Revision as of 19:14, 14 August 2014

The now-legendary river-crossing scene in Pathinaaru Vayathinile enabled Sridevi to announce her soon-to-be-famous ‘thunder thighs.’

Sridevi: Lesser Known Facts

Pakalil Oru Iravu: By now Sridevi’s ‘thunder thighs’ had been declared as national assets.

The Times of India

Sridevi was born on 13th of August, 1963. She was named Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan on birth. She is the first female actress to have bagged the 'superstar' tag. She started her career at the age of four in Thirumugham's devotional film Thunaivan. She also acted as a child [teenage] artist in 1975's most talked about film 'Julie'. She made her Bollywood debut as a lead star with the film 'Solva Saavan' in 1978.

Her fourth film as a heroine Pathinaaru (16) Vayathinile (Solwa Sawan in Hindi-Urdu) (1977) was not only a major commercial and criticalhit, it focussed totally on her, title onwards. The film was about the vulnerability of a 16-year-old women in love. That Pathinaaru Vayathinile enabled Sridevi to show off her soon-to-be-famous thunder thighs helped propel the film to nationwide success—and Sridevi to star status within a year of her debut as a leading lady.

With films like Himmatwala, Tohfa, Mr India, Chandni, Nagina, Sadma; Sridevi emerged as the top star in the country. Jaya Prada was considered Sridevi's strongest contender at that point of time. Their fierce competition was one of the worst kept secrets ever. As per a report in IMDB, during the shoot of Maqsad both the actresses would never see eye to eye. Rajesh Khanna and Jeetendra then had to lock the two actresses in a room hoping this would break the ice. But when the door was opened after two hours, they both were sitting in two corners silently.

Sridevi was the first choice for Indra Kumar's 'Beta'. She was to star opposite Anil Kapoor in the movie. But she had already done a number of films with Anil Kapoor and thus declined the offer. The role then went to Madhuri Dixit. The 'Dhak Dhak' song and her powerful role made Madhuri a superstar overnight.

Sridevi was also considered for a role in Jurassic Park. Steven Spielberg wanted to cast Sridevi for a brief role. But she was at the peak of her career in Bollywood then and rejected the offer. Taking up a Hollywood project would have meant a long break from Bollywood and she was not ready to lose out on her Bollywood projects because of this.

Sridevi was director duo Abbas Mustan's first choice to play the female lead in their movie Baazigar. At that point of time, Seema and Priya were supposed to be twins. And Sridevi was supposed to play a double role (Seema and Priya) in the movie. But the directors felt that killing Sridevi would only make Shah Rukh emerge as a villain. They wanted the audience to sympathise with SRK's character and thus they had to bring relatively unknown actresses to play the part. Kajol and Shilpa Shetty eventually took up the role.

During the 80s, Sridevi was allegedly dating Disco King Mithun Chakraborty. The two were also rumoured to have secretly tied the knot in a temple. As per a report in Daily Bhaskar, the actress was not aware of Mithun's marital status and when she realised that he was not going to end his marriage with Yogita Bali, she walked out of his life. Yogita Bali is said to have tried commiting suicide after she got to know of this episode. Sridevi and Mithun never spoke about any of this in open.

It was during this period that Sridevi's affair with Boney Kapoor started making news. Sridevi carried her broken heart to the Kapoors who in turn offered her to stay with them. While nursing her broken heart Sridevi fell in love with Boney Kapoor. But Arjun Kapoor's mother Mona had no clue of what was going on in her house. In an interiew with DNA, Mona Kapoor said, "There was nothing left in the relationship to give it a chance because Sridevi was already with a child. Their rishta was kayam".

Jeetendra and Sridevi emerged as the most popular couple of their times. The duo was paired romantically opposite each other in 16 films, out of which 11 films were superhit. Films like Himmatwala, Ghar Sansaar, Tohfa, Mawwali established them as the most bankable couple of the decade. Sridevi was also the highest paid Hindi actress from 1985-1992.

When she made her debut in Bollywood, Sridevi was not comfortable talking in Hindi. Her voice was mostly dubbed by Naaz and Rekha had dubbed for her in Aakhiri Raasta. She dubbed her dialogues for the first time in Chandni. While Rekha was the original choice for Chandni, Jaya Prada had intially been offered Nagina. Both the films added to Sridevi's versatality and helped her in growing a strong foothold in the industry.

