Sridevi (Tamil: ஸ்ரீதேவி), is an Indian actress who has starred in hundreds of Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam language films.
She started acting at the age of four, and made her debut as an adult in the early 80s. She went on to establish herself as one of the leading actresses of her time. Although she left the industry in 1997, she is regarded by the industry members as one of the most talented and prominent actresses of India.
Sridevi was born in a Telugu family in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. Her father Ayyapan, was a lawyer, and her mother's name was Rajeswari. Sridevi has a sister, Srilatha. She has two step brothers Satish and Anand from her father's previous marriage.
Career
Sridevi started her career as a child artist in the Tamil movie Kandhan Karunai[1] (1967) and acted in many Tamil and Telugu movies. During her early adult career, she acted in a number of Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam movies. Many of her Malayalam movies were directed by I. V. Sasi. Some examples of her notable Malayalam movies are: Aadhyapaadam, Aalinganam, Kuttavum Sikshaiyum, Aa Nimisham. In 1976, she got her first big break as a heroine in K. Balachander's Moondru Mudichu, where she starred opposite Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth. In many ways, this movie was a landmark in Tamil filmdom. It was also one of Rajnikanth's first major movies.
After Moondru Mudhchu, Sridevi had a succession of hits with both these Tamil superstars. With Kamal Haasan, she acted in movies such as Guru, Sankarlal, Sigappu Rojakkal, Thaayillamal Naanillai, Meendum Kokila, Vaazhve Maayam, Varumaiyin Niram Sigappu, Neela Malargal, Moondram Pirai, 16 Vayathinile. With Rajnikanth, she acted in movies such as Dharmayuddham, Priya, Pokkiri Raja, Thanikattu Raja, 'Adutha Varisu, Nan Adimai Illai, etc. She was the most successful actress in Tamil cinema during the period 1979-83.
During the same time, Sridevi made inroads into Telugu language movies. She acted opposite major actors in that industry. A number of her Telugu movies were made by K. Raghavendra Rao. With N. T. Rama Rao, she acted in movies such as Konda Veeti Simham, Vetagadu, Sardar Paparayudu and Bobbili Puli. With A. Nageswara Rao, she acted in movies such as Mudulla Koduku, Premabhishekham, Bangaru Kanku, Premakanuka etc. With Krishna she acted in movies such as Kanchu Kagada, Kalavari Samsaram, Krishnavatharam, Borripellum Bolludu, Khaidi Rudrayya etc. After Kamal Haasan, Sridevi has acted the most number of movies with Krishna. Towards the tail end of her Telugu career, she started acting in Hindi movies. Many of her initial Hindi movies starred Jeetendra and were remakes of her Telugu movies, mostly directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, and K. Bappaiah.
In 1978, she starred in her first Hindi film, Solva Saawan which failed at the box office. However, her second movie, Himmatwala, went on to be a big success and established her status in Bollywood. The film also earned her the famous nickname Thunder Thighs. The film made Jeetendra and Sridevi a popular pair with the audiences and the duo went on to star in several hits like Tohfa, Mawaali and Justice Chaudhry. In 1983, Sridevi starred opposite Kamal Hasan in the critically acclaimed drama Sadma, which is often cited by critics as the most definitive child-woman performance of Sridevi's career. The film earned Sridevi her first Filmfare nomination for Best Actress. In 1984 Sridevi ventured into art film Jaag Utha Insan starring opposite Mithun Chakraborty; the film did not succeed at the box office but received some critical recognition.
Throughout the decade, Sridevi starred in a series of box office hits which established her as the leading Indian actress of the eighties. Nagina released in 1986 was one of her biggest hits. It established her as an actress who can carry a film as a solo protagonist. The film is remembered for her iconic snake-dance sequence in the climax. In that same year, she starred in the hit films Karma, Aakhree Raasta and Ghar Sansar. Her film Suhagan won critical acclaim and the film did average business at the box office. Shekhar Kapur's blockbuster hit Mr. India in 1987 won rave reviews and her comic-timing was praised. Prominent sequences in the film are Sridevi's imitation of Charlie Chaplin and her rain-dance. The film also won her nicknames like "Hawa Hawai", the name of a popular song in the film, and "Miss India".
