Sridevi has been one of the great icons of Hindi and South cinema for almost four decades. Her journey in films started when she was a child artiste and over the years she's managed an enviable career as a leading lady. On her birthday, we bring to you the 10 big highlights of Sridevi's career. Here's why Sridevi is the legend of Indian cinema...
Debut in 1979
Solva Sawan wasn’t the dream debut Sridevi had wished for. Her performance was praised but the film flopped. The young actress got no takers in Hindi cinema so she went back to working in the South.
Making a mark
Sridevi’s gyrations and thrusts in Himmatwala (1983) earned her the sensuous sobriquet of ‘thunder thighs’. Overnight she turned into the sex symbol of Hindi cinema. Sridevi was first featured on a Filmfare cover in 1983. The article spoke of a two horse race to the top between Sridevi and Jaya Prada.
Being on top
Sridevi was being heralded as Rekha’s successor and being compared to earlier superstars like Vyjayanthimala and Hema Malini. But Sridevi was also making headlines for other reasons. Alleged rumours of an affair with Mithun Chakraborty displeased Sridevi in 1984.
Upstaging the heroes
With Mr India in 1987, Sridevi had upstaged her male star Anil Kapoor and established her superiority on star power. Movies like Chaalbaaz (1989) were sold on her star power.
Invincible at the box-office
In 1990, Sridevi’s much-hyped opus with Yash Chopra, Chandni released to a hysterical response. The success of the film made Sridevi the new goddess of cinema. Lamhe (1991) won her more accolades for acting, while she was commanding as much star value as Amitabh Bachchan during the Khuda Gawah phase in 1992.
The downward spiral
1993 was a year of setbacks. Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja, Gumrah and Chandramukhi flopped in succession. Madhuri Dixit’s popularity was on the rise and Sridevi was being called a ‘has been’. But she did salvage her pride with the hit Ladla (1994).
Personal challenges
Sridevi was in the news for her alleged romance with Boney Kapoor. By 1996 Sri suffered a huge setback when her mother passed away due to medical negligence in US. Good friend Boney lent her support. But Sri continued to rubbish claims that they were married. 1997 saw a comeback of sorts for Sridevi with Judaai.
Foiled comeback
In early 2000 Boney Kapoor announced that Sridevi planned to return to the movies. But that was foiled by her second pregnancy as reported in Filmfare.
Foray into television
In 2004 Sridevi returned to the screen with a TV series called Malini Iyer. Her performance on the small screen earned her raves. She followed up with an appearance on Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (2004) and as a judge in the TV show Kaboom (2005).
Best comeback in ages
At 48, Sridevi made a flawless comeback with Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish in 2012. Such was her performance that it never looked like she'd left the silver screen. In the four years since, she's managed to hog the limelight with her growing popularity and her effortless glamour at public events. She's even had a mixed-reception with the Tamil release Puli (2015). Now all eyes are on her upcoming home production called Mom.
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