! Yes, he was indeed older than Sridevi's lawyer-father!! 

Incredibly enough, Anuraga Devatha is fondly recalled for its emotional story, music, and the on-screen chemistry of NTR and Sridevi despite the significant age difference.

Sridevi and the elusive mujra

 

While she did about a dozen rain songs, Sridevi barely did five mujras on film in her ENTIRE career. While Rekha has done... too many to count, its funny how Sridevi rarely attempted to do the dance-form on film. 

A glorious screengrab from a Telugu film of gorgeous Sridevi. 

Queen of Comedy: Sridevi: A Complete Actress Sridevi.

Fearless. Sridevi. 

Shabana Azmi once pointed out, unlike Rekha, Sridevi was unafraid to look silly, impoverished, whatever the role demanded, she did it, whereas, Rekha, even if Rekha was playing a financially-struggling person, had to look perfect on screen. Her makeup was perfect, her saris were elegant. Sridevi threw herself into her role. 

She was our Lucy, Meryl, Julia... 

Vinod Khanna and Sridevi in Zameen: The rarely seen mujra of Sridevi

Vinod Khanna and Sridevi in Zameen: The rarely seen mujra of Sridevi. We have a huge archive of images from the sets of the film that never released here.

Sridevi with Naseeruddin Shah

Above: Sridevi with Naseeruddin Shah on set. Sridevi worked with him in only one other film, the smash hit Karma. Below director Ramesh Sippy with the only film he worked on with Sridevi. Sridevi's wearing heels and meeting Sridevi, was amazed by how tall, graceful and model-like she is in person. 

Rare pic of Ramesh Sippy with Sridevi on the set of the film! 

Sridevi and N. T. Rama Rao in Anuraga Devatha (1982)

 

42 years of  Anuraga Devatha (1982). 40 years her senior, NTR was a cine-legend of such epic proportions back then, this new generation will never fathom his level of fame and popularity. 

Sridevi in the Telugu film Maharajasree Mayagadu (1988)

Sridevi in the Telugu film Maharajasree Mayagadu (1988)
 

Sridevi

Sridevi in.... anyone recognise which film? 

Rare still: Sridevi on the sets of (shelved) film Zameen

Rare still: Sridevi on the sets of (shelved) film Zameen 

More stills from this comedic mujra that was shot back in 1987 with Vinod Khanna is here in the archives.

Sridevi's rare mujra

Sridevi's rare mujra. 

One of the few things she left other actresses to do - Sridevi very rarely played the tragic courtesan or the erotic one. 

Instead, she brought the comedic to the art form... 

 

Happy Birthday to Sridevi's Gair Kanooni co-star: Govinda!

Born the same year as Sridevi, today is Govinda's 58th birthday. 

Co-star of Gair Kanooni, Sridevi and Govinda were so brilliant in the song and dance routines and the intermittent comedy in the film. A surprise hit back in 1989, the much delayed film was released in March '89 and ran to packed houses. Owing to its success and Sridevi's unmatched popularity down south, it was later dubbed in Tamil as Rakkamma Kaiyathattu. 

 

Sridevi and the Mujra in Bollywood

While Meena Kumari brought melancholy, Rekha brought sensuality, Sridevi brought comedy to the form of mujra in Bollywood. 

Sridevi and Vinod Khanna in the Hindi film Zameen

 

Rare pic! Sridevi and Vinod Khanna chilling on the sets of (the now shelved Ramesh Sippy film) Zameen - back in 1987!

Many more pics in the archive - scroll back. 

Sridevi and mujra: Indian actress hams it up with Govinda in Gair Kanooni

While Meena Kumari brought melancholy, Rekha brought sensuality, Sridevi brought comedy to the form of mujra in Bollywood.

Not wanting to usurp the position Rekha had perfected since Umrao Jaan and Muqaddar ka Sikandar, Sridevi didn't want to be compared to her bestie and senior in the industry... so instead of imitating anyone else, Sridevi brought her signature comedic, slapstick and humour to the dance form. Its great fun to watch - esp matching the humour and steps with Govinda in Gair Kanooni. The only film the two did together. Both born in 1963, they were contemporaries, rarely co-stars however.

Not a fav Sridevi film, but it has its moments... It worked at the box-office too and the stars got along fine - so wonder why the two never worked together... 

Sridevi's mujra with Govinda in Gair Kanooni (1989): Comedy King and Queen

Govinda and Sridevi bring on the laughs in the 1980s Hindi flick, Gair Kanooni.

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. 

The real crime here was that the writers and directors didn't utilise the natural comedic skills of the two stars to make a better film. Talk about a wasted opportunity!

The producers ended up making decent returns, despite the long delay in production. 

Govinda spoke extensively with the media after the tragic passing of Sridevi. He, like the rest of the nation, couldn't believe the news...