Sridevi in Telugu cinema

 

Young Sridevi, 18, in the Telugu smash hit Devatha. 

Remembering Sridevi's first Hindi film: Solva Saawan! With co-star Amol Palekar who is 80!

I know of very few people who have seen Sridevi's first Hindi film as a leading lady, the notorious flop Solwa Saawan which released back in the day... 47 years ago, ie on 22 January 1979! 

With co-star, the fine actor/now director Amol Palekar who was 19 years older than her, When Sridevi was working in the film, she was 15 and the movie was a remake of Bharathiraja's own Tamil film 16 Vayathinile (1977), which also starred Sridevi, who reprised the role in all its remakes. In Stardust, in jest she had written that she found remakes boring to do... unless the movie was a hit!  

Solwa Saawan had great music and decent performances across the board but, in truth, the film is only remembered for the distinction it had - it marked Sridevi's debut as a heroine in Hindi cinema following an already successful and established career in South Indian cinema spanning Tamil and Telugu films (and somewhat in Malayalam). Unlike the original, the film was a critical and commercial failure which Sridevi spoke of briefly. Sridevi had the utmost respect and admiration for her senior co-star, the gentle and gifted Amol Palekar, who just turned 80 last November. He spoke of the shock of losing Sridevi in earlier press interactions.   

Both Amol and Sridevi spoke well of each other - as icons recognise each other! 

Sridevi and Kamal Haasan in 16 Vayathinile: Released 48 years ago today!

Some iconic stills of Sridevi and Kamal Haasan from a career defining film of three would-be superstars; Sridevi, Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth. 16 Vayathinile was released on 15 September 1977, the Tamil romantic drama was co-written and directed by Bharathirajaa in his exceptional directorial debut. The film focuses on the strengths and vulnerabilities of Mayil (Sridevi), a 16-year-old schoolgirl, and the challenges she faces and overcomes.

The film was originally titled Mayil, which would have been Sridevi's first title role - but was later changed. 

16 Vayathinile became the first Tamil film to be shot predominantly outdoors; Tamil films were primarily filmed in Madras studios. Its soundtrack album and background score were composed by the great Ilaiyaraaja. 

Sridevi herself was just 14 when she shot the film - a film called At the Age of 16!

Sridevi with Shatrughan Sinha in Sherni

The baritone one turns 79! Actor turned politician Shatrughan Sinha turns 79 today-- a vocal supporter of Sridevi from the early days, he has praised her to the skies since they were costars in 1988 in the Hindi film Sherni! We wish the actor well on his birthday. 

 

Sridevi in and as Sherni (1988)

The way algorithms work on the net, the first Sherni that comes up is the newer Vidya Balan film that released in 2021. For Sridevi fans of course, there's only one Sherni, her 1988 Harmesh--Nagina--Malhotra producer/director-made film. To be honest, Vidya's movie is much better, more thoughtful and a far more serious movie compared to the ill-executed predecessor, Sherni with Sridevi. Sridevi herself disliked the film and almost never spoke about it. Most of the budget went on her fees, not in the writing, cinematography, costumes, dances, music or... well, you get the gist.

There are several moments were Sridevi shines in scenes and songs but she was greater than the film she was in, trying to rescue a losing battle. Alas.

Online legend has it--and lets take that with a pinch of salt--that the film started long before Nagina but was going nowhere and shelved. Nagina became a surprise blockbuster which suddenly made the proposition of Sherni (with almost the exact same team), a more exciting proposition for exhibitors and a rushed job hit the cinemas.  
 

 

Sridevi and Jeetendra's Tohfa poster

 

Sridevi in and as Sherni (1988)

Released on 13 May 1988, Sherni had Leonine Sridevi in the title role.  

As a village belle protagonist who takes revenge against the dacait antagonists, Sridevi rarely played victim and showed agency both in professional, personal and cine-life. She didn't need rescuing on the big-screen often, she took up arms to defend herself. 

TBH not a great film by any measure but a movie running on the steam of a young 25-year-old superstar had its moments. 

Sridevi on the sets of Zameen: The Village Belle look

 

Sridevi on the sets of Zameen: The village belle look that she had in several movies. 

We have quite a few pics of Sridevi from the Ramesh Sippy film in the archive here.

Sridevi being oh so cute in Tohfa as Jeetendra looks on

 Sridevi being oh so cute in Tohfa as Jeetendra looks on 

Gorgeous Sridevi in Tohfa: The biggest hit of 1984!

Sridevi as the innocent village belle who transforms into a worldly woman is a trope she played often. 

The gorgeous actress seen here in a still from Tohfa - the biggest hit of 1984. 

On imdb.com, the film exhibitors and distributors quotes state what a rage the movie was when the film released on February 3, 1984!  Be it the songs, the pre-publicity stunts, the young cast and new crew, everything worked being at the right place at the right time. 

 

Rare photo: Sridevi on set with director Harmesh Malhotra

Rare photo: Sridevi in costume on set with director Harmesh Malhotra. Most probably on the sets of Sherni - to be confirmed... 

Sridevi on the sets of Zameen: Ramesh Sippy's only film with Sridevi

Sridevi on the sets of Zameen: Ramesh Sippy's only film with Sridevi 

We have many pics in the archive here.

Gorgeous, gorgeous Sridevi in Kirayi Kotigadu (1983)

 Sridevi. 

 She was sooooooooooo beautiful. 

Gorgeous, gorgeous Sridevi in the Telugu film Kirayi Kotigadu (1983) 

ANR and Sridevi in ​​the Telugu film Prema Kanuka (1981)

 

ANR and Sridevi in ​​the Telugu film Prema Kanuka (1981)

ANR was 39 years older than Sridevi - and her costar in several films. 

Icons of 1980s Bollywood: Jaya Prada, Jeetendra, Sridevi

Icons of 1980s Bollywood: Jaya Prada, Jeetendra, Sridevi. As Jeetendra said famously, "Sridevi and Jaya Prada were my bread and butter!" and my he held them close to heart for the decade. 

Sridevi with Lalita Pawar in Ghar Sansar (1986)

Sridevi with Lalita Pawar in Ghar Sansar (1986)

Title Role: Sridevi in and as Sherni (1988)

Title Role: Sridevi in and as Sherni (1988)

Style file: Stylist edit: The village belle look: Rekha, Sridevi

Style file: Stylist edit: The village belle look: Rekha, Sridevi 

Same same, but different. 

• Stylist edit: Sridevi and Madhuri Dixit here
• Stylist edit: Sridevi and Hema Malini here
• Stylist edit: Sridevi and Rekha here

Sridevi on the sets of Sherni (1988)

Released on May 13, 1988 (ie this day 36 years ago) after a long delay in production, Sridevi was not happy with the final result of Sherni. It has its moments but overall.. it was a mess. Personally, not a huge fan of the film but it has its takers - including Sonakshi Singha. 

Sridevi in the Telugu film Kirayi Kotigaadu (1983)

Sridevi, 20, in the Telugu film Kirayi Kotigaadu (1983)