Sridevi has two daughters named after two famous Bollywood characters - Jhanvi and Khushi. In 2013, the Government of India awarded her the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honor. She was also voted 'India's Greatest Actress in 100 Years' in a CNN-IBN national poll conducted in 2013 on the occasion of the Centenary of Indian Cinema. She has also won 5 Filmfare Awards for Best Actress in a leading role. Lamhe, Chalbaaz and Mr India were three of them, rest two were regional films.

Filmography as an actress

Sridevi in

Sridevi never acted in a black and white film.

Sridevi in

Sridevi in

Sridevi in

Sridevi in

Sridevi in

Sridevi in

Sridevi at age fifty plus

Sridevi in Himmatwala: Naino Mein Sapna

Sridevi in Chandni: Mere Haathon Mein

Sridevi in Lamhe (1991)

Sridevi in Lamhe (1991)

Sridevi in Mr India (1987): Kaate Nahi Kat Te

: Sridevi in Mr India (1987): Hawa Hawai

Sridevi in Khuda Gawah (1992): Tu Na Jaa Mere Baadshah

Sridevi at age fifty plus

Sridevi at age fifty plus

The lady on the left is the 50+ mother, and the one on the right, Jhanvi, the daughter

Tamil cinema

As a child artist

Kandhan Karunai (1967)

Nam Naadu (1969)

Thunaivan (1969)

Babu (1971)

Kanimuthu Paapa (1972)

Vasantha Maaligai (1972)

Bharatha Vilas (1973)

Prarthanai (1973)

Thirumangalyam (1974)

Engal Kuladheivam (1974)

Avalukku Nihar Avale (1974)

As a leading lady

Moondru Mudichu (1976) (First film as heroine)

Gayathri (1977)

Kavikkuyil (1977)

16 Vayathinile (1977)

Sayndhadamma Sayndhadu (1977)

Vanakkaththukkuriya Kaadhaliye (1978)

Ilaya Rani Rajalakshmi (1978)

Ganga Yamuna Kaveri (1978)

Ithu Eppadi Irukku (1978)

Machanai Partheengala (1978)

Manitharil Iththanai Nirangala (1978)

Mudisooda Mannan (1978)

Pilot Premnath (1978)

Sigappu Rojakkal (1978)

Taxi Driver (1978)

Priya (1978)

Kannan Oru Kai Kuzhandhai (1978)

Rajavuukeththa Rani (1978)

Sakka Podu Podu Raja (1978) (Guest appearance)

Arumbugal (1979)

Dharmayuddham (1979)

Kalyanaraman (1979)

Pagalil Or Iravu (1979)

Kavariman (1979)

Neela Malargal (1979)

Naan Oru Kai Parkiren (1979)

Pattakathi Bhairavan (1979)

Sigappukkal Mookkuthi (1979)

Lakshmi (1979)

Thaayillaamal Naanillai (1979)

Guru (1980)

Johnny (1980)

Varumaiyin Niram Sigappu (1980)

Viswaroopam (1980)

Balanagamma (1981)

Sankarlal (1981)

Dheiyva Thirumanangal (1981)

Shankarlal (1981)

Meendum Kokila (1981)

Raanuva Veeran (1981)

Moondram Pirai (1982)

Deviyin Thirivilaiyadal (1982)

Thanikkattu Raja (1982)

Pokkiri Raja (1982)

Vaazhve Maayam (1982)

Vanjam (1982)

Adutha Vaarisu (1983)

Santhippu (1983)

Meenakshiyin Thiruvilaiyaadal (1985)

Naan Adimai Illai (1986)

Bhaarya biddalu (1971) (As child actor)

Nenu Manishine (1971) (As child actor)

Badi Panthulu (1972) (As child actor)

Bala Bharatam (1972) (As child actor)

Bhakta Tukaram (1973) (As child actor)

Yashoda Krishna (1975) (As child actor)

Bangarakka (1977) (First Telugu movie as heroine)

Padaharella Vayasu (1978)

