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Sridevi

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Sridevi Kapoor, known professionally by her mononym Sridevi, was a transformative figure in Indian cinema.

Sridevi07
Sridevi07

She is often cited as the "first female superstar" of the Indian film industry. Her career was remarkable for its immense longevity, spanning more than 50 years. Sridevi worked across multiple linguistic landscapes, appearing in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada language films. While she was known to be a reticent and introverted person in her private life, her on-screen persona was often headstrong and outspoken. She frequently portrayed strong-willed women, a trait that helped her command the screen.

Madhuri & Sridevi
Madhuri & Sridevi

Sridevi's professional journey began in childhood, showing an early aptitude for the craft. She made her debut at the age of four in the 1967 Tamil film Kandhan Karunai. Her breakthrough as a child artist came in the 1969 mythological Tamil film Thunaivan, where she played the role of young Muruga. The actress Sowcar Janaki noted that Sridevi's sharp features and sparkling eyes were perfect for the role. She continued to build her skills through various regional films, including her Malayalam debut in Kumara Sambhavam in 1969. By 1972, she had even made her debut in Bollywood, the Hindi-language film industry, with the film Rani Mera Naam. Her transition from child roles to adult lead roles began in 1976 at age 13 in the Tamil film Moondru Mudichu.

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Sridevi established herself as a leading star in South Indian cinema. She appeared in a vast number of Telugu films, totaling 95 throughout her career. In Tamil cinema, she worked with major stars like Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth, appearing in notable films such as 16 Vayathinile and Moondram Pirai. Her performance in Moondram Pirai was particularly significant, as she played a woman suffering from retrograde amnesia. This role earned her the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress. She also found success in Malayalam cinema, winning the Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist for her work in Poompatta.

Sridevi's transition to Hindi cinema, or Bollywood, marked a period of massive commercial success. Although she had a starring role in Solva Sawan in 1979, it was the 1983 action film Himmatwala that established her as a major star. This film was one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of that year. She followed this with the 1984 hit Tohfa, which was the highest-grossing Hindi film of its year. During this era, she formed successful professional pairings with actors like Jeetendra and Rajesh Khanna. Filmfare magazine even declared her "Unquestionably #1" on its cover, reflecting her massive popularity.

Sridevi, Boney Kapoor at Esha Deol's wedding reception 02
Sridevi, Boney Kapoor at Esha Deol's wedding reception 02

Her ability to navigate different genres allowed her to rival the most famous male actors of her time. In 1986, the snake fantasy film Nagina was released, featuring her as a shape-shifting woman. This film was the second highest-grossing movie of 1986 and cemented her status as the biggest female star of the decade. She could rival icons like Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra in terms of box-office power. In 1987, she starred in the science fiction hit Mr. India, where she played a character that many felt should have been named "Ms. India." In this film, she demonstrated incredible comedic range, including an imitation of Charlie Chaplin. For her work in Mr. India, she commanded ₹1.1 million, making her the highest-paid Indian actress at that time.

Sridevi's talent was recognized through numerous prestigious accolades throughout her life. She received a National Film Award, seven Filmfare Awards, and several state-level awards from Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Her Filmfare honors included a Lifetime Achievement Award as well as multiple Best Actress awards. In 2013, the Indian government honored her with the Padma Shri, which is the country's fourth highest civilian honor.

The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Shree Award to Smt. Sridevi Kapoor, at an Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on April 05, 2013
The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Shree Award to Smt. Sridevi Kapoor, at an Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on April 05, 2013

Even in her later years, she continued to receive critical acclaim. Her 2012 return to film in English Vinglish and her 300th and final role in the crime thriller Mom were both highly praised. For her performance in Mom, she was posthumously awarded the National Film Award for Best Actress.

Sridevi's life ended in February 2018. She was found dead in her guest room at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers Hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The cause of death was cited as accidental drowning. Her passing was reported extensively by both Indian and international media. She was married to film producer Boney Kapoor, and they had two daughters, Janhvi and Khushi Kapoor, who are also actresses.

Sridevi January 2018
Sridevi January 2018

Her legacy remains tied to her ability to master diverse roles, from the comedic to the deeply dramatic, across many different cultures and languages.

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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Madhuri & Sridevi.jpg
Madhuri & Sridevi.jpg
File:English Vinglish shooting 03.jpg
English Vinglish shooting 03.jpg
File:Sridevi07.jpg
Sridevi07.jpg
File:Sridevi January 2018.jpg
Sridevi January 2018.jpg
File:Sridevi, Boney Kapoor at Esha Deol's wedding reception 02.jpg
Sridevi, Boney Kapoor at Esha Deol's...
File:The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Shree Award to Smt. Sridevi Kapoor, at an Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on April 05, 2013.jpg
The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee...
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