She also achieved another acclaimed performance in Aulad. Her performance as a street dancer who becomes a tormented mother had a moderate box office success. She also had another successful film to her credit Jawab Hum Denge. In 1988, she had a hit film with Mithun Chakraborty, Waqt Ki Awaaz, and a fine performance in Sherni which failed at the box office. Sridevi had 4 hits in 1989 as a leading lady. One of these films, Ghair Khanooni, is where she plays opposite of Govinda, another Indian actor. Her next film, Nigahen, was not as successful, but made good money at the box office. Then came a low-budget superhit film, Chaalbaaz, in which her double-role as twin sisters won her the first Hindi Filmfare Best Actress Award. The same year brought Yash Chopra's poetic fairy-tale blockbuster, Chandni, which earned her another nomination at the Filmfare Awards. Sridevi's dances in the film became a favorite as did her white costumes.
Yash Chopra again directed her in the path-breaking modern day classic, Lamhe (1991), where Sridevi's sensitive, intense double-role act as mother and daughter immortalized her in Hindi Cinema. It also won her a second Hindi Filmfare Best Actress Award. The film was also a huge success with the overseas audiences, winning Sridevi international acclaim.
She followed it with another acclaimed performances in Khuda Gawah (1992), where her double role performance as a pining Afghan wife, opposite Amitabh Bachchan won her her fifth Filmfare nomination and had a reasonable taking at the Box office. The Telugu film Kshana Kshanam released same year was a huge blockbuster; and afforded her a fourth Filmfare Best Actress Award and a Nandi Awards. It was also redubbed as Hairaan for Bollywood version. The failure of the multi-million Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja proved to be a major setback but Sridevi followed it with a lifetime critical acclaimed performance as an innocent victim trapped in a Hong Kong prison in Mahesh Bhatt's Gumrah, winning another Filmfare nomination, The film did moderately at the Box Office. Laadla, released in 1994, saw Sridevi playing her first negative role. The film earned her critical acclaim, box office success, and yet another Filmfare nomination. She is one of the few Bollywood actresses who dictated terms and for whom exclusive roles were written.
For her performance in the drama Judaai (1997), she got her eighth Filmfare nomination and Box Office hit and after which she left the industry to marry filmmaker Boney Kapoor and raise her two daughters, Jhanvi and Khushi. Sridevi is currently retired from acting. She worked with all the veteran actors like MGR (child appearance),Sivaji Ganesan, N.T.RamaRao,Nageshwara Rao, Amitabh Bachan , RajiniKanth, Kamalhassan and many leading actors in Hindi, Tamil,Telugu, Malayalam industry. She is the only heroine acted with Kamalhassan for more than 25 films.
After a six-year hiatus, Sridevi returned to the small screen, briefly, in the popular Sahara sitcom Malini Iyer (2004-2005). She also appeared on Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai for Karishma Kapoor (2004) and as a judge in the TV show Kaboom (2005). She is a member of the Board of Directors at the Asian Academy of Film and Television. She performed a medley of some of her most popular music at the 52nd Filmfare Awards 2007.
Personal life
Sridevi married film producer Boney Kapoor on June 2, 1996. Boney and his first wife Mona Shourie Kapoor had accommodated Sridevi in their home during Sridevi's stay in Mumbai. At that time Boney and Mona had been married for several years and had two children Arjun and Anshula. Mona Kapoor stayed in Boney Kapoor's parents home for 10 years after the divorce to give her children a sense of family. Boney Kapoor and Sridevi have two daughters: Jhanvi and Khushi. Through her husband she is related to the large Surinder Kapoor film clan (see List of Bollywood film clans). Actor Anil Kapoor, her co-star in a number films, is her brother-in-law.
Her father died while she was filming Lamhe, her mother while she was making Judaai. Although it is the Hindu custom that the son lights the funeral pyre, Sridevi lit the pyre for her mother's last rites.