Burripalem Bolludu (1979)

Karthika Deepam (1979)

Mudulla Koduku (1979)

Vetagadu (1979)

Aatagadu (1980)

Chuttalunnaru Jagratha (1980)

Devudu Ichchina Koduku (1980)

Gharana Donga (1980)

Mama Allulla Saval (1980)

Premakanuka (1980)

Rowdy Ramudu Konte Krishnudu (1980)

Sardar Paparayudu (1980)

Gaja Donga (1980)

CID (1980)

Mosagadu (1980)

Patagadu (1980)

Balanagamma (1981)

Bhoga Bhagyalu (1981)

Gharana Gangulu (1981)

Gadasari Atta Sugasari Kodalu (1981)

Kondaveeti Simham (1981)

Premabhishekam (1981)

Ranikasula Rangamma (1981)

Illalu (1981)

Satyam Sivam (1981)

Aadi Vishnulu (1982)

Anuraga Devata (1982)

Bangaru Bhoomi (1982)

Bangaru Koduku (1982)

Bobbili Puli (1982)

Devata (1982)

Justice Chowdary (1982)

Kalavari Samsaram (1982)

Krisharjunulu (1982)

Krishnavatharam (1982)

Samsher Shankar (1982)

Vayyari Bhamalu Vagalamari Bharthalu (1982)

Adavi Simhalu (1983)

Kirayi Kotigadu (1983)

Mundadugu (1983)

Ramarajyamlo Bheemaraju (1983)

Ramudu Kadu Krishnudu (1983)

Simham Navindi (1983)

Sri Ranganeetalu (1983)

Urantha Sankranthi (1983)

Kanchu Kagada (1984)

Kodethrachu (1984)

Vajrayudham (1985)

Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnulu (1985)

Pachani Kapuram (1985)

Jayam Manade (1986)

Khaidi Rudrayya (1986)

Makutamleni Maharaju (1987)

Mavoori Magaadu (1987)

Aakhari Poratam (1988)

Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari (1990)

Kshana Kshanam (1991)

Govinda Govinda(1993)

S.P.Parshuram (1994)

In Hindi-Urdu

Julie (1975) (as the heroine’s younger sister)

Solva Sawan (1978)

Himmatwala (1983)

Justice Chowdhary (1983)

Jaani Dost (1983)

Mawaali (1983)

Kalakaar (1983)

Sadma (1983)

Akalmand (1984)

Inquilaab (1984)

Jaag Utha Insaan (1984)

Naya Kadam (1984)

Maqsad (1984)

Tohfa (1984)

Balidaan (1985)

Sarfarosh (1985)

Masterji (1985)

Aakhree Raasta (1986)

Aag Aur Shola (1986)

Bhagwan Dada (1986)

Dharam Adhikari (1986)

Ghar Sansar (1986)

Nagina (1986)

Karma (1986)

Suhaagan (1986)

Sultanat (1986)

Janbaaz (1986)

Aulaad (1987)

Himmat Aur Mehnat (1987)

Nazrana (1987)

Majaal (1987)

Joshilay (1987)

Watan Ke Rakhwale (1987)

Jawab Hum Denge (1987)

Mr. India (1987)

Sherni (1988)

Ram Avtaar (1988)

Waqt Ki Awaaz (1988)

Sone Pe Suhagaa (1988)

Chaalbaaz (1989)

Chandni (1989)

Guru (1989)

Gair Kanooni (1989)

Nigahein (1989)

Nakabandi (1990)

Main Tera Dushman (1989) (Cameo)

Banjaran (1991)

Farishtay (1991)

Pathar Ke Insaan (1991)

Lamhe (1991)

Khuda Gawah (1992)

Heer Ranjha (1992)

Aasman Se Gira (1992) (Cameo)

Gumrah (1993)

Gurudev (1993)

Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993)

Chandramukhi (1993)

Chaand Ka Tukdaa (1994)

Laadla (1994)

Army (1996)

Mr Bechara (1996)

Kaun Sacha Kaun Jhootha (1997)

Judaai (1997)

Meri Biwi Ka Jawab Nahin (2004)

Halla Bol (2008) (Cameo as herself)