Death of the Chandni of Bollywood has not only shocked India but Pakistan as well. She was not just an actress but the woman who brought smiles to our faces and tears as well throughout her 50 years of working in films.
She started acting when she was 4:
She made her Bollywood debut as a child artist in the film Julie and played her first adult role at the age of 13 in the Tamil film Moondru Mudichu. Thereafter she worked in Tamil and Telugu films as lead actress. In Bollywood, she played her first lead role in Solva Sawan. As a child actress, Sridevi won Kerala State Film Award for Best Child Artist for her performance in Poombatta in 1971.
Here are 8 of her films we would love to remember her legacy by:
Mom (2017)
Her last performance was one of her best. She played the role of a woman who is out to avenge a horrific crime against her daughter. Sridevi infused Devki with a vulnerability and rage that made Mom so much more than a revenge saga. Starring Sajal Aly as her daughter and Adnan Siddiqui as her husband, this film was a hit in Pakistan.
Enlgish Vinglish (2012)
Sridevi made a comeback to the big screen in English Vinglish. She played Shashi, a homemaker who is mocked by her family for her poor English language skills. Sridevi was seen in a completely different role. Shashi enrolls for a course and discovers the power of self-worth. With minimal make-up – she looked beautiful without it – she played a very real and relatable character.
Lamhe (1991)
Sridevi played a double role in Yash Raj’s film Lamhe and won a Filmfare Award for best actress. Portraying both mother and daughter in this generational love story, Sridevi, showcased her formidable acting skills.
Chandni (1989)
Another Yash Chopra film, and the one we all remember her by usually, Sridevi played the titular role in Chandni with a vulnerability and vim that was rarely seen on screen during that period of Hindi cinema. Transforming from a bubbly girl to a spurned, hurting woman, she aced it every bit of the way. And the ‘Chandni look’ set several fashion trends. Not to mention, the song ‘Chandni‘ still plays in our heads!
Chaalbaaz (1989)
Another double role for Sridevi – but a different one from her Lamhe. A classic comedy-drama around twin sisters – the timid Anju and the street smart Manju – Chaalbaaz won Sridevi another Filmfare Award. The Filmfare magazine ranked her performance at 4th in its list of ’80 Iconic Performances of Hindi Cinema’, saying: “Sridevi’s penchant for giggles and her ability to look distinctly tearful when required polishes these performances to perfection. Hell, she made Sunny Deol and Rajnikanth look like sidekicks in the film.”
Mr India (1987)
Sridevi played a journalist in this iconic sci-fi/superhero film and was a delight throughout the film. The film showcased her skills as a comic actor like no other and we can never forget her imitation of Charlie Chaplin – it is perhaps one of her most remembered scenes in Hindi cinema. Sridevi won a Filmfare special award for this one as well.
Nagina (1986)
Sridevi bagged another Filmfare for Nagina. A cult classic, Sridevi played a ‘nagini’ who takes human form to avenge her partner’s death. It became the biggest blockbuster of the year and was probably one of the first to prove that female stars too could ensure a hit on their own. Remember the iconic Main Teri Dushman dance?
Sadma (1983)
Sadma was truly Sridevi at her very, very best. Sridevi infused her character with incomparable love, innocence and vulnerability. It’s probably one of the very few films in which one is forced to look away from co-star Kamal Haasan. The performance won her another Filmfare. We heard Kareena and Ranveer will star in the remake of Sadma, but we also heard Kareena did not agree to do it.
Honestly, we’d love to watch each and every one of these movies again, even if their remakes come out!
Which one is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!
