Celebrating the Legendary Sridevi: From Child Star to Bollywood's First Female Superstar, Unveiling Her Unmatched Talent, Enduring Legacy, and the Magic She Brought to Indian Cinema on Her Birth Anniversary. Monojit Lahiri writes…

Remembering Sridevi on Her Birth Anniversary
Tribute to Bollywood’s First Female Superstar

Bollywood, a dazzling universe where stars are not merely admired but worshipped, often reveals a cruel side—one where the same devotees can swiftly turn their backs when a star's shine fades. Yet, amidst this fickle adoration, there exists a rare breed of stars whose brilliance remains untouched by time or trends. Sridevi, Bollywood's first authentic female superstar, belongs to this elite group. Starting her journey as a child star at the tender age of four, Sridevi's magnetic presence and unparalleled talent lit up the screen in a way that no other could replicate. Whether in the romantic avatars she embodied from a young age or the powerful performances that dominated the 1980s, she consistently broke through the male-dominated industry, making every film she touched unforgettable.

Sridevi’s journey in Hindi cinema is a testament to her genius as an actor. She didn’t merely act; she lived every character, making the audience laugh, cry, and fall in love with her time and again. Her roles in films like Mr. India, Chandni, ChaalBaaz, and Nagina not only overshadowed her male co-stars but also set new benchmarks for what a leading lady could achieve. Her sensuousness, as renowned author Rauf Ahmed described, was of a very special kind—never vulgar, but filled with wild, romantic abandon that made the camera her eternal soulmate. Even in her quieter moments off-camera, Sridevi's shyness and reserved nature contrasted sharply with the vivacious energy she exuded on screen. Her versatility across genres—from the potboilers of the 1980s to the nuanced performances in Sadma and Lamhe—showcased her ability to adapt and excel, solidifying her status as a timeless icon. As I remember Sridevi on her birth anniversary, her legacy continues to inspire and captivate, reminding us of the unforgettable moments she gave us and the indelible mark she left on Indian cinema.

The Early Years: From Child Star to Southern Sensation
Sridevi’s Beginnings in South Indian Cinema

Starting out at age 4 as a child star, Sridevi entered the world of cinema with an enchanting charm that captivated audiences in the Southern states of India. By the age of 10-11, she was already transitioning into more romantic roles, blending irresistible oomph with a playful mischief that became her signature style. Her success across all the Southern states set the stage for her grand entry into Bollywood, where she would soon become a household name.

The Bollywood Breakthrough: A Star is Born
Sridevi’s Iconic Roles in Mr. India, ChaalBaaz, and Nagina*

A hugely successful star across all the Southern states, Sridevi was Bollywood’s first authentic female superstar. The fact is she dominated the 80s when the action was the main draw and heroes were centre stage. Her astonishing performances in Mr. India, ChaalBaaz, and Nagina wiped out the male lead good and proper! In all truth, till date, no one has been able to replicate her mass appeal with audiences, trade, and critics alike. The Chandni and Hawa-Hawai charmer, who didn’t know a word of Hindi when she entered Bollywood, only to race past earlier Southie heavies like Vyjayanthimala and Hema Malini, was truly something phenomenal.

The Versatile Performer: Mastering Every Genre
How Sridevi Dominated the 1980s and Beyond

Renowned author and editor Rauf Ahmed had said that “it was sensuousness of a very special kind. No heroine before Sri ever let go in such uninhibited fashion, in the dance numbers. You see the 'kaante nahin kat-te' body language in Mr. India or the sizzling stuff in a Feroz Khan film—Har Kisiko—in Jaanbaaz, and it shakes you up! There is not one ounce of self-consciousness or vulgarity, only the wild abandon of romance. The super song-dance sequences in ChaalBaaz, Chandni, and Lamhe too, come into the reckoning. Like the legendary Garbo, she and the camera were magical soulmates, lovers, eternally romancing each other in style. The moment the camera was off, she, amazingly, returned to her quiet, shy and reserved self.”

Ahmed had also said that beyond the sensuousness, Sri was also an unmatched talent in the area of versatility. “Don’t forget, she started out with Jumping Jack Jeetu in pot-boilers like Himmatwala, Mawali, Justice Chowdhry, Tohfa etc. They were all films from the South and all very successful. They demanded a kind of loud and hammy performance, which the young aspirant pulled off admirably. A quick learner, she matured in her journey by maintaining an intelligent focus on what her directors wanted from her and how best she could deliver. Never judgmental, be it Yash Chopra’s Lamhe and Chandni, Shekhar Kapoor’s Mr. India and Joshilay or Pankaj Parashar’s ChaalBaaz, she dazzled across all genres. Along the way, she also did a Sadma, inviting startled fans to wonder whether she was for real!”

A Timeless Icon: The Unmatched Legacy of Sridevi
Celebrating Her Influence on Indian Cinema

On this birth anniversary of Sridevi, Bollywood’s first female superstar, I’m celebrating her unmatched talent and enduring legacy in Indian cinema. Sridevi, who began as a child star in South Indian films, stormed into Bollywood with iconic performances establishing herself as a powerhouse performer. Her ability to dominate the male-centric 1980s, coupled with her versatile acting skills, made her a timeless icon. Sridevi’s legacy continues to inspire actors, filmmakers, and audiences, keeping her memory alive in the hearts of millions.

RIP Chandni
Sridevi’s Lasting Impact and Enduring Magic

English Vinglish, directed by Gauri Shinde, was Sri's successful comeback film, putting it down to a talent that is “instinctive, intuitive, spontaneous—a natural! It’s a gift that cannot be acquired through training or whatever. You are blessed with it—or not. Period.”

As we remember this talent today, whose persona and work will always stay with us, one priceless line from one of her early interviews resonates. It reminds me so much of what the legendary Hollywood Director, Sydney Pollack, articulated so succinctly about the art of acting. He said, “Acting has nothing to do with intellectuality. An actor doesn’t need to understand in a conventional way what he’s doing. He has to just do it. It’s critical to make a distinction between a performance that produces behaviour and one that offers intellectual understanding. All effective acting comes from wanting something. It’s what you want that makes you do it, not what you think!”

RIP Chandni. Thanks for the Lamhes spent with you. You are no doubt rocking and Hawa-Hawai-ing the lucky ones in the packed hall above…