It is often believed in Bollywood that having a godfather is essential for achieving success in Hindi cinema, but some artists prove this notion wrong with their hard work and talent.
Sridevi Birth Anniversary: August 13th is a special day in the history of Hindi cinema. It was on this day in 1963 that Sridevi was born, known as the first "Lady Superstar" of the Indian film industry. With her unparalleled acting, captivating beauty, and amazing dance skills, she created a niche for herself in Indian cinema that is not easy for any actress to reach.
Started with Tamil Films, Gained Recognition in Bollywood
Sridevi was born in Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, to Sri Ayappan and Rajeswari. Her real name was Sridevi Ayappan. At the tender age of four, she began her acting career as a child artist with the Tamil film Kandan Karunai (1967). After that, she also played child roles in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films.
In 1978, she debuted in Bollywood with Solva Sawan. However, she gained real recognition with Himmatwala in 1983. This film was a super hit, and Sridevi became one of the top actresses in Bollywood overnight.
The Journey of ’India's First Lady Superstar’
In the 1980s and 90s, Sridevi's star was at its peak. Her performances in films like Sadma, Nagina, Mr. India, ChaalBaaz, Lamhe, Khuda Gawah, and Judaai won the hearts of the audience. From the character of a serpent in Nagina to a double role in ChaalBaaz and sensitive acting in Sadma—in every film, she proved her versatile talent.
Her pairing with actor Jeetendra was very popular. Both worked together in 16 films, many of which performed brilliantly at the box office. Films like Mawali, Tohfa, and Suhaagan made her the most successful actress of the 80s.
Awards and Honors
Sridevi received many honors for her contribution. She won five Filmfare Awards and in 2013, the Government of India honored her with the Padma Shri. Her popularity was not limited to India, but she was also appreciated internationally. To immortalize her achievements, her wax statue was installed at Madame Tussauds Museum, which was a moment of pride for her fans.
Personal Life and Comeback After Break
Sridevi married filmmaker Boney Kapoor in 1996. They have two daughters—Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor. After marriage, she took a break from films and focused on giving time to her family. After a long break, she made a grand comeback in 2012 with English Vinglish. In the film, she played the role of an Indian housewife who gains self-respect by learning English. This film was highly praised not only in India but also abroad.
In 2017, her powerful performance in the film Mom once again proved that she can still spread magic on screen. She was posthumously awarded the National Film Award for this film.
Sudden Farewell
Sridevi passed away on February 24, 2018, at the age of 54, in Dubai while attending a family wedding. Her sudden death shocked the entire film industry and fans around the world. Sridevi's career is a testament to the fact that true hard work and talent can compensate for the lack of a godfather. She worked in more than 300 films and made every character memorable in her own style.