She started acting at the age of four, and made her debut as an adult in the early 80s. She went on to establish herself as one of the leading actresses of her time. Although she left the industry in 1997, she is regarded by the industry members as one of the most talented and prominent actresses of India.
Sridevi was born in a Telugu family in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu. Her father Ayyapan, was a lawyer, and her mother's name was Rajeswari. Sridevi has a sister, Srilatha. She has two step brothers Satish and Anand from her father's previous marriage.
Career
Sridevi started her career as a child artist in the Tamil movie Kandhan Karunai[1] (1967) and acted in many Tamil and Telugu movies. During her early adult career, she acted in a number of Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam movies. Many of her Malayalam movies were directed by I. V. Sasi. Some examples of her notable Malayalam movies are: Aadhyapaadam, Aalinganam, Kuttavum Sikshaiyum, Aa Nimisham. In 1976, she got her first big break as a heroine in K. Balachander's Moondru Mudichu, where she starred opposite Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth. In many ways, this movie was a landmark in Tamil filmdom. It was also one of Rajnikanth's first major movies.
After Moondru Mudhchu, Sridevi had a succession of hits with both these Tamil superstars. With Kamal Haasan, she acted in movies such as Guru, Sankarlal, Sigappu Rojakkal, Thaayillamal Naanillai, Meendum Kokila, Vaazhve Maayam, Varumaiyin Niram Sigappu, Neela Malargal, Moondram Pirai, 16 Vayathinile. With Rajnikanth, she acted in movies such as Dharmayuddham, Priya, Pokkiri Raja, Thanikattu Raja, 'Adutha Varisu, Nan Adimai Illai, etc. She was the most successful actress in Tamil cinema during the period 1979-83.
During the same time, Sridevi made inroads into Telugu language movies. She acted opposite major actors in that industry. A number of her Telugu movies were made by K. Raghavendra Rao. With N. T. Rama Rao, she acted in movies such as Konda Veeti Simham, Vetagadu, Sardar Paparayudu and Bobbili Puli. With A. Nageswara Rao, she acted in movies such as Mudulla Koduku, Premabhishekham, Bangaru Kanku, Premakanuka etc. With Krishna she acted in movies such as Kanchu Kagada, Kalavari Samsaram, Krishnavatharam, Borripellum Bolludu, Khaidi Rudrayya etc. After Kamal Haasan, Sridevi has acted the most number of movies with Krishna. Towards the tail end of her Telugu career, she started acting in Hindi movies. Many of her initial Hindi movies starred Jeetendra and were remakes of her Telugu movies, mostly directed by K. Raghavendra Rao, and K. Bappaiah.
In 1978, she starred in her first Hindi film, Solva Saawan which failed at the box office. However, her second movie, Himmatwala, went on to be a big success and established her status in Bollywood. The film also earned her the famous nickname Thunder Thighs. The film made Jeetendra and Sridevi a popular pair with the audiences and the duo went on to star in several hits like Tohfa, Mawaali and Justice Chaudhry. In 1983, Sridevi starred opposite Kamal Hasan in the critically acclaimed drama Sadma, which is often cited by critics as the most definitive child-woman performance of Sridevi's career. The film earned Sridevi her first Filmfare nomination for Best Actress. In 1984 Sridevi ventured into art film Jaag Utha Insan starring opposite Mithun Chakraborty; the film did not succeed at the box office but received some critical recognition.
Throughout the decade, Sridevi starred in a series of box office hits which established her as the leading Indian actress of the eighties. Nagina released in 1986 was one of her biggest hits. It established her as an actress who can carry a film as a solo protagonist. The film is remembered for her iconic snake-dance sequence in the climax. In that same year, she starred in the hit films Karma, Aakhree Raasta and Ghar Sansar. Her film Suhagan won critical acclaim and the film did average business at the box office. Shekhar Kapur's blockbuster hit Mr. India in 1987 won rave reviews and her comic-timing was praised. Prominent sequences in the film are Sridevi's imitation of Charlie Chaplin and her rain-dance. The film also won her nicknames like "Hawa Hawai", the name of a popular song in the film, and "Miss India".
