Sanjay Dutt with Sridevi in Gumrah

Sanjay Dutt with Sridevi in Gumrah
 

Mayapuri: Sridevi's fringe in the early 90s

I had a friend Salman from PK who loved this fringe shoot - a version of this was on the cover of MOVIE magazine in 1990. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Sridevi experimented with looks, styles, hair, makeup often... to make a usually tedious shoot more interesting and creative! 

You can see outtakes from this cover shoot in the archive here and here.

Rare photo of Sridevi on the sets of Gumrah

 Gorgeous Sridevi ont eh sets of Gumrah. 

The feathers, the colours, the wig, the makeup: Sridevi in Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja

Let's be clear, this is a costume - this is not how Sridevi dressed in her off-time. One of the many, manyyyyy elaborate costumes and looks Sridevi wore in the grandiose Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja. An ignoble fiasco of a film... 

Many parts of the film I loved - and unsurprisingly, all those featured Sridevi. 

This is one of her dancer costumes in a pivotal scene at the end of the title song when her character steals a diamond necklace off Bindu! She's gloriously funny in it. 

Sridevi in 1987: Cover shoot for Cine Blitz

Non exclusive cover shoots are such an anachronism in media now. A cover shoot that published in Cine Blitz... and then again, images from that very shoot found in several other magazines is so weird to behold today. This would never happen - well, as magazines circle the drain... but even before, shoots were done elusively for titles and not meant to be shared. 

Originally published in July of 1987, Sridevi's rocking a wig, accessories and the bulky fashion of its time. And yes, we are aware this is Sridevi's heavy years - but she lost the weight by the end of 1988. The critics were after her - body shaming was the trend - and she went on drastic diets. And really body shaming exists across the board in social media - the anonymous and often weirdly religious duds and dudes comment freely on men and women. Well, mostly women. The comments sections in social media of most people is a dustbin of trash opinions of the lesser intellect... 

Sridevi in Gurudev

Sridevi's look for a song and dance routine in Gurudev. 

The ear clip and short wig, leather jacket and makeup... well... It's a look. I'll say that... 

And that's all I'll say.... 

I mean, Sri's still cute. 

Released on September 3, 1993, the movie with Sridevi, Anil Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor opened huge, but the film directed by Vinod Mehra [who tragically passed away mid-production and the film was completed by his friend].... was no great shakes. 

RD Burman's songs were fun. Aasha Bhosle sang all the songs for Sridevi. 

 

Chaalbaaz (1989): Sridevi whips everyone into shape

Sridevi in Chaalbaaz. Powerful on screen - and off! 

Sridevi has mostly essayed roles of empowered women, from the whip carrying diva in Himmatwala, to the gun-totting Sherni, to Manju, the take-no-nonsense spitfire in Chaalbaaz.

She was a firecracker off screen too; refusing roles where the hero had all the glory, fighting with film producers in court, taking no nonsense from the press, rude questions were shut down quickly, if a choreographer gave a step she wasn't comfortable with, she put paparaazi in their place! She certainly was unmovable when it came to remuneration and when it came to clocking out on time when her shift was done! 

No one puts Sri baby on the side. 

Suniel Shetty with Sridevi: Photoshoot for Bodyguard!

 

Born on 11 August 1961, Suniel Shetty was two years older than Sridevi, but by the time he made his debut on film, Balwaan in 1992, Sridevi had already done over 100 films and was the reigning queen of pan-Indian cinema! 

There was some discussion in the early 90s of re-making Bodyguard in Hindi with Sanjay "Kaante" Gupta at the helm, but sadly, it never came to fruition. 

Today, the actor -- and living emblem of health and fitness -- turns 65! Officially a senior citizen but he still looks like he's 32. Bless him. 

There are 20-year-olds that are not this healthy! 

Happy Birthday Anna! 

Remembering Sridevi: Gorgeous Indian actress in Gumrah

 

Dharma's Sridevi tribute - with a still from Gumrah. On this day, Gumrah released to wide acclaim for Sridevi. 

On August 3, 1993, exactly 33 years ago today, Mahesh Bhatt’s intense action-crime drama Gumrah hit Indian theatres. Produced by Yash Johar under the Dharma Productions banner, the film remains one of the most memorable thrillers of the 1990s, anchored by brilliant performances and an edge-of-the-seat escape plot.

Gumrah emerged as a major commercial success at the box office. Earning around ₹12 crore worldwide, it became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 1993, proving to be a profitable venture for Dharma Productions despite releasing during a turbulent phase in Bollywood.

The film received widespread praise from critics and audiences alike.

• Sridevi’s Masterclass: Critics singled out Sridevi’s performance as Roshni Chadha, praising her emotional range, from a naïve aspiring singer to an incarcerated woman fighting for survival. Her role earned her a nomination for Best Actress at the 39th Filmfare Awards.

• Sanjay Dutt’s Screen Presence: Sanjay Dutt’s portrayal of Jaggu, the fiercely loyal petty thief who aids Roshni's prison break, won immense audience love for his effortless charm and intensity.

• Mahesh Bhatt’s Direction: Critics applauded Bhatt’s sleek direction and tight narrative pace, adapting the core premise from the Australian miniseries Bangkok Hilton with a distinctly Indian emotional core.

