Regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actresses in the history of Indian cinema, with a career spanning over five decades, many versatile roles, various Filmfare Awards under her belt, and is the highest-paid woman in the Indian Entertainment Industry of the 1980s, and 1990s, Sridevi is a name no one is stranger too.
She was called the “First Female Superstar” of Indian Cinema with her popular roles ranging from slapstick comedy to epic dramas. Sridevi worked in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films, and she was known to nail any character she was put into, whether it was of a mother or a street smart girl.
Born on the 13th of August 1963 at the Meenampatti village near Tamil Nadu, India, Sridevi started her career as a child artist at the age of 4. She began with a Tamil movie Kandan Karunai in 1967 and subsequently went on to play a couple more child artists roles in movies like Thunaivan, Maa Nanna Nirdoshi, Nam Naadu, Babu, Bhakta Kumbara, and Poompatta, a role that won her, her first Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist. After debuting in Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam, Sridevi made her debut as a child artist in the Bollywood movie Rani Mera Naam, directed by K. S. R. Das. But her notable first Bollywood move came as the popular film Julie in 1975 where she played the role of the younger sister to the protagonist.
Sridevi worked as the leading lady of superstars in N.T Rama Rao, Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan, Sivaji Ganesan, and Ambarish. Some of her notable South movies includes Gayathri (1977), Vayathinile (1977), Padaharella Vayasu (1978), Sigappu Rojakkal, Karthika Deepam, Johnny, Kavari Maan, Pilot Premnath, Bobbili Puli, Justice Chowdhary, Aatagadu, Varumayin Niram Sivappu, Aakali Rajyam, Priya, Thulavarsham, Kuttavum Shikshyam amongst others.
Sridevi made her debut as a heroine in Bollywood with Solva Sawan in 1979. Her first breakthrough movie came as 1983’s Himmatwala, starring opposite Jeetendra. The film was one of the highest-grossing films of the year. The film established Sridevi as one of the leading actresses of the industry. Her 1983’s success was followed by her 1984’s Tohfa that turned out to be the highest-grossing film of that year. With the success of back-to-back two highest grosses, Sridevi was declared “Unquestionably #1” by Filmfare magazine on their cover.
People loved the pair of Sridevi and Jeetendra and the pair did 16 films together. Her 1983’s Sadma brought her critical acclamation and she was applauded for her acting in the movie. The movie is considered a milestone in her career. Some of her other famous Bollywood films include Mr. India, Nagina, Chandni, Chaalbaaz, Lamhe, Gumrah, Laadla, Karma, Suhagan, Ghar Sansar, Aulad, Nazrana, amongst others. Sridevi took a break after her movie Judaai, but she made a comeback with English Vinglish in 2012. Unfortunately, her last appearance was in the movie Zero with Shahrukh Khan.
Unfortunately, on 24h of February 2018, Sridevi was pronounced dead in her hotel room in the United Arab Emirates after accidentally drowning in her hotel room’s bathtub. She was in the country to attend her nephew’s birthday. Bollywood industry and nation alike mourned her death through social media and tributes with the Prime Minister of India posting his condolences on Twitter. After the investigation, her body was flown back to India for her final rites. Sridevi was cremated with States Honour and also received a gun salute at her funeral.
Famous not only for her acting but her dancing skills, Sridevi was known to pull people into the movie theatres with her dancing alone. She did popular numbers like Hawaa Hawaai, Naino Mein Sapna, Mai Teri Dushman Tu Mera Dushman, Mere Haathon Mein Nao Nao Chudiya Hai are still considered as a masterpiece of Sridevi’s multi-skilled career.
Sridevi won multiple accolades like National Film Awards, Filmfare South Awards, Nandi Award, Tamil Nadu State Film Award, Kerala State Film Award, four Filmfare Awards including the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2013 Sridevi was honored with Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honor of the country by the government of India. But the long list of awards, accolades, honorary mentions of Sridevi goes on for pages.
On the occasion of Sridevi’s 57th birthday, Saregama celebrates her life and her contributions to Indian Cinema.
Now you can play all your favorite Sridevi songs on Saregama Carvaan. Saregama Carvaan is a portable digital audio player that comes with 5000 preloaded evergreen Hindi songs. It has other features like Bluetooth, FM/AM Radio, USB, and AUX connectivity.