She also achieved another acclaimed performance in Aulad. Her performance as a street dancer who becomes a tormented mother had a moderate box office success. She also had another successful film to her credit Jawab Hum Denge. In 1988, she had a hit film with Mithun Chakraborty, Waqt Ki Awaaz, and a fine performance in Sherni which failed at the box office. Sridevi had 4 hits in 1989 as a leading lady. One of these films, Ghair Khanooni, is where she plays opposite of Govinda, another Indian actor. Her next film, Nigahen, was not as successful, but made good money at the box office. Then came a low-budget superhit film, Chaalbaaz, in which her double-role as twin sisters won her the first Hindi Filmfare Best Actress Award. The same year brought Yash Chopra's poetic fairy-tale blockbuster, Chandni, which earned her another nomination at the Filmfare Awards. Sridevi's dances in the film became a favorite as did her white costumes.
Yash Chopra again directed her in the path-breaking modern day classic, Lamhe (1991), where Sridevi's sensitive, intense double-role act as mother and daughter immortalized her in Hindi Cinema. It also won her a second Hindi Filmfare Best Actress Award. The film was also a huge success with the overseas audiences, winning Sridevi international acclaim.
She followed it with another acclaimed performances in Khuda Gawah (1992), where her double role performance as a pining Afghan wife, opposite Amitabh Bachchan won her her fifth Filmfare nomination and had a reasonable taking at the Box office. The Telugu film Kshana Kshanam released same year was a huge blockbuster; and afforded her a fourth Filmfare Best Actress Award and a Nandi Awards. It was also redubbed as Hairaan for Bollywood version. The failure of the multi-million Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja proved to be a major setback but Sridevi followed it with a lifetime critical acclaimed performance as an innocent victim trapped in a Hong Kong prison in Mahesh Bhatt's Gumrah, winning another Filmfare nomination, The film did moderately at the Box Office. Laadla, released in 1994, saw Sridevi playing her first negative role. The film earned her critical acclaim, box office success, and yet another Filmfare nomination. She is one of the few Bollywood actresses who dictated terms and for whom exclusive roles were written.
For her performance in the drama Judaai (1997), she got her eighth Filmfare nomination and Box Office hit and after which she left the industry to marry filmmaker Boney Kapoor and raise her two daughters, Jhanvi and Khushi. Sridevi is currently retired from acting. She worked with all the veteran actors like MGR (child appearance),Sivaji Ganesan, N.T.RamaRao,Nageshwara Rao, Amitabh Bachan , RajiniKanth, Kamalhassan and many leading actors in Hindi, Tamil,Telugu, Malayalam industry. She is the only heroine acted with Kamalhassan for more than 25 films.
After a six-year hiatus, Sridevi returned to the small screen, briefly, in the popular Sahara sitcom Malini Iyer (2004-2005). She also appeared on Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai for Karishma Kapoor (2004) and as a judge in the TV show Kaboom (2005). She is a member of the Board of Directors at the Asian Academy of Film and Television. She performed a medley of some of her most popular music at the 52nd Filmfare Awards 2007.
Personal life
Sridevi married film producer Boney Kapoor on June 2, 1996. Boney and his first wife Mona Shourie Kapoor had accommodated Sridevi in their home during Sridevi's stay in Mumbai. At that time Boney and Mona had been married for several years and had two children Arjun and Anshula. Mona Kapoor stayed in Boney Kapoor's parents home for 10 years after the divorce to give her children a sense of family. Boney Kapoor and Sridevi have two daughters: Jhanvi and Khushi. Through her husband she is related to the large Surinder Kapoor film clan (see List of Bollywood film clans). Actor Anil Kapoor, her co-star in a number films, is her brother-in-law.
Her father died while she was filming Lamhe, her mother while she was making Judaai. Although it is the Hindu custom that the son lights the funeral pyre, Sridevi lit the pyre for her mother's last rites.
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