Key Highlights

• Iconic Duo: The crackling screen chemistry between Sridevi and Sanjay Dutt became the film's biggest selling point. The ONLY film Sridevi worked with Sanjay Dutt in. 

• Memorable Soundtrack: Composed by Laxmikant–Pyarelal with lyrics by Anand Bakshi, tracks like "Jabse main zara sa badnaam" and "Tere pyar ko salaam" became massive chartbusters.

• High-Stakes Thrills: The harrowing foreign-prison setting and thrilling jailbreak sequence set a new benchmark for Hindi action thrillers in the early '90s.

• Sridevi's consistent look with her bob-cut, power suits and natural no makeup look in the second half was talked about in print and press. The Bhatts - Mukesh and Mahesh - stated that Sridevi was an 'acting machine', who worked so hard despite already being the Number One star, proving her worth in salt. Be it fever, ill health, personal tragedies, she left everything at the door and worked hard, clocking in and out without diluting interest in the work she had to do. Much to the detriment of her physical and mental health. 

Gumrah: Sanjay Dutt and Sridevi's 90s hit!

Gumrah: Sanjay Dutt and Sridevi's 90s hit!

Sridevi on the sets of Chaalbaaz

The wig, the blue prom dress from 1989 - from one of the funniest scenes in the film Chaalbaaz. "Iske upar pura ka pura tanpura gir gaya..." 

Sri, the banker and Anupam Kher were so damn funny! 
 

Sridevi in Gurudev

 Sridevi being oh-so-cute in Gurudev. 

Rare pics: Sridevi on the sets of Gumrah

Rare pics: Sridevi on the sets of Gumrah

The look is so distinct for the film. 

Sridevi in Laadla: Her Tina Turner Wig et Al

Sridevi on the sets of Laadla. Sridevi looks great... despite the awful costume, wig and stylin'... 

Filmfare in Hindi: Sridevi dominated the cover

 

Sridevi on the cover of Filmfare, the Hindi edition. 

Filmfare was huge in the 1980s, it was bi-monthly, ie two issue a month, not two issues a year! It had Hindi version. Middle East version... The media dominated. Today... not so much. 

The gatekeepers are no longer the behemoths and omniscient omnipotent ones they used to be. 

Sridevi with Anang Desi in the film Gumrah (1993)

Today, we honour actor Anang Desai (born 4 May 1953) who turns 73 today!  Seen here with iconic Indian actress Sridevi in the film Gumrah, a mini bio of the veteran actor;

A veteran Indian film, television, and theatre actor, best known for his iconic portrayal of the patriarch Tulsidas Parekh (Babuji) in the popular Hindi sitcom Khichdi (2002) and its film adaptation, a quick look at his enduring career in the entertainment industry.

Born in Ahmedabad, (Gujarat), India, into a well-to-do family—his father was a cardiologist and his mother a singer and painter—Desai showed an early interest in acting and singing. He graduated with a BA in Psychology and Economics from St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad, before training at the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, and FTII, Pune. He spent over five years with NSD’s professional repertory company, performing extensively in Hindi theatre productions such as Mukhya Mantri, Tughlaq, and Virasat. A trained Hindustani classical singer, he also worked at All India Radio in Ahmedabad.

Desai made his film debut in 1982 with Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi, playing Indian independence leader J.B. Kripalani. His career spans character roles in numerous Hindi films, often as doctors, judges, fathers, or authority figures. He has appeared in over 70 films, including notable ones like Parinda (1989), Aashiqui (1990), Gumrah (1993), Yaadein (2001), Tere Naam (2003), Baghban (2003), Rustom (2016) as Judge Patel, and Khichdi: The Movie (2010). He has also worked in Gujarati cinema (Kevi Rite Jaish, Jaysuk Zdpayo) and even a French film!

On television, he has featured in more than 100 shows - his calm, dignified screen presence and versatility have made him a respected figure in both mainstream and parallel cinema.

Married to poet and writer Chitra Desai, the couple has two sons. Desai’s journey from Gujarati roots and intensive theatre training to becoming a household name exemplifies dedication and quiet excellence in Indian entertainment. He continues to work in films and TV, including recent projects like Khichdi 2 and Kaagaz 2

TBT: Stardust February 1989: How Sridevi took a Kiss to Court!

 TBT: Stardust February 1989: How Sridevi took a Kiss to Court! 

Rahul Roy with Sridevi in Gumrah

Rahul Roy with Sridevi in Gumrah

Born on 9 Feb 1966, Rahul Roy was just three years younger than Sridevi. He turns 59 today. 

We have a massive archive of images of Rahul Roy with Sridevi over the years here.

Sridevi in 1989: Promoting Cine Blitz magazine while shooting Chaalbaaz

Sridevi, 26, promoting Cine Blitz magazine back in 1989! The accessories, the short wig, the clothes - ardent fans will remember this look from her sublime performance in Chaalbaaz. 

Sad to report that it looks like Cine Blitz, which seemed unbeatable in the 1980s and early 1990s, seems to have closed shop as well. 

Filmfare is the last bastion standing... but for how long?! 

Sridevi and Sanjay Dutt in Gumrah

 Sridevi and Sanjay Dutt in Gumrah